SARASOTA, Fla. — RHP Radhames Liz started today, allowing two hits and one run in two innings, and his pitch count (28 pitches, 17 strikes) was a little surprising for a guy being stretched out this spring. Afterward, Clint Hurdle explained Liz, a former starter, is going to be a long reliever, and it all made more sense.
Liz faced the Orioles, the team he last played a major league game with (in April 2009). He knew RHP Chris Tillman and CF Adam Jones from his days in the Baltimore organization.
"I feel like when I was pitching those days, I didn't really know what I wanted to do,“ Liz said. ”I was just throwing the ball. Now I know what I want to do, and I'm mentally strong."
Asked if can throw even harder as a reliever, Liz said, “I don't need to throw harder to get guys out. Like I did today, sit like 94 or 95 with command. I realy think that's enough." Then he laughed. "But if it happens, it happens.”
Liz works with a fastball, breaking ball and changeup, which Hurdle called “a three-pitch mix that plays very well.”
• COREY HART: The ol’ first baseman went 2 for 4 with a solo blast to left-center, his first home run in a Pirates uniform. He struck out twice and is batting .444 in limited at-bats.
• STOLMY PIMENTEL: Allowed three hits, a walk and two runs in the eighth inning. Hurdle said Pimentel seemed to be rushing his delivery.
First Published: March 24, 2016, 5:05 p.m.