Pirats-BoSox, April 1

By JOHN LEMBO
jlembo@bradenton.com
BRADENTON – The Pittsburgh Pirates rounded out their rotation Wednesday by awarding the final slot to Jeff Karstens.
Karstens went 0-2 with a 6.17 ERA in seven appearances – three starts – this spring in beating out Virgil Vazquez (1-2, 7.62). Vazquez was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis prior to Wednesday’s game with the Boston Red Sox.
“At times, Jeff threw very well, at times, he didn’t. Virgil (was) the same way,” said manager John Russell. “But we know what Jeff can bring, and we feel Virgil has some things to accomplish.”
Aside from Vasquez, the Pirates optioned pitchers Denny Bautista, Chris Bootcheck and Jason Davis, catcher Erik Kratz, outfielder Jeff Salazar, infielder Andy Phillips and first baseman Garrett Jones prior to Wednesday’s game.
STREAK SNAPPED: Paul Maholm’s run of 18 2/3 scoreless innings ended when Boston’s Chip Ambres hit a three-run home run off Maholm in the fourth inning. Maholm went 2-0 with a 1.52 ERA this spring.
GOOD DEFENSE: The Pirates have committed 16 errors in 32 games this spring, which is the lowest in the majors.
NYJER ON FIRE: Nyjer Morgan went 3-for-4 Wednesday and cracked a pair of doubles, raising his average to .237. Following a poor start, Morgan has hit in four straight games and six of his last seven.