Spring training statistics are relatively meaningless, so the Pittsburgh Pirates aren’t about to celebrate that they lead all major-league teams with 27 home runs through 12 Grapefruit League games.

If that sounds improbable, consider Diego Castillo leads the Pirates in homers after hitting two in a 9-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Fla.

Pirates outfielder Bligh Madris homered off Twins starter Josh Winder in the second inning. Castillo, who started at shortstop, hit a solo homer off Taylor Rogers in the fourth inning for a 2-0 lead and a two-run shot off Caleb Thielbar in the sixth.

— Young Bucs (@YoungBucsPIT) March 30, 2022

Bryse Wilson took the loss after allowing three runs on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts in the first 3 1/3 innings, giving up a two-run double to Gary Sanchez and a run-scoring single to Byron Buxton in the fourth.

The Twins pulled away in the six-run fifth inning, thanks to home runs by Miguel Sano and Buxton, who hit a grand slam off lefty Dillon Peters, who gave up six runs on five hits and one walk.

Zach Thompson is scheduled to start against Keegan Akin when the Pirates (5-5-2) host the Baltimore Orioles at 1:05 p.m. Thursday at LECOM Park in Bradenton.

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