The Pittsburgh Pirates lost 6-4 to Minnesota in Grapefruit League play Monday. Gerrit Cole started the game and pitched into the fifth inning. He allowed two runs on eight hits. Outfielder Matt Joyce had two hits, including his third home run of the season. The Bucs are 7-19 overall in pre-season play. The play the New York Yankees tonight and have three games remaining in Florida. The Pirates will play their final exhibition game in Cincinnati Saturday, then open the regular season Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park.
Third baseman Jung Ho Kang played five innings in the field of a minor league game. It was his first on-field game action. He did not bat. Kang will be out until late April as he recovers from a leg injury. 