Pirates 6, Rays 5
1B Garrett Atkins had the big hit for the Pirates in the second game, which was played at the Rays’ home in Port Charlotte. Bryan Morris started this game and pitched 2 innings. He zipped through the bottom of the 1st, but gave up two singles to begin the 2nd. A double play almost had him out of the jam, but with a runner on third base, a wild pitch brought in the first run of the game. Fernando Nieve took over for the 3rd inning, but he also got into trouble. Nieve gave up a double, then with two outs, three consecutive singles and another double gave the Rays 3 more runs. The Pirates came right back in the top of the 4th. 2B Neil Walker singled and RF Matt Diaz doubled to put two runners into scoring position. 3B Josh Fields plated Walker with a ball tapped back to the mound. That left two runners on base for Atkins, who tied the score with a 3-run homer. LF Alex Presley followed the homer with a walk, then stole second base. A wild pitch put him onto third base, then a passed ball let Presley scramble home with the go-ahead run.
The Rays tied the score again in the 6th inning. With Rudy Owens on the mound, a walk and an RBI double into center field brought in the tying run. Owens was charged with the Blown Save, but he was still the pitcher of record in the top of the 7th when DH Chris Snyder scored an unearned run. He reached base on a fielding error, advanced to third base on a single and a missed catch error, and scored on a wild pitch. Kyle McPherson pitched 2 scoreless innings, allowing one hit. Sean Gallagher earned a save with two scoreless innings to finish the game.
CF Gorkys Hernandez and C Dusty Brown each singled in the game. Also getting into the game: CF Brad Chalk, SS Pedro Ciriaco, 2B Corey Wimberly, RF Andrew Lambo, 3B Jeremy Farrell, 1B Calvin Anderson, LF Wes Freeman, and C Eric Fryer.
