Pirates topple Indians 3-2 behind Snell's pitching

The Bucs' young pitcher had four shutout innings against Cleveland.
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Ian Snell doesn't want to be the Angry Young Pirate any longer.
Snell, one of the best starting pitchers in the minors last season, kept pushing for one of the two openings in the Pittsburgh Pirates' rotation by working four shutout innings in a 3-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Friday.
Snell's spring training pitching line to date -- a 1.38 ERA in four games, three of them scoreless outings -- is exactly what the Pirates were seeking from one of their top prospects. Snell won his first nine decisions and was 11-4 with a 3.70 ERA at Triple-A Indianapolis last season before going 1-2 with a 5.14 ERA in 15 Pirates games.
Attitude change
The biggest change in Snell is his attitude. Upset at being sent down to the minors last spring, he admittedly went to Indianapolis with a nasty disposition that didn't go away even after he was promoted to the majors.
"I pitched with a chip on my shoulder and it actually worked out good for me," Snell said.
He credits pitching coach Jim Colborn and manager Jim Tracy for his personality change, saying they aren't as confrontational as former manager Lloyd McClendon and pitching coach Spin Williams.
"It's a lot looser camp, and that's what we kind of needed," Snell said. "It helps you feel more comfortable on the mound, knowing the pitching coach ain't going to yell at you, he's going to teach you."
The 24-year-old Snell has one advantage -- he's a right-hander on a team that will begin the season with at least three left-handed starters in Zach Duke, Paul Maholm and Oliver Perez. Because he's a much harder thrower, Snell could fit into the rotation between Duke and Maholm, who rely more on location and control than velocity.
Battling for final two spots
With right-hander Kip Wells not expected back until midseason, Snell is competing with right-handers Victor Santos, Brandon Duckworth and Ryan Vogelsong and left-handers Sean Burnett and Tom Gorzelanny for two starters' jobs.
The Pirates, long one of the majors' worst defensive teams, made a series of outstanding plays in beating the Indians, getting the go-ahead run when Freddy Sanchez worked Danny Graves for a bases-loaded walk in the eighth.
Byrd also made an effective start, striking out three while allowing three hits over four scoreless innings. The Indians welcomed back catcher Victor Martinez and right-hander Rafael Betancourt after they played in the World Baseball Classic.