Rookie continues sharp pitching

Josh Sharpless struck out Detroit slugger Gary Sheffield in the Bucs' 3-1 win.
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Pittsburgh Pirates rookie reliever Josh Sharpless has been impressive throughout spring training, including shining in one of more dramatic moments of the exhibition season.
Sharpless has allowed only one run and three hits in 7 1/3 innings. He posted a 1.50 ERA in 14 games last year in his major-league debut after being recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis on Aug. 1, and seems to have a good shot to win a job in the bullpen.
"He's been very impressive, just as he was when we called him up last season," Pirates manager Jim Tracy said Wednesday. "He continues to get better. He continues to grow as a pitcher."
Sharpless had a moment of growth Tuesday when he struck out Detroit slugger Gary Sheffield, who has 455 career home runs, in a 3-1 win over the Tigers.
Detroit had the bases loaded with two outs in the fifth inning and was trailing 3-0 when Sheffield stepped to the plate. Sharpless fell behind in the count 2-0 and 3-1 before sneaking a fastball under Sheffield's hands for a called second strike.
Crowd lets out a roar
Sharpless then got Sheffield to swing through a fastball for an inning-ending strikeout. The normally subdued crowd at Bradenton's McKechnie Field let out a roar.
"I know it's spring training and it was only an exhibition game, but that was big for me," Sharpless said. "The adrenaline was really pumping. I was facing one of the best hitters in baseball there. To be able to strike him out was huge. ... To strike out Gary Sheffield in that situation only helps my confidence."
Sharpless has been a revelation for the Pirates since they selected him in the 24th round of the 2003 draft from Allegheny College, a Division III school in Meadville, Pa. Sharpless grew up in Freedom, Pa., and drew little interest from colleges following his high school career.
Yet, Sharpless has compiled impressive statistics. Before his major-league stint last season, he was 14-4 with 23 saves and a 2.20 ERA in 127 relief appearances in four minor-league seasons.
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