The Pirates’ offense racked up 11 runs in a rout of the Baltimore Orioles in Spring Training action Wednesday, but the big story, at least among those who were present at the game, was James McDonald’s rough start. McDonald gave up five runs in three innings, including solo homers to J.J. Hardy and Mark Reynolds, and he apparently didn’t look at all sharp in doing so.
Clint Hurdle called James McDonald “mediocre” today, said fastball was “up and flat.”
This isn’t something to worry too much about quite yet, since McDonald still has about three weeks before Opening Day, but it’s worth keeping an eye on.
The Pirates’ offense had 15 hits, with the bulk of the damage coming off Jake Arrieta, Jim Johnson and Willie Eyre. Alex Presley, Neil Walker, Garrett Jones and Josh Harrison all had two hits apiece.
The Pirates take on the Twins on Thursday at 1:05.
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