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Pitcher roughed up in loss to Devil Rays, will remain behind

Sunday, March 23, 2003

By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- It was Jeff D'Amico's first start since he was named the fifth starter and his last outing in an exhibition game, so Manager Lloyd McClendon joked with bench coach Pete Mackanin before the game that it probably wouldn't go smoothly.

"I didn't think he had a chance in heck of having a good outing today," McClendon said, smiling. "That's usually the way it works after you pick the starter. He goes out and gets hit hard."

D'Amico gave up 11 hits and six runs in five innings, including a home to Aubrey Huff, as the Pirates lost, 8-2, to the Devil Rays yesterday. The Pirates had won six of their past seven games before the loss.

"I don't think it was as bad as the numbers indicated," McClendon said. "He's probably our most polished pitcher, if you really think about it. I'm really not at all concerned about his outing today. I thought his stuff was pretty decent. I thought he threw some good breaking balls, some decent changeups. All in all, it wasn't bad. He certainly got his work in."

D'Amico lives in St. Petersburg and pitched in front of the home crowd for the first time.

"I'm a little disappointed I didn't pitch as well as I would have liked. It's no big deal," D'Amico said. "I just got in some trouble throwing out of the stretch. I was rushing. I went down to work on it in the bullpen after the game. As far as arm strength and everything else, I couldn't be happier with where I'm at right now."

According to the pitching plan, D'Amico will throw on the side twice this week and will stay behind with No. 4 starter Jeff Suppan to pitch in minor-league games next Sunday when the team heads north. They will join the team in Cincinnati. Barring rainouts, both will pitch against the Phillies in the second series of the season.

Hurdle cleared

Reliever Dennys Reyes got back on the mound in the same park he took a line drive off his head in a game March 12. Reyes had to field a ball back through the middle and gave up for two runs on two hits, but he was able to put a psychological hurdle behind him.

The Pirates didn't plan for him to pitch. It just worked out that way as Reyes competes for a bullpen slot.

"I'm glad it happened that way. We needed to find out if he had the yips or shell shock over with. He did OK," McClendon said. "I thought he handled it all right."

Silver lining

Reggie Sanders had two hits, including a run-scoring single, and infielder Mike Gulan hit a solo home run in the ninth inning.

Shortstop Jack Wilson was a late scratch with a strained right calf.

"It's nothing serious. We're at a point now in spring training where we want to be careful with everything we do," McClendon said.

The Pirates were held to four singles until Gulan homered, but the day wasn't a total loss.

"We got our butts kicked. But we had an opportunity to work on some different things -- some relays, some bunt plays, cutoffs. It was a good spring training day for us. The score wasn't indicative of it. We certainly had an opportunity to get a lot of work in," McClendon said.

Not this year

Based on what he did in spring training, rookie reliever Duaner Sanchez might have made the team in previous years. But the Pirates want to give him another year of seasoning in Nashville.

"He's not far away. He's probably made more strides than anybody in camp. He did everything we asked him to do. I think he's coming a long, long way," McClendon said. "I know it's disappointing to be sent down. Still, it's the best thing for him. He's right where he should be."