Correia sharp but Pirates fall to Rays

Associated Press

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla.

The Tampa Bay Rays have taken a conservative approach when it’s come to their injured players this spring.

A pair of Rays took big steps forward Sunday as third baseman Evan Longoria and designated hitter Luke Scott made their spring debuts in Tampa Bay’s 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Overshadowing their return was Rays starter Jeff Niemann, who tossed three perfect innings in his second spring start. The right-hander, vying for a spot in the rotation, threw only 27 pitches and used his entire repertoire.

Longoria was hitless and committed a throwing error in the fourth inning. Scott was also hitless.

Pirates right-hander Kevin Correia was sharp in three scoreless innings. He yielded two hits with a walk and a strikeout in his second spring start.

“Everything felt pretty good,” Correia said. “I got some longer counts with some guys, and managed to get them out. All and all, I was pretty happy with it.”

Pittsburgh’s lineup looked similar to what it is projected to look like on opening day, but the Pirates were held to just four hits.

Pedro Alvarez hit his second homer of the spring in the fifth against Rays reliever Joel Peralta.

“Pedro put another real good swing on a ball,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “I like the fact from the first at-bat he was ready to hit. [Peralta] fired a first-pitch strike.”

Jake Fox homered in the ninth for Pittsburgh. The Rays scored twice in the bottom half and won on a single by Chris Gimenez.

“You always look for positive things that happen during every spring training game, every ‘B’ game regardless of the outcome,” Hurdle said. “It’s not all about the outcome. I think at this point in time towards the back of spring training, we’re a little more focused on getting the right people in the situations in that you feel they are going to perform in during the season.”