Yankees defeat Pirates in Grapefruit League opener

TAMPA - Colin Curtis' three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth gave the New York Yankees a 6-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday in front 9.278 fans at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Pirates catcher Erik Kratz doubled in two runs and scored the other during a three-run seventh, when Pittsburgh (0-1) erased a 3-0 deficit.
Paul Maholm and Ross Ohlendorf each pitched an inning for the Pirates, and both cruised, needing a combined 23 pitches to record six outs.
Virgil Vasquez took the loss after allowing Curtis' home run, a no-doubter over the wall in right.
The Pirates head to Orlando on Thursday to face the Atlanta Braves. Charlie Morton, who came to Pittsburgh from Atlanta last summer in exchange for Nate McLouth, is expected to start.
Pittsburgh visits Sarasota on Friday night to play the Baltimore Orioles before Saturday's Grapefruit League home-opener against Philadelphia.