SPRING REPORT

PHILLIES 3 PIRATES 0

CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Pirates offense continued its Jekyll-and-Hyde ways — not in a good sense — while a former face of the franchise crushed a home the Pirates’ 3- 0 loss to the Phillies on Friday at BayCare Ballpark. Despite hitting six home runs through six games, the Pirates also been had held to two or fewer runs four times, totaling nine hits in those games. Bryce Harper homered in the first inning off Chad Kuhl, while Andrew McCutchen added a solo shot in the fifth off of Blake Cederlind, dropping the Pirates 2-3-1 this spring.

On the mound

Kuhl has been working on his fastball usage and felt good about his ability to get ahead of hitters. The downside was the home run he allowed to Harper, which came on a 1-1 sinker Kuhl left up in the zone.

“Everything was good,” Kuhl said. “I got ahead of hitters. Gave up a two-run home run and a double off my fourth-best pitch. It’s something we’re working on. Other than that, I really like the results.”

Kuhl was also happy with his changeup, which he threw a tick more than he usually does.

At the plate

Not too much to speak of here. The Pirates struck out 13 times and did not have an extra-base hit. Beyond that, there’s been a lack of performance from a couple of key player groups.

When it comes to the young guys the Pirates invited to spring training, there definitely has been an adjustment period. Cal Mitchell, Ji-Hwan Bae, Mason Martin, Oneil Cruz, Travis Swaggerty, Nick Gonzales, Rodolfo Castro and Canaan Smith-Njigba have combined to go 3 for 35 (.086) with 14 strikeouts through six spring games.

In the field

Couple of solid plays from the Pirates in this one. Phillip Evans barehanded a check-swing grounder from former Pirate Matt Joyce in the second, making a strong throw from third base to get the out. Troy Stokes Jr. made a fine running grab in foul territory in the fifth. At the same time, there were miscues, too. Castro was shifted into shallow right field and let a ball from Harper scoot under his glove in the third. Difo gave the Phillies an extra base with his wild throw in the fourth.

Up next

Game: Pirates vs. Yankees, 1: 05 p.m. Saturday, LECOM Park, Bradenton, Fla. Pitchers: RHP Cody Ponce vs. RHP Jameson Taillon. Watch/listen: KDKA-FM (100.1), KDKA-AM (1020).