2-0 Buccos

Talk about a trial by fire - Pirates lefty Dave Davidson, fresh off playing for Canada in the World Baseball Classic, comes into today's game with the bases loaded and two outs in the third.
He responds by whiffing John Mayberry Jr. to preserve Pittsburgh's 2-0 lead.
Zach Duke was solid, throw 3 2/3 innings and coming an Andy LaRoche error away from going four. He struck out two and walked one, allowing one hit.

Garrett Jones continues to rake for the Pirates, as his double in the second pushed Steven Pearce to third. Pearce scored on a balk by Philly hurler Joe Blanton, and a Brian Bixler hit plated Jones, who also made a diving stab at first base to rob Pedro Feliz of a single in the third inning.

Meanwhile, at this pearl of a ballpark in Clearwater, the line to get into the Philly's apparel store is as long as Game 5 of last year's World Series. Were they giving stuff away in there?

Guess today's not a good day for me to by my annual spring training t-shirt. Ah well, we still have three more weeks.

2-0 Pirates after three in Clearwater.