Pre-Game Notes

TODAY:
The Pirates meet the Yankees at 1:15 in Tampa. Zach Duke and Mike Mussina (RH) are the scheduled starters. Shane Youman, Jim Brower, Juan Perez and Matt Capps are also expected to pitch.

YESTERDAY:
The Pirates lost 7-3 to the Twins. Tony Armas Jr. started and struggled allowing 7 hits, 4 earned runs and 2 home runs in 4 2/3 innings pitched. Masumi Kuwata made his first appearance since injuring his ankle March 9th. Kuwata threw a scoreless inning. Ronny Paulino was 3 for 3. Jack Wilson was 2 for 2 with a walk and Brad Eldred had a pair of hits.

ZACH DUKE:
Duke is making his fifth start of the spring showing a 4.15 ERA in his first four starts. In his last outing against the Red Sox, Duke went 4 innings allowing 2 earned runs on 4 hits.

TOMORROW:
The Pirates are scheduled to play the Phillies at 1:05. Ian Snell and Adam Eaton (R) are the scheduled starters. We should be seeing the rotation heading into the season now as pitchers are stretching to 5 innings a start while the pen works in its innings.

SLIDE NOTES:

• The Pirates are hitting .308 this spring, highest in the Grapefruit League.
• Jason Bay has six hits in his last 17 at bats.
• Jose Castillo has played seven 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 11 plate appearances.
• Brad Eldred homered four times in his first 12 plate appearances and has gone 13-for-33 (.394) in 13 games this spring.
• Jose Hernandez has five hits in his last 12 at bats.
• Don Kelly has five hits in his last 12 at bats and a four-game hitting streak.
• Adam LaRoche has seven hits in his last 19 at bats.
• Ronny Paulino has collected 14 hits in his last 20 trips to the plate.
• Michael Ryan has played in a team-high 15 games and is hitting .432 with a team-leading six doubles and team-high tying eight RBI.
• Neil Walker has reached base safely eight times in his last 16 plate appearances, which includes two home runs in his last 10 at bats.
• Shane Youman has not surrendered a run in his two starts covering 5 innings this spring. He last pitched in a minor league game against Philadelphia’s Triple-A affiliate on 3/13 allowing 3 runs in 4 innings.