The Pittsburgh Pirates used three home runs to win 8-7 in Dunedin, Fl., against the Toronto Blue Jays in a game which served as both teams Spring Training openers.
Pedro Alvarez hit the first Pirates home run, a three-run shot to left field off Blue Jays pitcher Aaron Sanchez. Sanchez would allow a total of five runs and four hits in 1.1 innings pitched. The Pirates scored their other two runs against Sanchez when Jaff Decker hit a double off the center-field wall. Decker was 2-3 on the afternoon with two RBI. The double also knocked Sanchez out of the game.
Casey Sadler started for the Pirates and threw two scoreless and hit less innings, walking one batter.
In his first ever Spring Training game, Jung-ho Kang connected for the second Pirates home run to center field, off Marco Estrada, who allowed 29 home runs last season with the Milwaukee Brewers making the score 6-0 in favor of the visitors.
Stolmy Pimentel who is attempting to win a potential bullpen spot struggled in the third inning allowing three runs, two hits, two walks and threw nine strikes in 19 pitches. The damage was done on a Kevin Pillar two-run home run and an RBI ground out from Jose Bautista.
With Steve Delabar pitching for the Blue Jays in the fifth, Alvarez struck again, this time on the first pitch to left field which was lost in the sun by Dalton Pompey. Alvarez wound up with an RBI double. The Pirates first baseman was 2-3 at the plate with four RBI on the day.
The Blue Jays allowed a single run in the fifth inning when Daric Barton singled off Pirates left-hander Bobby LaFromboise. LaFromboise allowed three hits in the inning.
Elias Diaz, a .328 hitter in Double-A Altoona last season, hit the third home run of the afternoon for the Pirates off Kyle Drabek, a solo shot which made the score 8-4 Pirates.
Josh Wall pitched the bottom of the eighth for the Pirates and allowed runners to reach first and third with no body out. This wound up hurting him as catcher Josh Thole singled in front of center fielder Mel Rojas Jr. to plate two runs.
In the ninth inning the Blue Jays scored their seventh run when Mitch Nay singled to left to plate Barton. Beckman loaded the bases with two outs. Devon Travis grounded out to Pedro Florimon who handled a short hop for the final out.
Arquimedes Caminero, Rob Scahill, Brad Lincoln also pitched for the Pirates and also did not allow runs.
These two times will play again Wednesday at McKechnie Field at 1:05 p.m.. Gerrit Cole is expected to start and pitch two innings. Also scheduled to pitch are Vance Worley, Radhames Liz, Tony Watson, Jared Hughes, Antonio Bastardo and John Holdzkom.
