Pirates pitching roughed up by Twins
BRADENTON, Fla. – Martin Perez made his second start for Minnesota, pitching four shutout innings, and the Minnesota Twins hit four home runs in a 10-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday afternoon.
Pittsburgh starter Clayton Holmes gave up three runs (two earned) on three hits in three innings. All of the runs scored on a three-run homer by LaMonte Wade in the second inning.
Pirates reliever Keone Kela pitched only one inning but gave up four runs, including three homers. Minnesota’s Adam Rosales hit his third home run off the spring during the Twins’ four-run fifth inning.
Corey Dickerson had two singles for Pittsburgh, raising his spring training batting average to .636.
The Pirates made their first round of cuts Saturday and optioned top prospect Mitch Keller to Class AAA Indianapolis. Keller, a right-handed pitcher, had allowed 10 runs on 10 hits and three walks while recording just one strikeout in four innings during spring training.