Final, Pirates 7-6: That’ll do it.
The Red Sox went down without a whisper in the ninth inning, and the Pirates walk away with a 7-6 victory.
Pedro Alvarez and Russell Martin both went deep against Brandon Workman, who was charged with five earned runs in 2 1/3 innings, and the Pirates opened up a 6-1 lead to begin the game.
The Red Sox stormed back with two runs in the seventh inning and three runs in the eighth inning. Bryce Brentz and Mike Carp combined for a pair of two-run homers.
The Pirates regained the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning, though, as former Red Sox farmhand Chris McGuiness plated Jarek Cunningham with a wall-ball double off Henry Owens. That would be enough for Pittsburgh to secure the victory.
A.J. Pierzynski rolled his ankle in the seventh inning and was lifted for a pinch runner. But the Red Sox catcher said after exiting that he felt fine, which is good news for Boston.
End 8th, Pirates 7-6: It didn’t take long for Pittsburgh to regain the lead.
Chris McGuiness, a former Red Sox farmhand, plated Jarek Cunningham with a wall-ball double to give the Pirates a 7-6 edge in the eighth inning.
McGuiness, who is now 5-for-10 this spring, was drafted by the Red Sox in the 13th round of the 2009 draft. The 25-year-old first baseman was traded to the Texas Rangers in the 2010 deal that sent Jarrod Saltalamacchia to Boston.
Mid 8th, 6-6: The Red Sox have tied things up at six apiece.
Mike Carp connected on a two-run homer in the eighth inning. Mike McCoy led off the eighth with a walk before Carp took Bryan Morris deep.
Things didn’t get any easier for Morris from there, as Brandon Snyder walked and Blake Swihart singled into left field. That forced Pirates manager Clint Hurdle to make a pitching change.
Nate Baker took over for Morris. He was greeted by Deven Marrero, who singled into right field.
Pete Hissey tied the game with a sacrifice fly to left field.
End 7th, Pirates 6-3: Henry Owens worked a 1-2-3 seventh inning for Boston.
Owens struck out Tony Sanchez to begin the inning. The left-hander then retired Jaff Decker and Pedro Alvarez on a pair of groundouts to first baseman Travis Shaw.
Mid 7th, Pirates 6-3: Zack Thornton entered the game and finished off the top of the seventh inning.
Bryce Brentz’s two-run homer has made this a game, though.
3:26 p.m., Pirates 6-3: Bryce Brentz homered in the seventh inning to cut Pittsburgh’s lead to 6-3.
A.J. Pierzynski set the table for Brentz’s two-run homer with a single, but the Red Sox catcher exited the game in the inning. It looked like Pierzynski might have tweaked his hamstring while running the bases.
I’m going to jump down to the Red Sox’s clubhouse for player reaction and an update on Pierzynski. I’ll be back soon, but you can also follow the action right here in the meantime.
End 6th, Pirates 6-1: Burke Badenhop found himself in some trouble in the sixth inning, but the Pirates were unable to extend their lead.
Gregory Polanco legged out a single to begin the inning. He swiped second base with one out, but was thrown out by Badenhop at third base after the right-hander sprung off the mound to field a comebacker.
Michael Martinez doubled over right fielder Bryce Brentz’s head with two outs and Matt Hague on first base. Hague was held up at third base after a wide turn, though, and Badenhop escaped the inning by getting Quincy Latimore to fly out to left-center field.
Mid 6th, Pirates 6-1: Tony Watson kept Pittsburgh’s lead at five runs with a perfect sixth inning.
Jonathan Herrera, Mike Carp and Ryan Lavarnway couldn’t make any noise in the sixth. Carp tried to check his swing but was rung up by the third base umpire.
Burke Badenhop will be Boston’s new pitcher in the bottom of the sixth inning, and he’ll be accompanied by at least one additional substitution. Travis Shaw will replace Lavarnway at first base.
End 5th, Pirates 6-1: Junichi Tazawa worked a scoreless fifth inning.
Andrew McCutchen ensured it wasn’t a 1-2-3 frame by singling into left field. Tazawa otherwise looked sharp, though, retiring Russell Martin, Pedro Alvarez and Neil Walker.
Martin and Alvarez, each of whom homered earlier, flied out. Walker grounded out to his second base counterpart to end the inning.
The Pirates are making several defensive changes as the sixth inning gets underway. Tony Watson will be the new pitcher.
Mid 5th, Pirates 6-1: Old friend Mark Melancon took care of business in his first appearance of the spring.
Melancon retired Garin Cecchini, Brock Holt and Daniel Nava in order.
Cecchini, who has enjoyed a good camp thus far, was way out in front of a Melancon offering and struck out to begin the inning. Holt popped out and Nava grounded out.
Junichi Tazawa will pitch the fifth inning for Boston.
End 4th, Pirates 6-1: Koji Uehara worked a clean fourth inning — obviously.
Robert Andino, Clint Barmes and Starling Marte went down in order against Uehara, who picked up two strikeouts.
Red Sox manager John Farrell said last week that Uehara’s workload will be monitored this spring because of last season’s hefty workload. The same can be said for Junichi Tazawa, who also is expected to pitch in this game.
