3/10 Recap | Twins 4 Pirates 2

By: Scott James
McEffect Hopeful

The Pirates dropped their eighth game of the spring to the Twins 4-2 at McKechnie Field. However, strong performances from newcomers Erik Bedard, Casey McGehee, and Rod Barajas made the afternoon a success.

Bedard, who looked good locating the fastball, went three scoreless innings with three strikeouts. With the relaxed atmosphere in spring training, ROOT Sports got interviews with many players and even Clint Hurdle during the game. Bedard, like every other player interviewed, said he felt good and that the spring is a process. He also said he likes the young talent on the team.

Bedard was helped out by two fine plays by McGehee, who was at third today after spending time at first during the spring. McGehee had a big day at the plate going 3-3 including two doubles and a RBI. In his interview with ROOT, McGehee said that he still has some things to work on at first and that it is a learning process.

Barajas added a double to raise his spring average to .455. Hanrahan entered the game in the fourth and pitched a scoreless inning with two strikeouts.

Jo-Jo Reyes entered the game in the fifth and was touched up throughout his three innings of work for five hits, four runs (all earned), and gave up a three run homer to Danny Valencia to put the Twins up for good.

Jason Grilli and Juan Cruz, who is fighting for a bullpen spot, each pitched scoreless innings.

The Pirates head to Port Charlotte tomorrow to face the Rays. Joining them will be Neil Walker, who will be returning from a back injury that has slowed him down this week. Also A.J. Burnett is back in camp and said that he could return before the 8-12 week time table he was put on for the broken orbital bone.