Unfortunately, the game was kind of like kissing your cousin, it ended in a 1-1, 10-inning tie. You'll have that during spring training. Other than that little glitch, it was a most excellent Black-N-Gold time. Keep in mind, though, it is only spring training.
First of all, I loved how friendly everyone was. Walking down the street to get to McKechnie Field, everyone was quite neighborly. Considering there were fans in attendance wearing not only Pirates and Rays gear but also Cubs hats, Cardinals jerseys, Nats t-shirts. I even struck up a conversation with a policeman that was an Orioles (and, ugh, Ravens) fan. I also saw a fellow sporting the mutton chop-mustache look to go with his Cardinals cap and jersey. It put me in the mind of former Cardinals closer, Al Hrabosky. When I mentioned this to the gentleman he said that I must be a Cards fan. Are you kidding me? Here I stood sporting my newest Pirates shirt and he accused me of being a St Louie fan? "No" I said. "I'm a baseball fan!".
I must also give kudos to all the Pirates employees at McKechnie. Not only is it a beautiful ballpark, they help make the experience all the more enjoyable with their fan-friendly attitude. Mrs. Black-N-Gold was even able to secure an ice cold I.C. Light at the game.
I was happy to see A.J. Burnett get the nod to start the game. He gave up one hit in two innings of work, recording no strikeouts but issuing no walks, either. He did avoid trouble in the first when a gap shot was run down by CF Keon Broxton. Not many starters appeared in the game. Andrew McCutchen was the DH. LF Starling Marte and RF Gregory Polanco both started. They were both 1 for 2. We got to see Jung Ho Kang at SS. He was 0 for 2. RH Nick Kingham didn't look bad, although he did give up 2 hits in 2 innings. He also fanned 2 batters. LHs Tony Watson and Antonio Bastardo each got an inning of work. RH Jared Hughes pitched 1 inning, too, giving up 2 hits. RH Brad Lincoln has his work cut out for him as he tries to make the team. Lincoln gave up 1 run on 1 hit and 1 walk in 1 inning. The Pirates had a runner on 3rd with no one out in the home half of the 10th and failed to score. At that point, the scrubs were in, so it didn't account for much. Mrs. Black-N-Gold just hopes she doesn't see runners stranded very often during the regular season.
Highlights-
1)C Elias Diaz's arm. He showed it off a few times. The kid has a cannon behind the plate.
2)CF Keon Broxton's play in CF.
3)RH Nick Kingham looks like he'll be at PNC later this year.
4)The kid with the Rays shirt that caught the line drive foul ball on the first base line. Sign him up.
Lowlights-
1)RH Jared Hughes has some work to do.
2)OF Wily Garcia had what looked to be a trip, trip, triple and he held up at second. Got to hustle if you want to make the team, Wily.
3)RH Brad Lincoln isn't impressing anyone in the early going.
4)Jalapeno Hannah getting blown out in the Pierogie Race. It's even spring training for the Pierogies.
All in all, it was a wonderful time. Mrs. Black-N-Gold highly recommends that you make the trip south to catch the Pirates as soon as you're able. She's already making plans for next year where she expects the Pirates to have a new flag flying high atop McKechnie. One that says World Champs, 2015. Let's Go Bucs!!!!!
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