It means nothing in terms of their fortunes for this season, but the Pirates are 7-2 in the Grapefruit League after Saturday’s rain-shortened win over the Astros. They are tied with the Yankees for the best spring training record in baseball.
The 5-2 win was the Bucs’ third straight. They are making their first trip to Florida’s east coast since 2006, and they will remain there today to play the Cardinals in Jupiter.
Oneil Cruz belted his first home run of the spring, a three-run shot in the fifth inning. Marcell Ozuna had two hits for the Pirates.
Braxton Ashcraft threw three scoreless innings giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two. Bubba Chandler relieved Ashcraft and struggled with his control again, surrendering two earned runs in one-and-a-third innings. He gave up three hits, walked three batters, and struck out two.
Rookie left-hander Hunter Barco starts for the Pirates in today’s game against the Cardinals. You’ll hear it on WCCS starting at 1:00.
