Grapefruit game 4: Rained out

Tuesday, 26 February 2013 08:44

Written by Bill Brink

Update 1:16 p.m.: The game has been rained out. Check back later today for updates, hopefully including the plans for the pitchers scheduled to throw.

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Game: Orioles (3-0) vs. Pirates (2-1)

Time: 1:05 p.m.

Site: McKechnie Field

Weather: 78 degrees, 50 percent chance of thunderstorms

Radio: Pirates.com Webcast

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BRADENTON, Fla. -- Here are the lineups for today's game.

ORIOLES

1. Casilla 6
2. Ford 7
3. Betemit DH
4. Pearce 3
5. Canzler 9
6. Valencia 5
7. Pridie 8
8. Teagarden 2
9. Flaherty 4
Tillman RHP

Also scheduled to pitch for the Orioles: Todd Redmond, Steve Johnson and Dylan Bundy.

PIRATES

1. Marte 7
2. Walker 4
3. McCutchen 8
4. Alvarez 5
5. Jones 3
6. G. Sanchez DH
7. Hawpe 9
8. McKenry 2
9. Barmes 6
Rodriguez LHP

There is one change in the lineup from when it was posted Monday: Michael McKenry will catch and bat eighth instead of Russell Martin, who originally was scheduled to catch and bat second.

Update 10:17 a.m.: Martin was doing individual catching drills with Mike LaValliere and returning the ball with an underhand toss. LaValliere first tossed, then threw, balls to Martin squatting behind the plate. Martin bare-handed the tosses, and worked on his pop to throw down to second on the throws. We have no word yet on the nature of the issue but it would appear to be of the arm or shoulder variety.

Martin recently decided not to play for team Canada in the World Baseball Classic. He said he withdrew due to reluctance on the part of team Canada and the Pirates to allow him to play shortstop, as well as the chance to learn the Pirates’ pitching staff.

Pitchers scheduled to appear: Andy Oliver, Vin Mazzaro, Bryan Morris, Hunter Strickland, Duke Welker, possibly Mike Zagurski.

***This is prefaced by the caveat that spring training stats are meaningless, but for your consideration, Darren Ford is 4 for 7 and Felix Pie is 3 for 7. Anderson Hernandez is 3 for 5. The team has a 3.12 ERA, fourth-best in the majors.

***A.J. Burnett will start Wednesday's game against the Rays, followed by Gerrit Cole, Vic Black, Brooks Brown, Jason Grilli, Jared Hughes and Mark Melancon.