Major League Baseball

J.D. Martinez homers as Tigers beat Pirates 3-0

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:47 p.m. ET

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LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) J.D. Martinez broke out of a spring slump with a long home run, and the Detroit Tigers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 on Saturday.

Detroit right-hander Mike Pelfrey allowed four hits in five innings in his third and longest outing of the spring. He signed with the Tigers over the winter after three years with the Twins.

New Tigers closer Francisco Rodriguez made his spring debut and struck out three in one inning. Rodriguez saved 38 games in 60 appearances for the Milwaukee Brewers last season.

Jeff Locke started for the Pirates and his spring ERA ballooned to 6.00 when he allowed two runs in four innings, including the Martinez home run. Catcher Chris Stewart had two hits for Pittsburgh.