Pirates-Tigers Notes

By JOHN LEMBO
jlembo@bradenton.com

LAKELAND - Phil Dumatrait's spring has been one of progression.
Two innings in his first start. Then three.
Sunday at Joker Marchant Stadium, the Pittsburgh lefty threw one better, going the first four during the Pirates' 9-7, 10-inning loss to the Detroit Tigers.
"I felt really good, especially the first two innings," he said. "My legs are fine. I never really got tired."
In his first two starts of the spring, Dumatrait allowed one run in five innings. His stats took a bit of hit Sunday, when he allowed five runs - three earned - on five hits.
He cruised through the first two innings, when he held Detroit hitless and faced the minimum six batters.
And then?
"The first couple of innings, I was throwing the ball in there," he said. "In the the third and fourth, when I was trying to go inside, my head was flying open.
"Obviously against this lineup, there's no room for error."
Among Detriot's starters Sunday were Ivan Rodriguez, Magglio Ordonez, Miguel Cabrera, Carlos Guillen and Placido Polanco.
"Probably the best lineup in baseball," Dumatrait said.

RAUL'S RAKING: Pirate catcher Raul Chavez nearly played the role of hero Sunday when his 10th-inning home run snapped a 6-6 tie.
It's been a fine spring for Chavez, a nine-year veteran and a non-roster invitee. He went 2-for-2 Sunday, and is now 4-for-8 in the spring with two home runs and three RBIs.

ON THE RISE: Andrew McCutchen may be turning a corner. The young outfielder entered the game hitting .174, but went 2-for-5 with an RBI, upping his average to .214.

ON THE WEB: Can't make it out to McKechnie Field on Monday? No problem. The Pirates' game with the Philadelphia Phillies will be shown on MLB.com TV and MLB.TV.

UP NEXT: The Pirates host the Phillies at 1:05 p.m. Ian Snell, who held Philadelphia hitless for two innings on Feb. 29, will start for Pittsburgh. Byung-Hyun Kim, Evan Meek, Casey Fossum, Mike Thompson and Marino Salas are expected to throw for the Pirates. J.D. Durbin will start for the Phillies, who are 2-1 against Pittsburgh this spring.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Probably the best lineup in baseball, and (Gary) Sheffield's not in the lineup." Pirate starter Phil Dumatrait, on the powerful Detroit Tigers.