Spring training breakdown: Rays 4, Pirates 2

<div style='float:right;width:100%;' align='right'><em> Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review</em></div>Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer loses the ball as Tampa Bay's Mike Fontenot slides into second base Thursday, March 7, 2013, at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla.

<div style='float:right;width:100%;' align='right'><em> Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review</em></div>The Pirates' Gaby Sanchez makes a backhanded play on a ball hit to third base during a game against the Rays on Thursday, March 7, 2013, at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla.

<div style='float:right;width:100%;' align='right'><em> Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review</em></div>Pirates right fielder Travis Snider hits the wall as he makes a catch against the Rays on Thursday, March 7, 2013, at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla.

<div style='float:right;width:100%;' align='right'><em>Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review</em></div>Pirates pitcher James McDonald delivers against the Rays on Thursday, March 7, 2013, at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla.

<div style='float:right;width:100%;' align='right'><em> Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review</em></div>Pirates left fielder Felix Pie makes a catch near the wall against the Rays on Thursday, March 7, 2013, at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla.

<div style='float:right;width:100%;' align='right'><em> Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review</em></div>Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Sean Rodriguez makes a diving catch to rob the Pirates' Felix Pie of a hit Thursday, March 7, 2013, at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla.

<div style='float:right;width:100%;' align='right'><em>Christopher Horner</em></div>Pirates pitcher James McDonald delivers against the Rays on Thursday, March 7, 2013, at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla.

About Karen Price

Karen Price

412-320-7980
Sports Reporter
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Details

FRIDAY'S game

oRIOLES AT PIRATES

7:05 p.m., McKechnie Field

Bradenton, Fla.

TV: Root Sports

Pirates starter: RHP Kyle McPherson

Orioles starter: LHP Wei-Yin Chen

By Karen Price

Published: Thursday, March 7, 2013, 7:15 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, April 3, 2013

THURSDAY'S RESULT

RAYS 4, PIRATES 2

Pirates starter: James McDonald: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 HB

Rays starter: Alex Cobb: 4 IP, 1 H, 0R, 0 BB, 5K.

Aw, shucks: James McDonald picked off Desmond Jennings at first base in the first inning. “I had a compliment (Thursday from outfielder Darren Ford) saying I had a quick move,” he said. “I never heard that in my career before, so that's something I can look forward to using this year as a weapon.”

Oh, K: Rays pitchers Alex Cobb, Chris Archer and Jake Odorizzi combined to record 11 strikeouts. The Pirates had only two hits — both singles — entering the ninth inning before Matt Hague singled, Jared Goedert walked and Russell Martin doubled off Jake Odorizzi to make it 4-2.

Stock up: Josh Harrison made a leaping catch on a drive by Mike Fontenot in the first inning. He also stole a base and recorded his first hit of the spring and the first off Cobb, who retired all eight batters before Harrison's third-inning single.

Stock down: Brad Hawpe struck out in the second inning for the eighth time in 15 at-bats and was charged with an error in the third. Hawpe entered the game with a .143 batting average in seven games.

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Spring training breakdown: Rays 4, Pirates 2

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