Polanco, Sanchez power Bucs past Twins

Associated Press

FORT MYERS, Fla.

Gregory Polanco and Tony Sanchez hit solo home runs to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to rain-shortened 4-2 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday.

The game was called in the top of the eighth inning.

Sanchez’s opposite-field shot was his third homer this spring.

“He’s playing as well as I’ve ever seen him play,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “He’s playing with confidence. He came to work. He came to get better. He came to make the club, regardless of what personnel was in place.”

Both Pirates homers came off Trevor May, who was making his final bid to open the season in the big league rotation. May was lifted after 42/3 innings, having allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk.

Left-hander Tommy Milone appears to have the upper hand in that three-way competition with May and veteran right-hander Mike Pelfrey. A decision is likely today.

Brian Dozier singled, tripled and made a leaping catch of a line drive behind second base for the Twins.

Torii Hunter walked twice and singled but also was picked off first. Joe Mauer added an RBI groundout.

Pirates lefthander Jeff Locke, competing with righthander Vance Worley for the final rotation spot, allowed two runs on eight hits and three walks over 52/3 innings.

The Twins put at least one runner on base in every inning against Locke, but he managed to work out of trouble each time except the third.

“I like the way he went out today,” Hurdle said. “He got challenged out of the stretch and he continued to compete, make pitches and stay out of the big inning.”

Pirates catcher Chris Stewart (strained hamstring) will probably open the season on the disabled list.