Welcome to the big club
BRADENTON, Fla. Right-hander Jeff Karstens won the final spot in the Pittsburgh Pirates' starting rotation.
Karstens locked up the job Wednesday when right-hander Virgil Vasquez was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis ending a five-week competition in which neither pitcher excelled.
Karstens pitched in seven games, including three starts. He went 0-2 with a 6.17 ERA and allowed 30 hits and eight walks in 23Z\c innings.
"There's still some stuff I've got to work on, we all know that," said Karstens, who was picked up by the Pirates from the Yankees in July. "They've given me this opportunity and it's my job to run with it. If I don't, I know somebody else is going to be waiting in the wings."
Karstens pitched 7X\c perfect innings against Arizona on Aug. 6, then failed to win his final six decisions with the Pirates last season to finish 2-6 with a 4.03 ERA.
Vasquez had a 7.62 ERA in four games this spring, giving up 17 hits and walking six in 13 innings. He will begin the season in Indianapolis' rotation.
"I did what I do," Vasquez said. "I'm not completely happy with the result, but I'm happy they liked what they saw and I'll be one of the guys they look for in the future."
Relievers Jason Davis, Chris Bootcheck and Denny Bautista were reassigned to minor league camp. Infielder Andy Phillips, outfielder Jeff Salazar, utilityman Garrett Jones and catcher Erik Kratz were reassigned, leaving 27 players in the Pirates' camp.
Phillips' departure means Luis Cruz will be a backup infielder, along with Ramon Vázquez. Cruz hit .224 in 22 games with Pittsburgh last season.
Outfielder Craig Monroe, a nonroster player, was told he had made the roster, though the Pirates still must clear a 40-man spot for him.
Red Sox 4, Pirates 3
Maholm allowed three runs in four innings of Pittsburgh's 4-3 loss to Boston Wednesday at Bradenton, Fla.
"Today was the first day I felt bad," said Maholm, who has a 1.52 ERA in six spring starts. "I threw just two breaking balls for strikes, which isn't normal.
"I'm ready to get out of here. I'm glad that Monday will be the start of the regular season and we can get after it. Seven weeks in sunny Florida is way too long."
Boston's Chip Ambres hit a pair of homers, including a tiebreaking shot in the ninth inning off Daniel Haigwood. Ambres connected for a three-run drive in the fourth, snapping Maholm's spring scoreless streak at 18X\c innings.
Maholm will make his first opening-day start Monday against the Cardinals. Last season he led the Pirates with nine victories and a 3.71 ERA.
Red Sox ace Josh Beckett also struggled, giving up three runs in 3X\c innings on seven hits. He struck out four and walked one. He gave up a two-run home run to Pirates outfielder Nate McLouth. The Pirates added a run in the fourth on consecutive singles by Jack Wilson, Craig Monroe and Nyjer Morgan.
"He's had a good camp," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "He's looked strong, he's looked sharp."
