Spring training breakdown: Rays 5, Pirates 1
Friday’s game
vs. Rays
1:05 p.m.
McKechnie Field, Bradenton, Fla.
Rays starter: RHP Jake Ororizzi
Pirates starter: RHP Juan Nicasio
TV: Root Sports, MLB Network
Thursday’s result
Rays 5, Pirates 1
Whoops: Andrew McCutchen lost the grip during his backswing and his bat went flying into the seats behind the Pirates’ dugout. It is the second time that has happened to him this week. No one was struck by the bat.
Who dat?: Michael Suchy, a minor leaguer wearing No. 80 on his nameless jersey, hit a solo homer. It was only the third long ball the Pirates have given up in 10 spring games. Suchy was a fifth-round pick in 2014.
Fight for it: Josh Harrison correctly argued he foul-tipped a pitch, and the first-base umpire overturned a strikeout call. Harrison launched the next pitch deep to left field … but Desmond Jennings caught it one step from the wall.
Bad form: Francisco Liriano bunted into an inning-ending double play in the third. Liriano popped the ball softly to LHP Drew Smyly. Matt Joyce, who had singled, slipped trying to get back to bag.
Close call: Pirates reliever Jorge Rondon ducked just in time to avoid being conked on the head by Thomas Coyle’s line-drive single in the seventh.
Rob Biertempfel is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at rbiertempfel@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BiertempfelTrib.
is a former freelancer.