Pirates score 10 runs in 1st inning, batter Twins

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Andrew McCutchen was more than glad to share Thursday.

McCutchen doubled and scored three times, and the Pittsburgh Pirates used 10-run barrage in the first inning to batter the Minnesota Twins 17-6.

Garrett Jones and Alex Presley each homered, doubled and singled. The Pirates finished with 19 hits, 10 for extra bases.

“We brought the lumber today. That was pretty much it,” McCutchen said. “We swung it. That’s about all that went into it. People start hitting, and next thing you know, it’s just a domino effect.”

Matt Hague homered and had three hits for the Pirates. Jones drove in four runs.

“I think a lot of guys have matured as hitters and learned from last year, made improvements and adjustments to make us better,” Jones said. “We have the talent to hit well and to be a great team. It’s just a matter of putting it all together and doing it during the games.”

The numbers were more than encouraging for a lineup expected to start a handful of players with fewer than three years of major league experience. The Pirates ranked in the bottom three in the NL in runs and slugging percentage last year.

Pittsburgh came into the game fourth in batting average among NL clubs this spring.

Tags: sports, twins, baseball, mlb