Phillies pound Pirates in Grapefruit League finale, as spring training injury toll mounts

The Pittsburgh Pirates limped out of spring training with a loss.

The injuries hurt more than the outcome.

With the two players vying for the starting job in left field, Anthony Alford and Greg Allen, both headed for the injured list, the Pirates relied upon the positional versatility of their infielders.

Nick Castellanos doubled to drive in one run, JT Realmuto had a two-run double and Kyle Schwarber smashed a two-run homer as the Philadelphia Phillies handed the Pirates a 5-1 defeat in their Grapefruit League finale Tuesday afternoon at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Fla.

The Pirates started Ben Gamel in left field and Cole Tucker in right, using Hoy Park at second base, Kevin Newman at shortstop and Diego Castillo at third before switching things up. Park and Newman flipped spots, and Michael Chavis played first and third base.

Bryan Reynolds went 2 for 3 with an RBI to finish the spring batting .361 (13 for 36) with three home runs and 10 RBIs in 12 games. Castillo batted .371 (13 for 35) and led the team in homers (six) and RBIs (12) in 14 games.

Newman reached base safely in all nine games and finished batting .333 (8 for 24). Tucker hit a double and reached safely in his final 10 games and 11 of 12. Park hit safely in his last seven games (and eight of nine) and batted .308 (8 for 26).

Zach Thompson allowed three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three in four innings. Jerad Eickhoff gave up two runs on three hits, including the Schwarber homer, in two innings.

The Pirates open the season Thursday at St. Louis.