Pirates split as Lyles make pitch for rotation spot
The Pittsburgh Pirates split pair of spring training games Saturday, winning 5-3 over the Philadelphia Phillies in Bradenton, Fla., but losing 12-3 to the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers, Fla.
Jordan Lyles, vying for the final spot in the starting rotation, was the winning pitcher against the Phillies. He allowed three runs over five innings. Lyles was supported by home runs from Corey Dickerson and Oneil Cruz. It was the third home run of the spring by Dickerson.
Relievers Richard Rodriguez, Kyle Crick, Keone Kela and Felipe Rivera followed Lyles on the mound and combined for four shutout innings, allowing only one hit.
Against the Red Sox, the Pirates were shut out for five innings by Boston ace Chris Sale. All of the Pittsburgh runs came on a three-run homer by Ke’Bryan Hayes in the sixth inning off Heath Hembree.
Boston scored six runs in the eighth inning off two Pittsburgh minor league pitchers.
The Pirates announced Saturday that outfielder Melky Cabrera and pitcher Francisco Liriano will both make the opening day roster. Both veterans signed with the Pirates as free agents this offseason.
Cabrera, 34, is batting .310 with three doubles and two RBI in 42 at-bats this spring. Liriano, 35, has a 4.66 ERA in nine appearances.