Pirates rally for 1st spring training victory
Notice: Undefined variable: article_ad_placement3 in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/single.php on line 128
BRADENTON, Fla. – Pittsburgh rallied from a four-run deficit to defeat Atlanta 13-4 in Grapefruit League action Tuesday afternoon at LECOM Park.
The Pirates (1-3) won their first spring training game, while the Braves fell to 1-3.
Pittsburgh scored four runs in the third inning to tie the game at 4-4 before adding two in the fifth for a 6-4 lead, but exploded in the sixth for seven runs on four hits to take control.
Jack Brannigan walked and Matt Fraizer reached on an error by Atlanta pitcher Tommy Doyle, which moved Brannigan to third with no outs.
Brannigan scored on Seth Beer’s single for a 7-4 advantage and Fraizer crossed home plate on Jase Bowen’s line drive to right field for a four-run lead.
Bowen stole second, and after Tres Gonzalez walked, the Braves brought in Anthony Vizcaya to pitch.
Beer and Bowen scored on sacrifice flies by Mike Jarvis and Henry Davis for a 10-4 lead.
Abrahan Gutierrez two-run pinch-hit home run to left center field extended the Pirates’ advantage to 12-4. Jackson Glenn followed with a solo homer to center field for a 13-4 lead.
The Bucs tied the game at 4-4 in the third on Ke’Bryan Hayes’ grand slam to center field that also scored Jack Suwinski, Liover Peguero and Oneil Cruz.
Suwinski doubled, Peguero singled and Cruz walked to load the bases for Hayes.
The Pirates took their first lead in the fifth on Bryan Reynolds’ two-run homer on a line drive to center field for a 6-4 edge. Cruz, who had walked, scored on Reynolds’ dinger.
Jose Hernandez didn’t allow a hit and walked one in a scoreless fifth to earn the win.
Hunter Stratton didn’t allow a run in the sixth for the save. Kyle Nicolas, Michael Plassmeyer and J.C. Flowers pitched one inning apiece to close out the game. Flowers struck out the side in the ninth.
Pittsburgh starter Marco Gonzales had a tough start in allowing three earned runs on six hits in 1 2/3 innings. He struck out two and walked one.
Chris Sale started for the Braves and pitched a perfect two innings with four strikeouts.