Notes from Pirates-Braves

By JOHN LEMBO
jlembo@bradenton.com

BRADENTON - The first two batters Tom Gorzelanny faced in top of the second inning walked.
No problem.
Pittsburgh's young left got the next batter, Atlanta's Matt Diaz, to ground into a texbook double play.
It's a sign of maturity the Pirates hope carry Gorzelanny through the 2009 season.
"That's one of thing's Joe (Kerrigan, the pitching coach) has been talking to him about - one pitch, one hitter at a time," manager John Russell said following the Pirates' 5-2 loss to Atlanta on Friday at McKechnie Field. "Once those walks are out there, there's nothing you can do about it except go after the next hitter. He did make some adjusments, and that's going to be a big key for him going forward through spring training."
The 26-year-old is looking to put a rough '08 behind him, when Gorzelanny went 6-9 with a 6.66 ERA. He got off to a decent start Friday.
"For a first outing," Russell said, "I thought he threw the ball well."

GOOD START: Neil Walker doubled in a run Friday, and giving him two doubles early in the spring. The third baseman is batting .400 with two RBIs thus far.

THEY'LL BE BACK: The Pirates head to Kissimmee on Saturday, but begin a four-game homestand Sunday when they host the Reds. The Detroit Tigers, managed by former Pirate skipper Jim Leyland, hit town Monday, and the Netherlands will be at McKechnie on Tuesday in preparation for the World Baseball Classic. Former Pirate pitcher Burt Blyleven is the the Netherlands' pitching coach.
The homestand wraps Wednesday against the Minnsesota Twins. The Pirates make a short trip to Sarasota on Thursday to play the Reds before playing host to the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.