The Pittsburgh Pirates rolled to a 3-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers at LECOM Park on Wednesday in spring training action. Tyler Callihan paced the offense, going 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI, giving the coaching staff plenty to be encouraged about as the exhibition schedule continues. On the mound, Braxton Ashcraft turned in a solid outing, working 5.1 innings of scoreless ball with eight strikeouts. The Pirates finished with 8 hits on the day while holding the Tigers to 5. It was an encouraging performance for the Pirates as they continue sharpening the roster for the regular season. Games like these serve as a valuable measuring stick for where the team stands heading into the campaign.
Key Performers
Tyler Callihan was the offensive highlight at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI. The long ball provided a major boost to the offensive attack. It was the kind of day at the plate that suggests good things ahead for the Pirates offense.
Joey Bart also contributed, going 1-for-2 with an RBI, Lonnie White Jr. chipped in, going 1-for-1, and Johan De Los Santos added to the attack, going 1-for-2. It was a balanced attack that kept the pressure on from the first pitch to the last.
On the other side of the diamond, Riley Greene led the Tigers offense with a 1-for-4 with an RBI day. Trei Cruz also contributed, going 2-for-3. Spencer Torkelson added a 1-for-4 effort as well. Despite those contributions, the Pirates pitching staff did enough to limit the damage and secure the victory.
On the Mound
Braxton Ashcraft earned the win after pitching effectively, working 5.1 innings while allowing 0 earned runs on 5 hits with eight strikeouts. He threw 81 pitches in the outing. His outing provided the coaching staff with another data point as rotation and bullpen decisions loom.
The bullpen was outstanding, combining for 3.2 scoreless innings while striking out three. The relief corps did its job in protecting the lead after the starter departed. Managing the bullpen workload is a key priority during the spring, and every outing helps the coaching staff gauge who is ready for high-leverage situations. Carson Fulmer recorded the save to close out the game.
Among the relievers, Dennis Santana stood out with 1.0 innings of scoreless work, striking out two. The outing gave the coaching staff confidence in his ability to contribute this season.
How It Happened
The Pirates struck first, pushing across two runs in the second inning. The Pirates plated a run in the fourth. Tigers answered with a run in the fifth. The Pirates out-hit Tigers 8-5 on the day, with 3 errors committed between the two clubs. A crowd of 6,975 was on hand to take in the action.
Looking Ahead
It was a productive day for the Pirates, who continue to put the pieces in place ahead of the regular season. The coaching staff will take the positives from this outing and use the remaining spring games to finalize the roster. Days like this one suggest the Pirates are heading in the right direction as Opening Day draws closer.
