Pirates-Jays notes

By JOHN LEMBO
jlembo@bradenton.com
BRADENTON – Virgil Vasquez learned a lot by watching Friday.
First, he watched Atlanta’s Tom Glavine pitch on television. Then he sat in the dugout and watched Toronto’s Roy Halladay deal against his Pittsburgh Pirates.
Neither pitcher overthrows. And Vasquez took that into account when he tossed 5 2/3 innings during a 4-1 loss Friday night.
Vasquez allowed three earned runs and five hits, but said he felt real comfortable on the mound.
Watching a pair of aces can have that positive effect.
“I’m like, ‘I’m going to go out there, and I’m going to be really comfortable with myself and my body,’” Vasquez said. “I’m just going to try and mess their timing up, and have fun with it.”
In competition for the fifth spot in the rotation, Vasquez is 1-2 with a 7.62 ERA.
But manager John Russell was pleased with what he saw Friday.
“I thought he threw well. He mixed his speeds better,” he said. “He kept us in the game, and I thought he did a nice job.”
Vasquez, Jeff Karstens and Ross Ohlendorf are the lead the candidates for the final two spots available in the starting rotation, though Ohlendorf (1-0, 0.59 ERA in four starts) has made himself the frontrunner for the fourth spot.
STRUGGLING IN THE DARK: The Pirates are now 0-3 in night games at McKechnie, losing to Toronto and Tampa Bay this spring, and the New York Yankees last year.
MR. CONSISTENCY: Nate McLouth singled in his first at-bat Friday and has reached base in 15 straight games. The centerfielder is hitting .326 this spring.
STILL ROLLING: Craig Hansen tossed a shutout inning Friday, and has given up a run in one of his 11 outings this spring. Acquired last summer from the Boston Red Sox, Hansen walked one and struck out one Friday.
FOUR TO GO: The Pirates have four more official spring training games left at McKechnie Field, not including the April 2 charity game against Manatee Community College. The Buccos round out their home schedule against the Phillies, Reds, Red Sox and Twins.
Their final home game of the spring is April 3 against Minnesota.