Mar 28, 2017 1 min read

BRADENTON, Fla. – Mookie Betts hit a home run and had four RBI, and knuckleballer Steven Wright allowed one run over four strong innings as the Boston Red Sox defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-2 Tuesday night.

The Red Sox scored six runs in the top of the first inning against Pittsburgh starter Drew Hutchinson, who is in competition for the Pirates’ fifth spot on the starting rotation. Hutchinson gave up 10 hits, nine runs, two walks and two home runs in 3 2/3 innings. Pittsburgh trailed 9-0 when Hutchinson exited the game.

Outfielder Jose Osuna, who has made a strong case to make the Pirates’ opening day roster, was 2-for-2 and drove in one of Pittsburgh’s runs.

Earlier in the day, the Pirates optioned pitcher Steven Brault to Class AAA Indianapolis Tuesday, reducing the number of pitchers who could get the final starting rotation spot to three. The Pirates also optioned shortstop Gift Ngoepe to Indianapolis, and reassigned infielder Jason Rogers and pitcher Josh Lindblom to minor league camp.

Brault allowed six runs and 16 hits, with eight strikeouts and five walks in 15/23 innings this spring.