Pre-Game Notes

TODAY:
The Pirates play host to the Yankees at 1:05, the game is available on XM. Paul Maholm is the scheduled starter for the Pirates. Ian Snell, Josh Sharpless, Damaso Marte and Allan Simpson are also expected to pitch today. New York will send Kei Igawa (LH)to the mound.

YESTERDAY: The Pirates played day/night split squad games against the Brave and Indians. The Pirates lost to the Braves 8-5 in the opening game at McKechnie but circled the wagons and beat the Indians, 6-2 in Winter Haven.

In the Atlanta game, Zach Duke became the first Pirate pitcher to go 4 innings (1 R, 5 K). Andrew McCutchen went 3 for 5 with an RBI. Ronny Paulino
hit a two-run homer in the loss.

Against Cleveland, Shawn Chacon threw 3 scoreless innings on 2 hits. Sean Burnett rebounded to allowed 1 unearned run in 3 innings. Jason Bay started as the DH for the second day in a row, he had 2 doubles and an RBI. Adam LaRoche had 2 hits and 2 RBI. Neil Walker had 3 RBI.

PAUL MAHOLM:
Today marks Maholm's first "A" start of the spring. He has thrown two side sessions since starting a “B” game against the Reds going 3 innings allowing 3 earned runs on 3 hits. He also had 4 strikeouts and 2 walks. Paul went 8-10 with a 4.76 ERA in 30 starts in 2006, his first full big league season.

Paul was Pittsburgh’s first round selection (8th overall) in the 2003 draft.

TOMORROW:
The Pirates are scheduled to play the Reds in Sarasota at 1:05. Tom Gorzelanny will toe the rubber against Cincinnati’s Eric Milton (LH). Marty McLeary, Salomon Torres, Franquelis Osoria and Dave Davidson are also scheduled to pitch.

BUCS/YANKS:
Today is the second of four meetings against the Yanks this spring. The Yanks won a 4-3 game in Tampa on March 3. The Pirates allowed three runs in the
8th inning to earn the loss. The Yanks will visit Bradenton on March 23. The Pirates make the trip to Tampa on March 18.

PIRATE HOME RUN LEADER:
Brad Eldred leads the Pirates in Spring Homers, he has gone long 4 times in his first 17 at bats. (21 plate appearances). Previous team leaders were Ryan Doumit with 5 home runs last spring. In 2005 Craig Wilson led the Bucs with 8 round trippers.

SPRING AHEAD:
Just a reminder that Daylight Savings Time starts tonight. Set your clocks ahead one hour tonight.