Red Sox-Pirates pregame

By MIKE HENRY
mhenry@bradenton.com

BRADENTON -- The first three batters in the Pirates' lineup for today's game against the Red Sox at McKechnie Field -- Nate McLouth, Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez -- are batting a combined .367 (33-for-90) with eight doubles, two home runs and 16 RBIs.
The next four hitters -- Jason Bay, Adam LaRoche, Ryan Doumit and Jose Bautista -- are hitting a combined .212 (22-for-104) with six doubles, three homers and 15 RBIs.
The Pirates (5-12) have not scored a run off an opponent's starting pitcher since Wednesday's 4-1 loss against the Blue Jays and A.J. Burnett.
Since then, they've been shut out by Mike Mussina of the Yankees, Josh Fogg of the Reds, Boof Bonser of the Twins and Roy Halladay of the Blue Jays.
No. 9 hitter Luis Rivas, who is playing second base today, is making a strong bid to be part of the Pirates' Opening Day roster.
Rivas is batting .400 (10-for-25) with three doubles and a triple and has walked five times for an on-base percentage of .500.

Darn those Red Sox: Boston defeated the Reds 16-6 Saturday at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers. It was the most runs scored by the Red Sox in spring training since they scored 17 against Montreal in 2001. ... First baseman Sean Casey is hitting .438 (7-for-16) in his last six games with two doubles. ... Left fielder Manny Ramirez is on a 6-for-12 tear with three doubles and a home run in his last five games. ... Right fielder Bobby Kielty is 0-for-14.

Up next: The Pirates play host to the Blue Jays at 1:05 p.m. on Monday at McKechnie Field. Zach Duke is the expected Pittsburgh starter against A.J. Burnett. Sean Burnett, Evan Meek and Franquelis Osoria are also expected to pitch for the Pirates, who will wear green hats to commemorate St. Patrick's Day.
The Red Sox face the Yankees at Legends Field in Tampa. Bartolo Colon will start for Boston against Andy Pettitte.