Pirates Report: March 4

PHILLIES 7, PIRATES 4:

Starting pitcher Kevin Correia gave up hits to the first first four batters he faced before retiring nine of his final 10, but the Pittsburgh Pirates suffered a 7-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies before 5,596 fans at McKechnie Field.

Andy Marte played the first six innings at third base and went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs for the Pirates (4-4). Matt Diaz stole a base, the Pirates' 11th of the spring, which leads the Grapefruit League.

Ryan Howard hit a sixth-inning solo homer for Philadelphia (4-3), his first of the spring.

UP NEXT (MARCH 5):

The Pirates and the Phillies meet again at 1:05 p.m. Saturday in Clearwater. Paul Maholm is expected to start for Pittsburgh against Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay. Jeff Karstens, Mike Crotta, Sean Gallagher, Chris Leroux and Rudy Owens are also scheduled to pitch for the Pirates.

The Pirates will return home Sunday for a 1:05 p.m. game against the Toronto Blue Jays, where a portion of the proceeds . Also, before the game fans are invited to attend on Ninth Street West outside the stadium. Pirates players, coaches and legends will be signing autographs and there will be games and activities for kids.