Mid 4th, Pirates 6-1: A.J. Pierzynski roped a double over Andrew McCutchen’s head in center field, but the Red Sox were unable to chip away in the fourth inning.
Pierzynski, whose double marked his first hit of the spring, advanced to third base when Jackie Bradley Jr. grounded out to second base for the inning’s second out.
Edinson Volquez avoided any damage by retiring Bryce Brentz on a popup in the infield to end the inning. It was a pretty good bounce-back inning for Volquez.
Koji Uehara will be the new Red Sox pitcher in the fourth inning. This marks Uehara’s first appearance this spring.
End 3rd, Pirates 6-1: The Pirates knocked around Brandon Workman, sending the right-hander to the showers after 2 1/3 innings.
Russell Martin jacked a two-run homer in the third inning after Starling Marte singled with one out. Marte is 2-for-2 with two singles in the contest.
Martin’s home run was the second allowed by Workman, who also surrendered a two-run homer to Pedro Alvarez in the first inning. Workman was charged with five earned runs on five hits overall. He struck out four and didn’t walk anyone.
Workman exited after Andrew McCutchen doubled down the right field line. Chris Resop took over at that point and didn’t fare much better. Alvarez singled home Pittsburgh’s fifth run of the game, and Travis Snider made it 6-1 with a double over Daniel Nava’s head in left field.
Workman showed overpowering stuff at times, but clearly the results weren’t what the 25-year-old was hoping for in his second spring start.
Mid 3rd, Pirates 2-1 Edinson Volquez struggled with his control in the third inning.
Volquez issued two walks, including a free pass to Garin Cecchini to begin the inning.
Brock Holt nearly grounded into a double play after Cecchini’s leadoff walk. First baseman Andrew Lambo floated his throw to second base, though, and shortstop Clint Barmes didn’t have a chance to spin the twin killing.
Holt took off for second base with Daniel Nava batting and reached as Volquez’s pitch got away from catcher Russell Martin. The Red Sox stayed aggressive on the bases, with Holt and Nava each swiping a bag to set up second and third with one out for Jonathan Herrera.
Herrera knocked in Boston’s first run with a towering fly ball to center field. Holt tagged up and easily trotted home on the sacrifice fly.
End 2nd, Pirates 2-0: Brandon Workman kept the ball in the yard in the second inning, retiring the Bucs in order.
Ryan Lavarnway, who is seeing his first live game action at first base, flashed some leather in the second. The 26-year-old hit the dirt to take a hit away from Travis Snider.
Workman retired Andrew Lambo and Robert Andino to end the inning. Lambo struck out, marking Workman’s third strikeout of the contest.
Mid 2nd, Pirates 2-0: Francisco Liriano had a good, clean second inning.
A.J. Pierzynski led off the second with a line drive to second baseman Neil Walker. Walker put it away for out No. 1.
Liriano then capped the inning by striking out Jackie Bradley Jr. and Bryce Brentz. Bradley and Bradley both went down swinging.
End 1st, Pirates 2-0: Pedro Alvarez already is beastin’ out there.
Alvarez, who was 3-for-8 with two doubles entering the contest, jacked a two-run homer in the second inning to give the Pirates an early 2-0 edge.
Starling Marte helped set the table for the two-run blast by singling to lead off the frame.
Brandon Workman retired Russell Martin and Andrew McCutchen via a groundout and strikeout, respectively. Workman even went high and tight with a couple of pitches.
Alvarez absolutely crushed his home run to right-center field. The ball landed on the boardwalk area beyond the fence.
Mid 1st, 0-0: Francisco Liriano worked around a two-out walk to keep the Red Sox scoreless in the first inning.
Liriano induced a couple of ground ball outs to begin the contest. Daniel Nava grounded to shortstop Clint Barmes, and Jonathan Herrera grounded to third baseman Robert Andino.
Mike Carp, batting in the No. 3 hole, worked a walk, but Liriano bounced back to strike out Ryan Lavarnway, who is getting the nod at first base.
1:07 p.m.: Francisco Liriano kicks, wheels, deals, the offering…
11 a.m. ET: The Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates will square off in Bradenton, Fla., on Monday.
The Red Sox will send Brandon Workman to the mound for his second spring training start. Jake Peavy initially was scheduled to start Monday’s game, but the veteran right-hander injured his left index finger during a fishing knife accident Saturday.
Peavy, who sported a large bandage at JetBlue Park on Monday, downplayed the severity of his injury, saying he hopes to resume baseball activities Tuesday.
Daniel Nava will lead off for Boston on Monday. He’ll be joined in the outfield by Jackie Bradley Jr. and Bryce Brentz. Ryan Lavarnway will garner some game action at first base, as the Red Sox are looking to see whether that could become an option for the 26-year-old.
Monday’s complete lineup is below.
Boston Red Sox
Daniel Nava, LF
Jonathan Herrera, 2B
Mike Carp, DH
Ryan Lavarnway, 1B
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Bryce Brentz, RF
Garin Cecchini, 3B
Brock Holt, SS
Brandon Workman, RHP
