PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Tampa Bay catcher Robinson Chirinos drove in four runs — three coming on a bases-clearing double in the bottom of the seventh — as the Rays topped the Pirates, 9-5, on Saturday at Charlotte Sports Park.
The Pirates opened the scoring with two in the second against Rays bullpen hopeful Adam Russell. Ronny Cedeno hit into a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded to drive home one and Jose Tabata singled home another.
Charlie Morton and Brad Lincoln — who are vying for the fifth spot in the Pittsburgh rotation — pitched first for the Pirates.
Pedro Alvarez and David Price face off in the first inning of Saturday’s game. (Dave Arrigo/Pirates)
Morton started and held the Rays to no runs on one hit and one walk in two innings of work; he was supported by two double-plays.
Lincoln pitched out of a jam in the third. After allowing two-out singles to Sean Rodriguez and Reid Brignac, the right-hander struck out John Jaso swinging before picking off Rodriguez from second base to end the inning.
Evan Longoria homered off Lincoln with one out in the fourth to cut the Pittsburgh lead to 2-1. For the day, Lincoln allowed one run on three hits with one strikeout.
David Price started for the Rays, and the 2010 runner-up for the American League Cy Young Award pitched one inning, allowing one hit, one walk and striking out one while throwing 17 pitches, 10 of which were strikes.
Matt Bush had a nice showing in the third for the Rays when the right-hander struck out Andrew McCutchen on a nice breaking pitch and retired Pedro Alvarez on a pop out before striking out Matt Diaz to finish the inning.
Rodriguez hit solo homer in the fifth of Chris Resop to tie the game at 2.
Up next: The Pirates will host the Rays at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla., for a 1:05 p.m. ET contest Sunday afternoon. The Pirates will open the home portion of their Grapefruit League schedule in what will be the first of seven home games the Pirates are slated to play in the next nine days.
Right-hander Kevin Correia will be making his Pirates debut in the game, and is scheduled to throw the first two innings. He will be followed on the mound by Brian Burres, Joel Hanrahan and Joe Beimel. Manager Clint Hurdle will use most of his regular starting position players early in the game.
Bill Chaistain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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