TAMPA, Fla. -- Chris Archer, like most veterans, says results don’t matter in spring training.
The right-hander is indeed correct with that assessment. Nevertheless, Archer has looked sharp in his first two Grapefruit League outings.
Archer pitched three scoreless innings Sunday in the Pirates’ 6-5 loss to the Yankees in an exhibition game at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
He has yet to allow a run in five innings, giving up just two hits and a walk while striking out eight. On Sunday, he surrendered both hits — singles — with four strikeouts and no walks.
Most importantly, Archer says he is fully recovered from the hernia surgery he underwent in November.
“I try not to get caught up too much in the results but they’re nice when you get them,” Archer said. “The biggest thing is health. When you don’t have to be tentative on the mound, don’t have to be passive, then I’m happy.”
For the first time this spring, Archer pitched with Francisco Cervelli behind the plate. The pair clicked last season after Archer was acquired in a trade from the Rays on July 31, then strengthened their bond by making an offseason trip to Puerto Rico for a hurricane relief charity event hosted by Pirates special assistant to the general manager Mike Gonzalez.
“I know he was a highly sought-after commodity in the offseason and I’m glad we kept him,” Archer said, referring to Cervelli being mentioned in frequent trade rumors during the offseason. "I always appreciate his feedback. We have a good line of communication."
The Pirates lost their fourth straight game and fell to 7-9 when minor-leaguer Zach Zehner hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning off relief prospect Jesus Liranzo to put the Yankees ahead 6-5.
Francisco Liriano had a nightmarish outing, walking all four batters he faced to begin the fourth inning and was charged with three runs. Geoff Hartlieb allowed one run in 1 2/3 innings while Nick Burdi (1 1/3 innings) and Dovydas Neverauskas (one inning) were spotless.
The Pirates’ offensive highlight was back-to-back home runs in the third inning by Jung Ho Kang and Cervelli off Yankees starter J.A. Happ that put them ahead 3-0.
It was Kang’s team-high fourth home run after playing just three games in the major leagues the past two seasons due a wrist injury and his well documented trouble securing a work visa following a third DUI arrest in South Korea.
The homers account for all of Kang’s hits in 20 at-bats.
Shortstop prospect Cole Tucker tripled and scored and is 7-for-10 in his last six games.
• Elias Diaz has rejoined the team after being away since Feb. 21 with a virus. There is no timetable for when the backup catcher might see game action.
Though a move has not been officially made, Diaz is certain to begin the season on the injured list. He won’t have enough time to rebuild the necessary strength and endurance to be ready for opening day March 28 at Cincinnati.
"We're happy to have him back and start getting him ready to play, and to be around the men again," Clint Hurdle said.
Also on the injury/illness front, rookie outfielder Bryan Reynolds was scratched just before the start of the game with right hamstring discomfort.
• Jameson Taillon will make his first appearance of the Grapefruit League season Tuesday against the Twins in Bradenton, Fla. He has been working exclusively in simulated games as the Pirates have been looking at pitchers competing for the fifth starter’s spot in many of the exhibition games.
It appears Taillon will also pitch March 17 against the Red Sox in Bradenton and March 22 against the Rays at Port Charlotte, Fla., before starting the opener.
• Jeff Karstens, who pitched for the Pirates from 2008-12, attended the game. He lives in Tampa and is in his third year as the head coach at Berkeley Preparatory School.
“I love it. It’s a lot of fun,” said Karstens, who proudly added that he threw 200 pitches in a recent batting practice session.
Karstens began his career with the Yankees from 2006-07.
• The Pirates visit the Braves at 1:05 tomorrow at Kissimmee, Fla., with Nick Kingham starting against highly touted prospect Kyle Wright.
Steven Brault and Dovydas Neverauskas are also scheduled to pitch for the Pirates. Brault and Kingham are in the running to be the fifth starter along with Rookie Davis and Jordan Lyles.
