The Pittsburgh Pirates turned in a strong day of spring performances on February 22, sweeping a pair of split-squad matchups with a 7–4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays and a 4–3 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies. Across both games, Pittsburgh’s depth was on display as a mix of regulars and prospects contributed offensively while the pitching staff protected late leads.
In the win over Tampa Bay, the Pirates’ offense showed balance and consistency, pushing across seven runs with steady pressure throughout the afternoon. Pittsburgh hitters strung together quality at-bats and capitalized on run-scoring opportunities, demonstrating good situational awareness early in camp. The lineup produced multiple key hits to build and maintain separation, while the bullpen handled the later innings effectively to secure the victory. After the Rays threatened at times, Pirates relievers limited further damage and closed the door to preserve the three-run win.
In the second game against Philadelphia, the Pirates once again leaned on timely hitting. A pivotal rally in the middle innings helped swing momentum, highlighted by a bases-loaded opportunity that allowed Pittsburgh to take control. Carson DeMartini provided a spark with a solo home run, flashing early spring power, while Kehden Hettiger added an extra-base hit to keep innings alive. The Pirates’ pitching staff complemented the offense by keeping the Phillies’ lineup in check, with relievers delivering key outs late to protect the narrow one-run lead. Top prospect and AFL Star Esmerlyn Valdez scored all four runs on a grand slam in the 6th. Termarr Johnson hit a triple in the same inning to get on base. Valdez also had solid contact in the game yesterday. So far, so good for Es Valdez.
Overall, the Pirates combined for 11 runs across the two contests, showcasing offensive depth and opportunistic execution. Just as importantly, the pitching staff—particularly the bullpen arms—demonstrated composure and effectiveness in closing out tight situations. It was a productive day for Pittsburgh, offering encouraging early signs as roster competitions and player evaluations continue through spring training.