John Ryan Murphy hit his team-leading third home run of the spring, and Gregory Polanco doubled in each of his two at-bats but the Pittsburgh Pirates lost to the New York Yankees, 7-4, on Saturday at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla.
Signed to compete for the No. 2 catcher’s job, the 28-year-old Murphy has a .188 batting average in 16 at-bats in Grapefruit League play, but all of his three hits are homers.
The hometown guy hit another home run.#LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/RAli4QjxvD
— Pirates (@Pirates) March 7, 2020
Polanco continued his strong spring after missing most of the past 18 months because of shoulder surgery. The veteran outfielder has four extra-base hits and six walks in 21 plate appearances (1.371 OPS).
Eight of the 10 Pirates pitchers did not allow a run, and seven did not allow a hit. But James Marvel was charged with six earned runs on three hits and three walks in two-thirds of an inning to start the eighth. Also struggling with his control was starter Chris Stratton, who walked four while retiring only three in one credited inning.
The Pirates fell to a 3-12-1, the worst spring-training record in the majors.
The Pirates face the Tampa Bay Rays at 1:05 p.m. Sunday in Port Charlotte, Fla. Mitch Keller, Sam Howard, Nik Turley, Yacksel Rios, Miguel Del Pozo and Montana DuRapau are scheduled to pitch for the Pirates.
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