• Dustin Fowler embraces challenge of competing for outfield job. • Sunday’s report from Bradenton, Fla.

PIRATES 13 ORIOLES 1

BRADENTON, Fla. — How much different has this spring been for the Pirates?

Their victory over the Orioles on Sunday at LECOM Park helped them improve to 4-3-1. Last spring, the Pirates won just three games, going 3-18-2 before COVID-19 shut everything down.

The offensive onslaught against Baltimore was impressive, as the Pirates totaled 15 hits, scored 10 runs in a threeinning stretch and got at least one hit from every position other than center field.

“The spring training record does not matter,” manager Derek Shelton said. “It is nice that we’ve won more than three games, I’ll say that. But I think our guys are getting better. Paying attention to details is important. Definitely winning some games and being in games where you’re doing things right helps it.”

On the mound

JT Brubaker wanted to fill up the zone and get some quick contact, and he was extremely successful doing that in two scoreless innings. The right-hander didn’t strike out a batter but threw 17 of his 27 pitches for strikes, including first-pitch strikes to five of seven hitters.

“Quick outs means fewer pitches, which means [pitching] longer into the game,” Brubaker said. “It takes a load off the bullpen, too.”

At the plate

The return of Adam Frazier from a mild groin injury ignited the offense, as Kevin Newman, Ke’Bryan Hayes and Dustin Fowler all had strong afternoons.

Hayes lashed a double in the first inning for his fourth extra-base hit of the spring. He’s now hitting .417 (5 for 12) in four games.

Newman picked up a pair of hits and has reached base in nine of his first 11 plate appearances. He’s hitting .750 (6 for 8).

Playing the field for the first time with the Pirates, Fowler had what was the knockout punch, a bases-clearing double during a five-run fourth.

The only downside for the Pirates was that Newman — who scored on a wild pitch in the second — left after the third inning with left hamstring tightness. “With the off day coming [Monday], he wasn’t going to play much more anyway. So we just wanted to be conservative,” Shelton said.

In the field

Brubaker pitched well, but the best part of his start might have been the 1-4-3 double play he started in the second inning, ending the frame. The play was apparently contagious because the Pirates ended the next two innings with double plays started by Hayes.

Up next

Game: Pirates are off Monday.