It’s only spring training, but the Pittsburgh Pirates keep finding new ways to lose.
Derek Holland and four others combined for a two-hitter Thursday, but the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Pirates, 2-1, in Port Charlotte, Fla.
A veteran lefty on a minor league contract and competing to be the No. 5 starter, Holland allowed a home run on the first pitch he threw as former Pirates outfielder Austin Meadows hit a line-drive homer to right. But Holland did not allow another hit and allowed just two more baserunners (both walks) over the next 14 hitters he faced.
ICYMI: My story for @TribSports: OF prospect Jason Martin excited to get another chance with #Pirates https://t.co/V6BLhH5Pp7 #MLB
— John Perrotto (@JPerrotto) March 5, 2020
The Rays’ only other hit and run both came in the sixth off of Keone Kela, who walked Willy Adames and gave up an RBI single to Nate Lowe.
Chad Kuhl, Kyle Crick and Nick Burdi worked a perfect inning each, with Burdi striking out two to give him seven in 3 2/3 innings this spring.
Josh Bell went 2 for 2 to give him four hits in his past seven at-bats. He has reached base safely in five consecutive games. Jason Martin went 2 for 3 with a triple and his team-leading third stolen base.
JMart with a TRIP! TRIP! TRIPLE!#LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/jeGSRWeL8c
— Pirates (@Pirates) March 5, 2020
Infielder Erik Gonzalez made his spring debut after offseason foot surgery. He started at third base and went 0 for 3.
The Pirates (2-11) allowed 46 runs over their previous five defeats.
The Blue Jays will host the Pirates at 1:07 p.m. Friday in Dunedin, Fla. Chris Archer, Joe Musgrove, Geoff Hartlieb, Blake Cederlind and Edgar Santana are scheduled to pitch for the Pirates.
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