Pirates Notes - March 3

By JOHN LEMBO
jlembo@bradenton.com
BRADENTON – Pittsburgh’s customary starters didn’t play during the Pirates’ 5-4 win over the Netherlands on Tuesday at McKechnie Field.
So guys such as Garrett Jones, Andy Phillips and Craig Monroe took advantage of the playing time, as the trio – all of whom are non-roster invitees – accounted for four of the team’s five RBIs.
Jones played the whole game in right field, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs, looking like the guy manager John Russell remembered from his days as a minor-league manager.
“He’s a good bat with guys on base. Whether he was hitting .220 or .260, he always seemed to have his RBIs,” Russell said. “He has good at-bats with guys on base. It’s a nice trait to have.”
Phillips played the whole game at first base and doubled in a run, while Monroe went 1-for-2 with a double, a walk and a run scored.
GOOD PROGRESS: Bert Blyleven, the pitching coach for the Netherlands who spent 1978-80 pitching for the Pirates, approved the organization’s decision to pick up Russell’s option for 2010 season.
“I think John Russell will do a great job,” he said.
Blyleven plans on being in Pittsburgh when the Pirates celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 1979 World Series champions. But he also still gets a kick out of visiting McKechnie Field and Pirate City, which is where the Netherlands trained in preparation for the World Baseball Classic.
“They’ve done a great job with the field,” he said. “And the complex, Pirate City, is unbelievable.”
CONTRACTS: The Pirates gave one-year contracts to six players Tuesday: pitchers Jimmy Barthmaier ($400,500), Sean Burnett ($408,500), Craig Hansen ($850,000) and Donnie Veal ($400,000); catcher Steve Lerud ($400,000), and infielder Neil Walker ($400,000).
SNELL UPDATE: Pirate pitcher Ian Snell, playing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, gave up a hit in three innings Tuesday during Puerto Rico’s exhibition game with the Minnesota Twins.
Snell struck out the side in the first inning.