Pirates Lose to Braves in Spring Training Finale

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates are close to Opening Day and finally completed their Grapefruit League schedule.

The Pirates lost to the Atlanta Braves, 5-2 at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla. in the Spring Training finale on March 23, ending their 30-game slate.

Pittsburgh finished 17-13 overall in the Grapefruit League, but struggled towards the end of the campaign, with seven losses in the final nine games, after starting 15-6 overall. They finish fourth in the standings and were originally in competition for the Grapefruit League Title.

The Pirates did have their first season above .500 in Spring Training since 2017, when they finished 19-12 overall, making this campaign a rarity in recent years.

How the Pirates Lost to the Braves

Former non-roster invitee and right-handed pitcher Carson Fulmer got the start for the Pirates against the Braves in this one.

Fulmer would throw three innings and gave up two solo home runs, one to first baseman Matt Olson in the first inning and then left fielder Eli White in the second inning, putting the Braves up 2-0.

Right-handed pitcher and fellow non-roster invitee Mike Clevinger took over in the fourth inning for the Pirates, who just reassinged him to minor league camp.

Clevinger gave up a run on a pickoff attempt in the fourth inning and then back-to-back solo home runs to designated hitter Mike Yazstremski and Olson in the top of the sixth inning, putting the Pirates down 5-1.

He finished his day with three runs allowed and made it four straight outings with at multiple earned runs, with 10 earned runs over 12 innings for a 7.50 ERA.

Left-handed pitcher Hunter Barco made his last Spring Training appearance and performed well, throwing 2.1 scoreless innings, with just a hit and two walks allowed, plus posting three strikeouts.