PORT CHARLOTTE (620 WDAE) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates took advantage of poor relief outings from Danny Farquhar and Cory Rasmus, putting up six runs in the fifth inning to help send the Tampa Bay Rays to their first loss of the spring, a 7-2 decision at Charlotte Sports Park.
Tampa Bay, down 1-0 going into the fateful frame, saw Farquhar start the inning by giving up a long solo homer to catcher Jacob Stallings. Joey Terdoslavich followed with a two-run double later in the inning to chase the right-hander and bring on Cory Rasmus, who promptly gave up another two-run double to Jose Osuna and an RBI double to Austin Meadows that turned the game into a romp.
Tampa Bay's two runs both came late in the game, as Jesus Sucre got them on the board in the eighth with a solo homer to left, the first homer of the spring for him and the team, and Dayron Varona made it 7-2 in the ninth, scoring on a wild pitch after doubling earlier in the inning.
Starter David Carpenter threw a 20-pitch first inning, allowing just a single baserunner on an error by shortstop Willy Adames. Dana Eveland, who worked the second, allowed a run on a single by Osuna that scored Terdoslavich.
Tampa Bay got scoreless outings from Jaime Schulz and Justin Marks of more than an inning apiece, and zeroes from both Neil Wagner and Taylor Guerrieri.
The Rays will welcome in the Boston Red Sox to Charlotte Sports Park Sunday, as Chris Archer will get the start for Tampa Bay. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05, with coverage on WDAE starting at 12:30 with Countdown to Opening Day.
Listen to comments from manager Kevin Cash, pitcher David Carpenter, and first baseman Rickie Weeks Jr. below!