Bucs’ Monroe hits 3 homers in win

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Craig Monroe homered three times against his former team Thursday, powering the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

Monroe hit solo shots in the second and third innings off Scott Baker. In the sixth, he hit a two-run homer off reliever Kevin Mulvey.

“Some days, you just can’t explain,” Monroe said. “I’m working on a process, some things that I really feel will give me a chance to take some good swings. To go out today and see the process and the plan work, it’s gratifying.”

Monroe leads the Pirates with six home runs. He’s gone deep in three straight games.

“We helped Craig Monroe make the [Pirates],” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. “I’m happy for him. He looks like he’s really worked hard this winter, and he killed us today.”

Monroe was cut by the Twins in August after batting just .202 in 58 games. This offseason, he signed a minor league contract with the Pirates and is trying to win a bench job during spring training.

Monroe’s first homer off Baker came on a fastball, the second was on a curveball.

“Bake’s a good friend,” Monroe said. “He didn’t live that far from me in the offseason. You always feel bad when it’s your buddy. At the same time, I’m pushing and working hard, trying to make this team. I’m trying to open up some eyes.”

Right-hander Vigil Vasquez pitched the first three innings for the Pirates. He gave up two hits and got one strikeout.

It was the first start of the spring for Vasquez, who missed about two weeks with biceps tendinitis.