Former 1st-round draft pick sparks Pirates to win
Will Craig, Pittsburgh’s 2016 first-round draft choice from Wake Forest, homered on the first pitch of the seventh inning to break a tie and the Pirates went on to a 7-5 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in a spring training game Saturday in Bradenton, Fla.
Craig’s home run off Austin Pruitt broke a 4-4 tie and sparked a three-run inning by the Pirates.
Pittsburgh starter Ivan Nova gave up five hits and two runs in three innings. It was the final tuneup for Nova before opening day Thursday, when he’ll face the Tigers in Detroit.
Tyler Glasnow followed with 3 2/3 innings of relief. He gave up two runs but struck out six and did not issue a walk.
The Pirates led 4-2 before the Rays scored twice off Glasnow in the sixth.
In the second inning, Pittsburgh’s Josh Bell doubled to left field, his second in two days. Designated hitter David Freese followed with an RBI single, and Francisco Cervelli hit his third home run of the spring as Pittsburgh took a 3-1 lead. Freese also doubled in the fourth.
Cervelli’s home run was his third of the spring and raised his batting average to .375.
Freese, Josh Harrison and Colin Moran each had two hits for Pittsburgh.
Tamp Bay’s Matt Duffy had three hits and drove in two runs.
The Pirates made several roster moves, optioning outfielder Jordan Luplow, catcher Jacob Stallings and pitchers Tyler Jones and Richard Rodriguez to minor-league camp. All four are expected to start the season at Class AAA Indianapolis. Luplow’s demotion is likely increases the chances that Bryce Brentz, who is out of options, or Jose Osuna will make the opening day roster.
Pittsburgh has 33 players remaining in camp, including three non-roster invitees.