Gorzelanny has strong outing

By MIKE HENRY
mhenry@bradenton.com

BRADENTON -- Left-hander Tom Gorzelanny is on schedule to start the Pirates' regular-season opener March 31 in Atlanta.
But with two additional spring-training starts to come, the Bradenton resident is not getting overly excited about making the first Opening Day start of his career.
"When they say pitch, I'll pitch," Gorzelanny said after limiting the Red Sox to three hits and one run -- Dustin Pedroia's first-inning home run -- today at McKechnie Field.
"If I do get it, it will be awesome, and I'll be totally honored. But I'll be honored to pitch any other day," he said.
Gorzelanny (14-10 last season with a 3.88 ERA) had sharp control, walking one batter and striking out Manny Ramirez twice with fastballs. He needed only 49 pitches.
Gorzelanny had to throw up his glove quickly to spear Alex Cora's line drive in front of his face in the third inning, but that and Pedroia's homer were the only hard-hit balls.
"It was good to get my work in, face some hitters and work on my stuff," said Gorzelanny, who last pitched Tuesday in a simulated game. "It's an added bonus when you can face some really good hitters.
"I feel like I'm making strides to where I want to be. I felt good today, and I want to keep getting my pitches and my innings up and I'll be right where I want to be when the season starts."