Keyed by a run-scoring double by top prospect Konnor Griffin, the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the New York Yankees, 5-3, in spring training baseball Monday night in Tampa, Fla.
With the Pirates trailing 3-1 and the bases loaded in the top of the fifth, Griffin hit a two-run, two-out, two-strike double off Jake Bird down the third-base line to tie the score. He finished 1 for 4 with two strikeouts.
Griffin has eight RBIs, tied with teammates Ryan O’Hearn and Yordany De Los Santos for second-most in the Grapefruit League.
Jose Urquidy, bidding to start the season in the Pirates rotation, gave up three runs on four hits in 3 2/3 innings. He allowed solo home runs to Giancarlo Stanton and Paul DeJong and an RBI double to Cody Bellinger.
Before Griffin’s double in the fifth, DH Endy Rodriguez homered off of Max Fried, his second of the spring, to make it 3-1.
The Pirates took a 4-3 lead when third baseman Tyler Callihan singled and came around to score on a groundout by second baseman Enmanuel Valdez in the sixth inning. Catcher Shawn Ross delivered an RBI double in the eighth.
Center fielder Jhostynxon Garcia went 1 for 3 to run his spring hitting streak to six games.
Isaac Matson retired all four batters he faced to pick up the win. Mason Montgomery, Yohan Ramirez and Beau Burrows also recorded four outs each in scoreless relief outings.
Note: The Pirates optioned right-handed pitchers Brandan Bidois, Wilber Dotel, Thomas Harrington and Antwone Kelly and outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez to Triple-A Indianapolis. They also reassigned catcher Omar Alfonzo, right-handed pitcher Khristian Curtis and outfielder/infielder Mitch Jebb to minor league camp. There are now 54 players (53 active) remaining in major league camp.
