Mar 8, 2017 2 min read

BRADENTON, Fla. – Facing what was nearly an all-star lineup, Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole was not out of place.

And even though the Pirates dropped a 10-6 decision to the Dominican Republic, it wasn’t all together a bad thing.

Cole allowed just two hits in three shutout innings, while Pittsburgh’s Gregory Polanco and Starling Marte, playing both playing for their native World Baseball Classic Domincan Republic team, combined for five hits.

Cole might not face a better lineup than the one he did Wednesday. In addition to Polanco and Marte, the Domincan Republic also included Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, Jean Segura, Wellington Castillo, Carlos Santana, Jose Bautista and Manny Mochado.

“Fortunately I got out of there unscathed,” said Cole. “It’s a pretty big-time lineup. I was just trying to get through three (innings). I just knew you couldn’t make mistakes; less margin for error. (I still) tried to treat it like a Spring Training game.”

Tyler Glasnow didn’t fare as well as Cole. He gave up six runs – all earned – on five hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Machado homered for the Dominicans, while Polanco had three hits and scored twice. Marte had two hits and drove in a pair of runs.

Angel Sanchez made his Spring Training debut for the Pirates. The right-hander, who is coming off of Tommy John surgery and did not pitch in 2016, threw 2/3 scoreless innings.

He went a combined 13-2 with a 2.69 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 137 1/3 innings between Class AA and AAA in 2015.

Josh Bell made his second spring training start for the Pirates and had two hits, including a double.