Kuhl helps Bucs past Blue Jays
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Chad Kuhl threw two perfect innings in his first spring training start and the Pirates defeated the Toronto Blue Jays, 2-1, Monday.
Kuhl, a surprise success in the Pirates’ rotation last season, picked up where he left off as a rookie, when he went 5-4 in 14 starts with a 4.20 ERA.
The 24-year-old got leadoff hitter Kevin Pillar to hit a tapper back to the mound, then struck out Jose Bautista and Jarrod Saltamacchia for an easy first inning.
“Today was nice, just to see another jersey and see somebody that isn’t on your team so you can get some real feedback on what you’ve been working on, things like that,” Kuhl said. “It’s also getting your feet wet and getting ready for the season.”
The Blue Jays didn’t have a hit until Justin Smoak led off the fifth inning with a single off Nick Kingham, the Pirates’ third pitcher.
Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings, son of Pitt basketball coach Kevin Stallings, had two hits.
Righty Ivan Nova is expected to get the start for the Pirates Tuesday against the Blue Jays. He is scheduled to be followed by closer Tony Watson, setup men Daniel Hudson and Felipe Rivero and middle relievers Juan Nicasio and Atonio Bastardo.
Tebow has strong session: Tim Tebow quickly got into the swing of spring training, hitting nine home runs in batting practice Monday during his first workout with the New York Mets.
The former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback is hoping to make to the majors as an outfielder. He signed a minor league contract last September.
The 29-year-old Tebow played in the Arizona Fall League, struggling against top prospects from other teams. He hit .194 and struck out 20 times in 62 at-bats for the Scottsdale Scorpions.
“It’s so much about how you’re able to handle things mentally, and that’s not just the highs, it’s also the lows,” the lefty hitter said.
“Baseball can really exploit that if you’re not ready for it – to be ready for the droughts and be able to handle the highs and lows. I think I was 0 for my first 13 (in Arizona), so I was like, ‘OK, that’s going to happen.’ But I’m going to bounce back, and I think I was able to do that,” he said.
Bettencourt ready for dual role: When the San Diego Padres pitched a unique plan to Christian Bethancourt, he caught their drift.
And if it all works out, he might become a most rare multi-purpose player: Ever seen a pitcher/catcher?
“They came to me and asked me if I would agree to it,” Bethancourt said. “I kind of liked the idea and we’ll see how everything goes this year.”
The 25-year-old catcher is getting regular work with the Padres pitchers this spring. San Diego hopes Bethancourt will play some outfield as well as pitching and catching -perhaps some or all of the above in the same game during the season.
He’ll pitch for the first time in the Cactus League on Wednesday in one of the Padres’ split-squad games.
“Most of his work has been on the mound, getting some at-bats here and there,” manager Andy Green said Monday after Bethancourt, as the Padres’ DH, went 0 for 1 with a walk against the Angels.
“It’s a steep learning curve. It’s a lot to do for one man. He’s taken to it very well,” Green added.
Hamilton has surgery: Josh Hamilton has had another surgery on his balky left knee, ending any chance of the 2010 AL MVP making the Texas Rangers’ opening day roster.
The arthroscopic procedure Monday was to repair some damaged meniscus cartilage in his left knee. There were no issues with the surgically repaired ACL in that knee.
Hamilton had left spring training in Arizona and returned to Houston for the second time in less than a week to be examined by Dr. Walt Lowe, who also performed Hamilton’s season-ending surgery last June.