Nick Gonzales' HR helps back Josh Fleming's strong start as Pirates top Rays

The Pirates got a solid start from left-handed pitcher Josh Fleming, but it was their bats that rallied them to victory.

Nick Gonzales, Matt Gorski and Shawn Ross hit home runs to boost the Pirates to an 8-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday afternoon in a Grapefruit League game at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla.

Fleming held the Rays to one run on two hits and one walk while striking out three in three innings in his first start of spring training. Pirates starters have posted a 2.18 ERA in the last five games.

The Pirates got two-hit games from Bryan Reynolds, Ke’Bryan Hayes and Connor Joe, who gave them a 1-0 lead with an RBI single in the first inning.

The Rays took a 2-1 lead before Hayes singled to score Oneil Cruz in the fifth. Cruz, who went 1 for 3, extended his hit streak to five games and on-base streak to nine. Hayes is hitting .423 (11 for 26) this month.

The Rays took a 3-2 lead on a homer by Brandon Lowe off Chase Anderson, who gave up three runs on five hits and one walk but had six strikeouts.

Gonzales gave the Pirates a 4-3 lead with a 402-foot shot ti center for his first homer of the spring and a 4-3 lead in the sixth.

The Rays tied the score before Gorski hit a 408-foot shot to left-center for the go-ahead run in the seventh. Ross added a two-run homer in the eighth.

Notes: Lefty Martin Pérez is expected to start against Tyler Phillips when the Pirates visit the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday in Clearwater. … The Pirates reassigned right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes, catcher Carter Bins, infielder Sergio Alcantara and outfielders Matt Gorski and Joe Perez to minor-league camp. Right-handed pitcher Kyle Nicolas was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. There are now 45 active players remaining in big league camp.