Adam Frazier remains hot, Pirates made 3 home runs in the loss to the Yankees in the spring

Adam Frazier remains hot, Pirates made 3 home runs in the loss to the Yankees in the spring

by

Adam Frazier is eager to leave a rare “off” season behind. So far this spring, he seems to be on the right track.

A three-hit exit during a 7-5 loss to the New York Yankees on Saturday increased Frazier’s average to 0.677 in four games after a late start to his Grapefruit League season due to a groin injury. Frazier, who reached 0.230 in 2020 after entering the season with an average of about 50 more career points, doubled when he left the starting position,

“I feel good,” said Frazier during a video conference with the media after the game in Tampa. “I’m just trying to slow things down, I made a little adjustment with my hands, (keeping) away from the body a little bit (so that they are) a little more relaxed. I think I really like to see the ball. “

Troy Stokes Jr., Bryan Reynolds and Rodolfo Castro were honored on Saturday by Pirates (7-5-1), who will host the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday.

On his first outing since the Pirates hired veteran Trevor Cahill, JT Brubaker allowed four races won in five hits – including a home run by DJ LeMahieu – in two entries. Brubaker’s presumed position in the season’s initial rotation may have been put at risk by the acquisition of Cahill.

“At the end of the day,” said Brubaker, “it is in our hands based (on) our performance.”

Brubaker said his performance on Saturday – against a regular season-style team from a World Series contender in the Yankees – was hampered by falling behind in the count.

“They forced some long ABs and fought some good shots until they hit the batting count,” said Brubaker. “You have to stay ahead, especially by launching (against) a team like this.

Four relievers who are part of the regular season bullpen – Richard Rodriguez, David Bednar, Geoff Hartlieb and Sam Howard – followed with a goalless inning each. The Yankees had two unsuccessful races from Max Kranick in the seventh, and Socrates Brito from New York hit a solo home run by Yerry De Los Santos in the eighth.

Reynolds’ home run was the first of the spring, and Castro’s came a day after his “Little League home run” (four base error). Stokes Jr.’s home run was his second in the last four games and one of two hits of the day. Stokes also had a dive capture in the right field.

Four of the top fighters for the open position as Pirates’ titular central defender – Stokes Jr., Anthony Alford (two), Jared Oliva (one) and Brian Goodwin (one) – combined for six home runs out of 50 on the bat.

“When I look at the other outfielders, I mean, we’re all fine. We’re all playing well now, ”said Stokes Jr. of a group that also includes Dustin Fowler. “When they do good, it leads me to do better. So it’s like, I want everyone to get involved. “

Alford, however, was removed from Saturday’s game because of discomfort in his right wrist after being hit by a fourth-round shot. The Pirates announced that he was being examined, but Frazier said that Alford indicated that he would only lose “a few days”.

“I think he showed more reaction to the pain today than he did last year, when he broke his elbow,” said Frazier, “but said he is fine. So, I hope he is, and it’s just a little bruise and he can go back there. “

Chris Adamski is a staff writer for the Tribune-Review. You can contact Chris by email at [email protected] or via Twitter .

Tags:
Pirates / MLB | sports

Source