Pre-Game Notes

TODAY:
The Pirates play the Twins at 1:05. Tony Armas Jr. and Minnesota’s Boof O’Bonser (RH) are scheduled to start. Josh Sharpless, Brian Rogers, Masumi Kuwata, Salomon Torres and Matt Capps are also expected to pitch. The game will be televised by FSN Pittsburgh.

YESTERDAY:
The Pirates lost 8-3 to the Devil Rays. Tom Gorzelanny started going 4 innings allowing 5 hits and 2 earned runs. Michael Ryan had two hits. Don Kelly hit a solo home run in the 9th inning. Jonah Bayliss made his first appearance of the spring earning the loss.

TONY ARMAS JR:
Armas is making his fourth appearance/third start of the spring today. He has gone 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA in his first three outings.

Last season Armas went 9-12 with a 5.03 ERA in 30 starts with the Washington Nationals. He has a career record of 48-60 with a 4.45 ERA in 151 starts with Montreal and Washington.
TOMORROW:
The Pirates are scheduled to play at the Yankees in a 1:15 game. Zach Duke is scheduled to meet New York’s Mike Mussina (RHP). Shane Youman is also scheduled to pitch.

SLIDE NOTES:

• The Pirates are hitting .306 this spring - the highest average in the Grapefruit League.
• Jason Bay has six hits in his last 14 at bats.
• Brian Bixler has reached base safely in nine of his 10 games.
• Jose Castillo has played five games at third base and two at second base.
• Einar Diaz has three hits in his last four at bats and has gone 7 for 14 this spring.
• Ryan Doumit has reached base safely in seven of his last nine plate appearances.
• Brad Eldred homered four times in his first 12 plate appearances and has gone 11 for 31 (.355) in 12 games this spring.
• Jose Hernandez has five hits in his last 12 at bats.
• Adam LaRoche has seven hits in his last 16 at bats.
• Ronny Paulino has collected 11 hits in his last 17 trips to the plate.
• Neil Walker has reached base safely eight times in his last 15 plate appearances, which includes two home runs in his last nine at bats.
• Masumi Kuwata has not pitched since throwing 31 pitches in 2 innings of relief on March 9th when he suffered a mild left ankle sprain.
• Matt Capps has retired each of the last six batters he has faced, three by strikeout.
• Josh Sharpless leads the staff with two saves, Brian Rogers has the other save this spring.