Greg Allen homers off his ex-team as Pirates beat Yankees in Grapefruit League opener

BRADENTON, Fla. — Greg Allen sidestepped the chance to call it a revenge game but couldn’t suppress a smile about hitting a home run for the Pittsburgh Pirates against his former team.

The outfielder hit a two-run blast off Braden Brito in the fifth inning to give the Pirates a lead in a 4-3 win over the New York Yankees on Friday afternoon in the Grapefruit League opener at LECOM Park.

“I’m not sure I’ll call it that,” Allen said of revenge-game talk. “It’s just good to get out there and get some at-bats.”

It was a strong debut for the two hitters atop of the Pirates lineup. Leadoff batter Cole Tucker went 2 for 3 with a home run and a triple and made a nice play on a pop fly by Jose Peraza in shallow left field in the third inning. Allen followed by going 1 for 2, reaching after being hit by a pitch in his first plate appearance — then stealing second base — and homering in his third.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton on SS Cole Tucker and LF Greg Allen making positive first impressions atop the order in the 4-3 win over the Yankees in the Grapefruit League opener. pic.twitter.com/XCCWpgKJVD

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) March 18, 2022

“Good first impressions for both of them,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “Tuck made a nice play on the pop-up and a couple good at-bats. And with Greg, the stolen base and then hitting a homer and doing a nice job defensively. A lot of positive signs. That’s good to see. Anytime when you start and you make a really good impression, that’s really important.”

Pirates starter Wil Crowe allowed two runs in a 32-pitch first inning, as Yankees shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa led off with a double and scored on a single by designated hitter Austin Wells. Jose Peraza drove in Gleyber Torres on a one-out grounder to second. Crowe gave up two hits, two walks and threw a wild pitch in two innings.

Allen, who was claimed off waivers from the Yankees in November after he slashed .270/.417/.432 with four doubles and a triple in 15 games last season, made a positive impact that got him off to a fast start in the competition for a starting spot in the Pirates’ outfield.

Batting second, Allen was hit by a Hayden Wesneski pitch in his first plate appearance. Actually, he claimed to be hit twice, but showing home plate umpire Shane Livensparger where the ball grazed his left elbow was to no avail. Wesneski hit Allen again, and he promptly stole second base, then reached third on a single by another former Yankee, Diego Castillo, who was acquired last July in the Clay Holmes trade.

Tucker hit a Wesneski changeup over the right-center field fence to lead off the third, then was credited with the triple on a fly ball to the warning track that was misjudged by center fielder Ender Inciarte. Tucker said he didn’t think the ball was going out “but I’m glad it was close.”

“I wish it had been, but it’s just nice to have a good day the first day out and barrel some balls,” Tucker said. “Have good, competitive quality of at bats and tried to set the tone for the rest of the guys and the rest of the camp. I’m just trying to get it rolling.”

It did just that, as Allen followed with the homer to right-center for a 3-2 lead. Allen said he was looking for a pitch to elevate in the center of the field to score Liover Peguero, who was pinch-running for Tucker.

Greg Allen talks about his 2-run home run in his Pirates spring training debut against his former team, the Yankees. pic.twitter.com/clJttRUeT4

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) March 18, 2022

“Fortunately,” Allen said, “got enough barrel, had some nice wind that was helping us out today and the ball found its way out.”

Nick Gonzales, the Pirates’ first-round pick in 2020, added an RBI single in the seventh inning. Jerad Eickhoff, a non-roster invitee, earned the win after throwing 24 of his 29 pitches for strikes over three innings in relief.

Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller is expected to start against Detroit’s Casey Mize on Saturday, when they host the Tigers at 1:05 p.m. at LECOM Park. David Bednar, Duane Underwood Jr., Hunter Stratton, Carmen Mlodzinski and Mike Burrows also are scheduled to pitch for the Pirates.