Pirates lose spring opener
Austin Pruitt pitched 1 ½ innings of relief and earned the win, and Edwin Fiero gave up a hit in the ninth and earned the save, as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-3 in the spring training opener Friday in Port Charlotte, Fla.
Kevin Kiermaier singled to drive in two runs and Brad Miller doubled home two more for the Rays.
Austin Meadows doubled twice and singled to drive in two runs for the Pirates. Pittsburgh added the lefty-swinging outfielder to their 40-man roster in November. After being drafted ninth overall in 2013, Meadows could make his major-league debut this summer.
Losing pitcher Alex McRae gave up four runs on four hits in the third inning.
The Pirates released outfielder Michael Saunders from the minor-league contract he signed Wednesday, allowing him to sign with the Kansas City Royals.
When Saunders signed with Pittsburgh, he was told he would compete for the vacant starting job in left field. That position was filled Thursday when Corey Dickerson was acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay.