Edison Volquez the Pirates $5 million project, continues to struggle with his fastball command in spring training. Volquez went 3 1/3 innings, allowing five hits and four runs, two of them earned in a Grapefruit league start today vs Rays . Volquez in 4 starts (9 IP), has allowed 14 hits, 13 earned runs, while striking out 8 and walking 5. He lowered his ERA from 14.29 to 11.00 with today’s up and down start.
  Searage Encouraged: Everyone in the organization continues to preach patience with Volquez and really what are they going to say when they have $5 million invested in him. “I’m encouraged,” pitching coach Ray Searage said, via Pirates.com.  “There were some good things there, and I’m going to hunt the good. He made some good strides; stuff like this doesn’t happen overnight, and I’m not going to give up on this guy.”