By Rob Biertempfel

Published: Friday, March 22, 2013, 5:39 p.m.
Updated: Friday, March 22, 2013

pirates 6, rays (SS) 4

Rays starter: RHP Alex Cobb 6.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO

Pirates starter: RHP Jeanmar Gomez 4 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 1 HBP

The decider: Minor leaguer Stefan Welch hit a game-winning, three-run HR in the eighth inning. It was Welch's first at-bat in a Grapefruit League game.

Hello: Newcomer John McDonald's first hit with the Pirates was an RBI single to left field that gave them a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning.

Yikes: Gaby Sanchez hit a sizzling liner up the middle, which went directly into Cobb's glove as he instinctively moved to protect himself. “I was lucky that it didn't get any part of my body,” Cobb said.

Stock up: Jordy Mercer walked, laid down a nice sacrifice bunt and made an acrobatic defensive play at second base.

Stock down: Lefty Mike Zagurski failed to hold a two-run lead in the fifth inning, serving up a homer for the third outing in a row.

1. Pirates notebook: Beanballs escalate tension against Reds
2. Pirates notebook: Hurdle says offense needs to get rolling
3. Pirates notebook: Mercer now the top option at shortstop
4. Pirates announce signing of first-round pick McGuire
5. Pirates notebook: McDonald’s role might be in relief
6. Pirates notebook: Burnett goes on DL with ‘discomfort’ in calf
7. Cole solid again as Pirates beat Dodgers
8. Reds hit 4 solo homers, defeat Pirates, 4-1
9. First-rounder McGuire expected to sign with Pirates on Tuesday
10. Morton, quick start propel Pirates past Reds
11. Biertempfel: Pirates no stranger to baseball’s ‘rogue side’

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