The Pittsburgh Pirates topped the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 yesterday in Grapefruit League play.
One day after probable Opening Day shortstop Kevin Newman increased his spring average to .714 by going 3 for 4, everyday second baseman Adam Frazier bumped his Grapefruit League average to .553 by going 2 for 4. Frazier’s double during his first at-bat gives him 10 extra-base hits this spring, one shy of the MLB lead. The Pirates improve to 13-13-1 in Grapefruit League play with two games to go.
Meanwhile, the center field competition has come to a close for the Pirates, and Anthony Alford appears to be the winner after they reassigned veteran Brian Goodwin this morning.
The Pirates also optioned right-handed reliever Geoff Hartlieb and reassigned infielder Wilmer Difo and right-handed knuckleballer Steven Wright to trim the number of players in big league camp to 31. They have to reduce their roster to 26 players by Opening Day on Thursday at the Chicago Cubs.