The Pirates played their first Sunday game of the year yesterday, and didn’t disappoint. After a terrible start from Jimmy Barthmaier, who surrendered 3 runs on 2 hits and walked 3 in two innings of work. The rest of the pitching staff picked him up, giving up only 1 run (thank you Sean Burnett – who also got the win), striking out 3, and only giving up 3 more hits. The offense was led by Nate McLouth, who hit his first spring homerun and 3-run form to put the Pirates on top for good as part of a 5-run 5th innings. The bullpen did the rest from that point and put up all 0′s, giving the Pirates a 6-4 win and a share of first place with a 4-1 record. 

• Shelby Ford :  The young Pirate second baseman has started hot this spring, hitting .444 with 3 hits, 2 runs, a home run, 3 rbi, and 2 stolen bases, all of this comes in 5 at bats.
• Pedro Alvarez : The highly touted Pirates prospect has gone 3 for 7 (.429) with a 9th inning RBI double against the Red Sox, a .500 OBP, and only 1 strikeout.
• Paul Maholm : Paul only pitched 2 innings this week, but they were a great 2 innings. He struck out 2 and did not give up a hit. 

Duds : 

• Andrew McCutchen : The possible future face of the franchise has started off just awfully in 2009. He is 0/12 with 7 strikeouts. He’s been on base only twice, but he did swipeone base. 
• Adam LaRoche : A real shocker here (not!), Adam has collected 2 hit in 9 at bats, which isn’t all THAT horrible, but he has stuck out 5 times, which you never like to see.
• Jesse Chavez : Chavez has a dismal 13.50 ERA, pitching 2 innings, giving up 6 hits and 3 earned runs. He has struck out 5 batters however. 

While I was typing that, the Pirates added the tying run in their 6th inning, as Ryan Doumit (finally) gets a hit and drives in the hopeful catcher, Jason Jamarillo. 

On another note, I added to my MLB Player T-Shirt collection today. My Brandon Webb and Travis Hafner shirts came in the mail. This is a new collection. so I only have 5 shirts so far. They include : Brandon Webb, Travis Hafner, Adam LaRoche, B.J. Upton, and Nate McLouth