Ke'Bryan Hayes homered on a 3-2 pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning to break a 6-6 tie and give the Pirates their second straight Grapefruit League win, 10-6 over the Marlins at LECOM Park. It was Hayes' second home run of the game which matched the starting third baseman.
Jung Ho Kang also homered twice, albeit with no runners on base. He took advantage of a strong Gulf wind and launched 2 fly balls to left field, his second over the seats. "I've never been part of a game where I had different third basemen hit 2 home runs," said Clint Hurdle, who has seen just about everything over his playing/coaching/managing career.
Kang also flashed some leather at third base. "It just showed that he conditioned well," said Hurdle, "And he's going to continue to get reps. He made a couple of plays, he got pitches to hit and didn't miss them."
Another top prospect, first baseman Will Craig, had given the Bucs a 6-5 lead with an RBI single in the 7th but they lost the lead with two outs in the top of the ninth.
New guys Lonnie Chisenhall and Erik Gonzalez gave the Bucs a 1-0 lead two pitches into the bottom of the first inning, Chisenhall with a double to wall in right center and Gonzalez with a single through the right side.
In his first chance to win the 5th starter's spot, Nick Kingham pitched 2 scoreless innings with 2 hits, 1 strikeout and a walk (to Pedro Alvarez). "You always want to leave a good impression in the coaches' minds and (with) the decision makers."
Francisco Liriano allowed one hit with one strikeout in his inning.
Nick Burdi struck out the side in his inning but also gave up a HR to Lewis Brinson.
Jameson Taillon, Chris Archer, and Kyle Crick all pitched simulated games or live BP at Pirate City. Taillon went 2 innings, Archer and Crick one apiece and each threw well, according to Hurdle.
Jordan Lyles is scheduled to start tomorrow against the Red Sox in Bradenton at 1:05. The game can be heard on Newsradio 1020, KDKA.
