Pre-Game Notes

TODAY:
The Pirates meet Blue Jays at 1:05. Tony Armas Jr. and Roy Halladay (RH) are scheduled to start. Masumi Kuwata, John Wasdin, Salomon Torres, Matt Capps and Jonah Bayliss are also scheduled for some mound work.

YESTERDAY:
The Pirates lost 7-3 to the Matsusaka and the Red Sox. Tom Gorelanny surrendered two hits while walking five and was charged with four runs in 4 2/3 innings. Juan Perez worked a scoreless inning, striking out two of the three battes he faced. Ronny Paulino hit a solo home run, giving him the team lead with 10 RBI this spring.

TONY ARMAS JR:
Armas is making his fifth appearance and fourth start of the spring. He has a 3.95 ERA in his first four outings. Last outing he went 4 2/3 innings allowing 7 hits and 4 earned runs while striking out 13 and walking 1 against the Tribe.

TOMORROW:
The Pirates host the Yankees at 1:05. Shawn Chacon and Darrell Rasner (RHP) are scheduled to start. Shane Youman and Josh Sharpless are also scheduled to pitch. Zach Duke is scheduled to pitch in a minor league game tomorrow.

SLIDE NOTES:

• Jose Castillo has started eight games at third base and four at second base, mostly due to the Sanchez injury.
• Castillo has a seven-game hitting streak.
• Einar Diaz has three hits in his last five at bats, he has gone 7 for 14 this spring.
• Ryan Doumit has reached base safely nine times in his last 17 plate appearances.
• Adam LaRoche hit his first home run of the spring on Tuesday and has nine hits in his last 26 at bats.
• Ronny Paulino has collected 17 hits in his last 26 at bats (.654) and is hitting .500 (17 for 34) with a team leading 10 RBI.
• Michael Ryan has played in a team-high tying 17 games and is hitting .415 with a team leading 13 runs and six doubles.
• Freddy Sanchez has not played in a Grapefruit League game since suffering a sprained right knee while turning a doubleplay on 3/6.
• Jack Wilson has six hits in his last nine at bats and has reached base safely seven times in his last 10 plate appearances.
• Masumi Kuwata is making his first road of the spring.
• John Wasdin has been scored upon just once in his four appearances, 6 innings allowing 1 run.