Morneau’s three-run double spills Pirates

Associated Press

FORT MYERS, Fla.

Justin Morneau was on Vance Worley’s side this time.

That’s the way the right-hander likes it.

Morneau hit a three-run double for Minnesota and the newcomer Worley pitched two scoreless innings in his spring debut for the Twins in a 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday.

Worley was acquired in a trade with Philadelphia for outfielder Ben Revere. The right-hander gave up two hits and struck out one, far better than his previous start at Hammond Stadium while pitching for the Phillies last March. Worley gave up 11 runs off 11 hits in that exhibition game, including a two-run homer to Morneau.

Jose Tabata homered for the Pirates.

Kyle McPherson, in contention for the fifth spot in Pittsburgh’s rotation, needed just 12 pitches to finish his two innings. The right-hander gave up one hit.

“For Kyle’s first time out, our biggest interest was in the up and down twice,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “Obviously, we’re going to monitor him and not give him too many innings. We’ve got plenty of time to get his pitch count where it needs to be.”

McPherson, a September call-up by the Pirates, said that experience helped prepare him for competing for a spot this spring training. McPherson had a 2.73 ERA in 10 appearances last season with the Pirates, including three starts.

“I was able to see how they went about their day and their routines. I got used to the atmosphere,” McPherson said.

“It’s not like I was shell-shocked or anything like that, but like I said I was able to get my feet wet.”