Joe Musgrove's first start with the Pirates was similar to the struggles he had as a member of the Astros' rotation last spring. The 6-foot-5 right-hander had trouble with command at times, walking three batters and allowing two earned runs in 2 2/3 innings of a 9-5 loss to the Yankees Thursday in Tampa.
However, Musgrove, acquired from the Astros in the Gerrit Cole trade, showed that he has the weapons to have a chance to succeed in the rotation.
Musgrove, using all six of his pitches, kept the Yankees off balance after running into trouble early.
He walked the leadoff batter in the first before allowing an RBI double to Aaron Judge, who took advantage of a hanging slider on the outer edge. But Musgrove responded by striking out four of the next five batters, mixing in both his changeup and curveball to prove his arsenal is more diverse than the one he used as a late-inning reliever during the second half of last season. The Yankees, who were using their opening day lineup minus newly-acquired second baseman Neil Walker, chased Musgrove from the game, though, in the third.
Musgrove reached his pitch limit after walking two batters. Then, relief pitcher Brett McKinney allowed a three-run homer, with one of those earned runs being credited to Musgrove. Although the final line indicated otherwise, it was a promising first step for Musgrove.
His first start was delayed a few weeks because he experienced right shoulder discomfort prior to his first live batting practice session last month. The Pirates chose to remain cautious with Musgrove, given last season was the first time he pitched into October.
With opening day two weeks away, it may be difficult for the Pirates to get Musgrove enough work in spring training to stretch him out for the season. He threw just 53 pitches against the Yankees, but the club likely won't need a fifth starter until April 8 against the Reds at PNC Park.
• Felipe Rivero, Sean Keselica, Kyle Crick, Kevin Siegrist and Dovydas Neverauskas also pitched.
Rivero had another difficult outing Thursday, allowing four runs, none of which were earned, with three walks. He nearly hit the leadoff batter with a four-seam fastball near the head, but he was also a victim of poor defense, as Colin Moran committed an error that was potentially an inning-ending double play.
Rivero walked in one run before Keselica allowed three runs, including a two-run double by Sanchez.
Siegrist, a left-handed reliever signed to a minor-league deal last month, pitched a scoreless eighth inning, striking out two batters. He now has five strikeouts and one walk in two innings this spring.
• The Pirates took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first when Francisco Cervelli hit a two-run homer to left-center off Sonny Gray, who left a four-seam fastball high and over the plate. Cervelli now has six hits in his last 10 at-bats, including four doubles, and is batting .353 this spring.
• Josh Harrison went 1 for 2 with a walk and two runs, and Sean Rodriguez has now reached base safely in seven of his nine games after singling off Dellin Betances.
• Jose Osuna, starting at first base with both David Freese and Josh Bell off, hit a two-run homer in the top of the sixth off Betances to cut the Pirates' deficit to three runs. Osuna is now batting .333 this spring with three home runs and 8 RBIs.
• Kevin Kramer and Kevin Newman were among those cut by the Pirates on Thursday morning.
• Clint Hurdle's lineup for the game:
1. Josh Harrison, 2B
2. Jordy Mercer, DH
3. Colin Moran, 3B
4. Francisco Cervelli, C
5. Sean Rodriguez, SS
6. Jordan Luplow, LF
7. Bryce Brentz, RF
8. Jose Osuna, 1B
9. Christopher Bostick, CF
• The Pirates will host the Braves on Friday at LECOM Park with first pitch at 1:05 p.m. Jameson Taillon is scheduled to start with Tyler Eppler and Josh Smoker in relief.