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.

1. Pirates notebook: Morton could be back in early June
2. Pirates outfielder Snider certainly proving to be (big) hit
3. Pirates notebook: Penguins jerseys in fashion for road trip
4. Improved depth could drive Pirates’ fortunes deep into season
5. Starter Liriano impressive again as Pirates blank Cubs
6. Former Pirates prospect Grossman now starting in center for Houston
7. Pirates notebook: McCutchen scratched with soreness in right knee
8. Pirates starters Locke, Wandy enjoying good fortune
9. Pirates minor league notebook: Former 5th-round pick Glasnow shining in rotation
10. Snider’s grand slam pushes Pirates to late victory over Cubs

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