The Pirates scored one run in the top of the ninth inning then held on for a 2-2 tie in Port Charlotte.
Outfielder Jared Oliva led off the last inning with a single and came around on a double into the left field corner by veteran Charlie Tilson. The Bucs loaded the bases with a pair of walks but could not score a go ahead run and when Montana DuRapau got the side in order the Pirates had their second tie of the spring.
Mitch Keller allowed 1 run through 3 innings then was lifted after he walked the lead-off batter in the fourth. The run was earned also Pirate-aided - Yandy Diaz ended up at third when his shot down the line got past rightfielder Jason Martin for a triple then he scored on Keller's wild pitch. Keller allowed just that hit while striking out 5.
"I thought I did really well," Keller said, "stuff was really crisp today, ball felt great coming out, slider felt really good." Keller says it to good to at least start a fourth inning, although he admitted he did feel a little tired. "Feels weird to say I was tired in the fourth inning," Keller joked.
Another lefty, Nik Turley, had an impressive outing with a 1-2-3 sixth which included 2 strikeouts.
The Pirates other run came in the top of the first. Bryan Reynolds walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch then scored on Colin Moran's blooper to left. Moran finished with 2 hits; the other a bunt sigle to third to beat a shift.
The club is expected to make it's first round of roster cuts Monday or Tuesday, with the second off day coming up Wednesday.
