Pirate Notes

By JOHN LEMBO
jlembo@bradenton.com
BRADENTON – Andy LaRoche put too much pressure on himself last year.
This according to Andy LaRoche, who hit .152 after the Pirates acquired him from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“Last year I was lunging at the ball and trying to hit it as hard as I could,” he said, “instead of just letting the pitcher supply the power.”
LaRoche supplied his own Wednesday, hitting a two-run home run in the Pirates’ 2-1 win over Minnesota at McKechnie Field.
LaRoche, whose older brother, Adam, is the Pirates first baseman, is more relaxed this spring, not trying to impress anyone or do too much.
Consequently, he’s hitting .500.
“It’s nice to get home runs,” said manager John Russell, “but why I’ve been impressed with him is he’s using a big part of the field for the most part…Most of his have pretty much come up the middle, he’s staying off the ball. That’s what happens when you get that confidence when you’re staying on the ball.”
MEEK STRONG: Evan Meek recorded his third save of the spring Wednesday and hasn’t given up a run in four appearances. Meek has allowed one hit and struck out four in four innings thus far.
MLB IS ON THE WAY: The new MLB Network, channel 159 in Bradenton, will spend Thursday and Friday with the Pirates as part of their 30 Teams in 30 Days. Covering the Buccos will be Trenni Kusnierek, who used to work for FSN Pittsburgh.
BE BACK SOON: After Thursday’s trip to Sarasota to face the Reds, the Pirates return to Bradenton on Friday to host the Tampa Bay Rays for the first of five meetings between the two teams.