Wednesday, February 19, 2025, 5:10PM |  19°
MENU
Advertisement
Andrew McCutchen taking a break during pre game workouts at McKechnie Field this month.
1
MORE

Niese improves after first inning in tie against Red Sox

Peter Diana/Post-Gazette

Niese improves after first inning in tie against Red Sox

BRADENTON, Fla. — Jon Niese and David Price combined to allow three runs and six hits in a 30-minute first inning. After that, Niese settled in nicely and put only one man on base in his final three innings of work.

“As the game went on he got better,” manager Clint Hurdle said. ”I thought his sequences improved.”

In four innings, Niese allowed two runs and five hits, striking out five without walking a batter.

Advertisement

“I think it’s just him working through making the next good pitch,” Hurdle said. “He’s so highly competitive, it’s just fun to watch him out there.”

Niese left the stadium without speaking to reporters.

**********

Your opening series probables:

Advertisement

Sunday: RHP Adam Wainwright vs. LHP Francisco Liriano
Tuesday: RHP Michael Wacha vs. LHP Jon Niese
Wednesday: RHP Mike Leake vs. RHP Juan Nicasio

Read more about the Nicasio decision here.

**********

Andrew McCutchen went 3 for 4 with a homer and a double Wednesday. ... Gregory Polanco went 2 for 3. ... Jason Rogers went 1 for 1 with four walks.

**********

Kyle Lobstein will start Thursday’s game against the Rays in Port Charlotte. Ryan VogelsongMark Melancon, Tony Watson and Neftali Feliz are also scheduled to pitch.

**********

Three candidates for the final bullpen spot, Cory Luebke, A.J. Schugel and Jim Fuller, pitched Wednesday. Luebke and Schugel each allowed a run and a hit in two innings. Fuller pitched a scoreless inning.

Hurdle indicated that the Pirates must make a decision on Luebke’s opt-out by today. He and Fuller are lefty, as is Lobstein, who is still a candidate for the bullpen; Schugel and Jorge Rondon are righty.

“I haven’t been told anything,” Schugel said. “Taking it one day at a time, see what happens.”

Fuller has allowed one run in 91/3 innings, with eight strikeouts and no walks. Luebke has given up six runs, five earned, and nine hits in 72/3 innings. Schugel has allowed four runs, three earned, and 10 hits in 12 innings; Rondon, four runs and nine hits in 11 innings; and Lobstein two runs and seven hits in 11 innings, including three starts.

“Other than a couple pitches that I would take back, I felt really good,” Schugel said. “I felt everything overall pitching-wise, mechanics-wise, was sound, better than springs past.”

The Pirates have to make a decision on Luebke by today, Hurdle said. Luebke has an opt-out clause.

**********

Nicasio will pitch in a minor league game or simulated game Friday in Florida. Gerrit Cole will do the same Saturday. They will then fly to Pittsburgh and join the team for opening day. They will set the rotation for the Reds series after Cole and Nicasio pitch.

First Published: March 30, 2016, 10:13 p.m.

RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Mt. Lebanon's Kim Seaver (back row, right) was a member of the Post-Gazette Fabulous 5 girls basketball all-star team in 1996. Other players are (from front left) Monessen's Gina Naccarato, Penn Hills' LynnDee Howell, McKeesport's Swin Cash and (front right) Mount Pleasant's Michelle Katkowski.
1
sports
Mike White's Prep Talk: Basketball stars of yesteryear have sons and daughters in WPIAL quarterfinals
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) celebrates an interception against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in the Northshore. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 27-14.
2
sports
Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 02.19.25
Gov. Josh Shapiro is joined in the broadcast booth by Curtis Aiken before the start of Pitt-Syracuse on Tuesday night at Petersen Events Center.
3
sports
Gov. Josh Shapiro aims to make Pennsylvania 'compete' in NIL, bring 'stability' to transfer portal
President Donald Trump listens as Elon Musk speaks in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Washington. (Photo/Alex Brandon)
4
news
McCormick on board with Trump, DOGE shakeup while Fetterman blasts ‘chaos, confusion’
Pirates owner Bob Nutting talks to fans during spring training at the Pirates training facility, Pirate City in Bradenton, Florida, on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025.
5
sports
Joe Starkey: Pirates are more culpable than Dodgers in MLB’s payroll disparity farce
Andrew McCutchen taking a break during pre game workouts at McKechnie Field this month.  (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)
Peter Diana/Post-Gazette
Advertisement
LATEST sports
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story