Charlie Morton and Brad Lincoln, both competing for the fifth starter job, combined to pitch six innings in the Pirates 4-1 win over the Blue Jays in Dunedin, Florida today.
Morton started the game and allowed one run, while Lincoln pitched three shutout innings. Morton and Scott Olsen are the frontrunners for the fifth starter job. Lincoln could conceivably win the job with a strong spring, but chances are he’ll be at Class AAA Indianapolis.
Catcher Jason Jaramillo had two doubles for the Pirates, and Pedro Alvarez had a triple. Tyler Yates, Jeff Locke and Cesar Valdez combined to pitch three scoreless innings of relief. The Jays’ Brett Cecil racked up a remarkable six strikeouts in a three-inning start, but the Pirates were able to get to reliever Scott Richmond, who allowed three runs late in the game. Rajai Davis had a double for the Jays, who only had four hits in the game.