SARASOTA (SNN-TV) – Spring Training finally got underway today on the Suncoast, and fans were out in bunches, eagerly awaiting the action on the diamond.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Today in Bradenton at LECOM Park, the Pirates hosted the New York Yankees.
SS Cole Tucker connected for Pittsburgh’s first homer of the spring with a 429-foot blast to center field leading off the third inning.
Greg Allen’s two-run homer in the fifth inning gave the Pirates a 3-2 lead and they never looked back, picking up the 4-3 victory.
Non-roster invitee Jerad Eickhoff threw 24 of his 29 pitches for strikes while allowing one hit in 3 scoreless innings of work for the win.
Tomorrow, Pittsburgh is scheduled to host the Tigers in Bradenton at 1:05pm, Mitch Keller is expected to start for the Pirates against Detroit’s Casey Mize.
Atlanta Braves
In North Port, the new era at 1B for the Atlanta Braves officially got underway as Matt Olson picked up his first hit as a Brave.
Outfield prospects Jesse Franklin and Drew Waters each picked up RBI’s en route to a Braves 3-1 win over the Minnesota Twins.
Atlanta travels to Port Charlotte tomorrow afternoon, as they’ll take on the Rays at Charlotte Sports Park at 1:05pm.
Baltimore Orioles
Over at Ed Smith Stadium, the Orioles opened there Spring season against the lofty Toronto Blue Jays.
There was plenty of offense to go around in this one. The Orioles would help out the Blue Jays on the day by making 4 errors.
The Orioles got to the Blue Jays early though, as Jose Berrios had trouble in the first inning, giving up 2 hits, a walk, and 2 earned runs.
But despite the hot start, Baltimore would fall in this one 9-5. The O’s are back at it tomorrow at home at 1:05pm against the Yankees.
Tampa Bay Rays
In Fort Myers, in what’s likely the most dramatic finish of the day, the Red Sox hosted the Rays, and Boston’s non-roster invitee SS Christian Koss would walk it off in the 9th to give the Red Sox the 7-6 win over Tampa Bay.
Koss had two solo home-runs on the day, and former Ray Christian Arroyo also picked up two hits.
The Rays were led by outfield prospect Miles Mastrobuoni, who went 2-for-2 with an RBI.
The Rays home opener is set for tomorrow at 1:05pm, where they’ll host the Braves.
