Glasnow continues strikeout binge

BRADENTON, Fla. — Tyler Glasnow had the Detroit Tigers off balance Saturday, striking out nine in four innings at LECOM Park.

Glasnow allowed a threerun home run to Tyler Collins in the third inning, one of five hits he allowed in the game, but otherwise kept the Tigers from doing any damage.

After allowing five runs in 2⅔3 innings March 13, Glasnow has struck out 14 in eight innings, with three earned runs allowed, in his past two outings.

“The last two starts are the best I’ve felt,” Glasnow said. “I’ve really been into the game and really competitive.”

Early in his outing, Glasnow used more two-seam fastballs. At Francisco Cervelli’s urging, he went more frequently to the fourseamer later. Throwing his two-seamer has helped him learn to control the cut — movement toward a lefthanded batter — of his fourseamer, he said. Pairing either one with a sharp curveball that clocked in the high 70s (mph), and of which he had good control, worked well.

“I think this spring, this is the most I’ve learned in any baseball setting from any season,” Glasnow said. “It’s been like a month and I’ve taken in so much information. There’s so many guys here that have stuff to teach you. I’m super excited I can even stay this long. It’s been an awesome experience.”

Glasnow, Steven Brault, Trevor Williams and Drew Hutchison are candidates for the final rotation spot. Hutchison has a 7.41 ERA and .329 average against this spring; Brault has a 3.45 ERA but only eight strikeouts in 15⅔3 innings; Glasnow has struck out 23 in 14⅓3 innings but allowed 10 runs and 19 hits; and Williams has a 2.63 ERA, 12 strikeouts in 13⅔ innings and a .245 average against.

“Everybody had an opportunity to go create separation and that really hasn’t happened in my mind,” manager Clint Hurdle said.

Polanco hampered

The Pirates removed Gregory Polanco from the lineup Saturday because of a sore left shoulder.

Polanco said his shoulder started feeling sore after a game Thursday against the Boston Red Sox, and that it did not result from his participation in the World Baseball Classic.

Stewart feeling better

Chris Stewart said an MRI of his sore left groin showed only a slight strain. He felt soreness running to first base Friday night a game.

“It’s not too bad today,” he said Saturday.

Chris O’Meara/Associated Press Pitching coach Ray Searage, left, makes a visit to the mound to confer with pitcher Tyler Glasnow Saturday at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla.