The Pittsburgh Pirates scored both of their runs Wednesday on an error with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the eighth inning, and held on for a 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins in a Grapefruit League preseason baseball game played in Fort Myers, Florida.
Tito Polo and Jordy Mercer both scored on the bobble by catcher-turned-first baseman Joe Mauer on a ball hit by Travis Snider. The win went to Tony Watson in a relief role. Brandon Cumpton had started for the Pirates (14-9-3). He pitched five innings of scoreless, two-hit ball with four strikeouts and one walk.
Minnesota’s Oswaldo Arcia had broken a scoreless tie with a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning off Watson.
One day after the Pirates slammed 29 hits in a 22-5 romp over Toronto, both teams managed only four base hits.
Pittsburgh will play their final tune-up game in Florida on Thursday afternoon, hosting the New York Yankees at McKechnie Field in Bradenton. The Bucs will conclude their preseason schedule with a pair of games against the Phillies in Philadelphia on Friday night and Saturday afternoon.
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