Mar 10, 2017 1 min read

BRADENTON, Fla. – Edwin Espinal hit a three-run, walk-off home run to lift the Pirates past Tampa Bay Friday.

Espinal, a corner infielder who played at Class AA Altoona last year, has caught the eye of manager Clint Hurdle, but for other reasons.

“He does a really good impersonation of the manager of the Pirates, which has gotten a lot of play in the clubhouse,” said Hurdle. “I like it, it’s good, he does a pretty good me.”

Hurdle also had to like what he saw of young starting pitcher Drew Hutchinson Friday. Hutchinson became Pittsburgh’s first starter to go four innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out five and walking two.

“It was a good day; productive,” said Hutchinson. “I was able to really get my fastball going, get into a good rhythm, especially the last innings. I felt good repeating the delivery and made quality pitches.”

Hutchinson was acquired by the Pirates last season in a trade for Francisco Liriano. In nine innings this spring, Hutchinson, 26, has an ERA of 2.00.