Pirate Notebook

By JOHN LEMBO
jlembo@bradenton.com

ST . PETERSBURG – Matt Morris was victimized by some poor fielding and a pair of big innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates lost to the Tampa Bay Rays 13-4 Monday at Al Lang Field. Morris allowed eight runs, seven earned, and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings. Nyjer Morgan had two hits and Chris Gomez had two RBIs for the Pirates, who are now 9-16. The Rays, who have one more game left at Al Lang Field, are now 16-5.

BEYOND THE NUMBERS: While Morris didn’t do much to soften his spring stats – his record slumped to 0-3 while his ERA ballooned to 9.64 – Pirate manager John Russell was pleased with the veteran starter.
“I thought he threw much better (Monday),” Russell said. “It was a nice outing for him. Plus, we got to stretch him out a little bit.”
The Pirates didn’t do much to help him. After Akinori Iwamura reached on a bunt single in the fifth, second baseman Luis Rivas bobbled a double-play ball off the bat of Carl Crawford. Carlos Pena followed by hitting a wind-blown, three-run home run to left, giving the Rays a 5-2 lead.
In the sixth, a pop-up by Shawn Riggans fell between catcher Ronny Paulino and third baseman Jose Bautista. Originally ruled an error, Riggans was later credited with a single, and the Rays went on to score three more runs.
Morris, who has earned a spot in Pittsburgh’s starting rotation, has allowed 20 earned runs in 18 2/3 innings this spring – numbers which mean little to Russell.
“We tell the guys at the beginning of the spring, it’s not so much result-oriented,” he said. “We look at how they’re progressing, and (Morris) has been progressing better each outing, so that’s what you’re looking for.”

STREAK SNAPPED: Reliever Franquelis Osoria’s unblemished spring came to an end at the hands of the Rays.
Unscored upon in his first five outings (five innings), Osoria gave up five earned runs in 2/3 of an inning, taking his ERA from 0.00 to 7.94.
Osoria faced five batters Monday, and allowed five hits, issued a walk and served up a home run to Reid Brignac.
Opponents were hitting .125 off Osoria, who was elevating his sinker, Russell said.

STEADY JACK: Shortstop Jack Wilson continues to plug along, as he tripled in a run Monday.
The veteran is batting .326 with seven RBIs. That triple was Pittsburgh’s fifth this spring.

STREAKING: Gomez, who singled in two runs during his only at-bat Monday, is now 5 for his last 12 (.417).

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Spring training stats aren’t on the back of bubblegum cards.” Russell, who said Morris is progressing nicely despite an 0-3 record and a 9.64 ERA.

UP NEXT: The Pirates return to Bradenton on Tuesday to face the Minnesota Twins at 1:05 p.m.. Ian Snell, already named the Opening Day starter, is slated to pitch against the Twins’ Kevin Slowey.