North Shore Nine

The Pirates defeated the Rays today at LECOM park by the final score of 12-8.

Mitch Keller was not sharp to start his second outing of the spring season. Keller gave up three runs on three hits and a walk to start the top of the first. Bryan Reynolds grabbed one back in the bottom of the frame hitting his 2nd homerun of the spring. Keller came back out to pitch a scoreless 2nd inning, striking out two.

The Pirates took the lead in the bottom of the 2nd on a 3 run homerun by Jared Triolo. Liover Peguero added an RBI groundout in the bottom of the 3rd. Wily Peralta pitched two scoreless innings replacing Keller on the mound in the top of the 3rd. Tampa clawed a run back in the 5th on a fielders choice off of Kyle Nicholas.

Ke’Bryan Hayes padded the lead in the bottom of the frame with an RBI double. Rays added another in the sixth off of Jose Hernandez, with the Pirates answering right back with a Jason Delay RBI single. Hunter Stratton came on to pitch a perfect 7th frame for the Pirates.

Gilberto Celestino continues to have a hell of a spring training for the Pirates. Celestino launched a grand slam into the stands to give the Pirates a 12-5 lead in the 8th.

Sean Sullivan came in to pitch the ninth for the Pirates. He made things interesting surrendering 3 runs, but was able to hold on long enough for the Pirates to secure the win.

The Pirates will be back at it tomorrow at home in Bradenton against the Detroit Tigers at 1:05 PM. The game will be on the radio on 93.7 The Fan, expected starters are Roansy Contreras and Jack Flaherty.