Newcomers make positive impact but Pirates lose twice

BRADENTON, Fla. — A split-squad game against the Detroit Tigers gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a chance to take a good look at three of their offseason acquisitions.

The initial impressions were positive.

Left-hander Derek Holland allowed two runs on three extra-base hits but struck out five. Catcher Luke Maile went 2 for 3 and drew compliments for his pitch calling. And infielder JT Riddle went 2 for 2, scoring one run and driving in another.

The Tigers hit three homers on their way to a 8-4 victory over the Pirates on Sunday afternoon at LECOM Park. In Clearwater, Fla., Trevor Williams allowed four runs in the first inning of a 4-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Holland is competing for a spot in the starting rotation and was pleased with his effort despite giving up a leadoff homer over the right-field fence to JaCoby Jones and a pair of doubles in the second inning.

“Today was one of those days where you’re going to work on everything,” Holland said. “A lot of people get caught up in the numbers and that stuff, but when you have two innings to work with, you want to try to throw everything.

“Obviously, I’m competing for a job, but I want to make sure I have everything where it needs to be because if I make this team, I want to be prepared going into the season.”

Riddle drew a leadoff walk on 11 pitches in the bottom of the first, then showed his speed and smarts by taking an extra base on Colin Moran’s fielder’s choice to shortstop when the Tigers were in a shift by beating the throw.

“There was no one at third,” Riddle said. “It was a footrace to get there.”

Riddle scored on Will Craig’s sacrifice fly to center to tie the score. In the second, Jorge Bonifacio hit a leadoff double to left field before Holland struck out the next two batters. Grayson Greiner, however, stroked a double to left for a 2-1 lead.

The Pirates added two more runs in the bottom of the second, starting with back-to-back doubles by Socrates Brito and Oneil Cruz to tie it and taking a 3-2 lead on Riddle’s RBI single.

Holland and fellow lefty Steven Brault — who retired the side in the third on eight pitches, six of them strikes — were complimentary of Maile’s catching in his Pirates debut. He was signed to a one-year, $900,000 contract in free agency.

“He was perfect behind the plate,” Holland said. “Great game-calling.”

The Tigers added three more homers: In the fifth, Derek Hill hit one off Richard Rodriguez; in the seventh, Daniel Pinero had a three-run shot off Robbie Erlin; and in the ninth, Riley Greene hit one off Nicholas Economos.

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