Pirates-Astros Notes

By JOHN LEMBO
jlembo@bradenton.com
BRADENTON — John Russell is always quick to point out spring training stats don’t appear on the back of bubble gum cards.
But the Pittsburgh Pirates manager is pleased with how his team is swinging the bats, especially with the way the Pirates’ approached Sunday’s 11-4 win over the Houston Astros at McKechnie Field.
The Pirates (8-3) hit three home runs — a solo shot by Freddy Sanchez, and a pair of two-run blasts from Craig Monroe and Garrett Jones — banged out 10 hits and drew nine walks, including three with bases loaded during a five-run eighth inning.
“They’ve worked really well all spring,” Russell said. “The nice thing about this spring is not only are our starters doing pretty well, but our bench guys — the guys who are trying to make the club or some of our minor league guys. We’re very happy with the depth that we have this year. Those guys are doing a good job when they come in the game, so it’s been a nice mix for us.”
Jones, a non-roster invitee, went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, pushing his spring average to .368. And Monroe, who is also trying to make the club, is now hitting .273 with two home runs and four RBIs on the spring.

GOOD START: Confirming that managers don’t just look at the linescore in the spring, Russell was happy with starting pitcher Ross Ohlendorf, who gave up six hits and two runs — one earned — in 3 1/3 innings.
“His change-up was better, and his sinker was really good (Sunday),” Russell said. “He worked both sides of the plate. His slider was a little bit more inconsistent, so it seems like we’re still in the process of tightening it up. But it was a good outing for him.”
Acquired from the New York Yankees last July, Ohlendorf is competing for a spot in Pittsburgh’s starting rotation.

THINNING OUT: There are currently 57 players in major-league camp for the Pirates, but that number may change early this week.
“We’ll have a small number later this week, and we’re probably seven to 10 days away from a bigger send down,” said general manager Neal Huntington. “We’re still so early in camp that our numbers are manageable at this point in time. There will be a couple of guys who really don’t have a legitimate chance to make the club who may go down early, and the next group will be younger players who will now need to get some consistent work in minor-league games.”

WE WILL MEET AGAIN: Sunday’s game marked the last meeting between the Pirates and Astros this spring. But the National League Central foes play each other 15 times during the regular season, beginning with the Pirates’ home-opener April 13.