Major League Baseball

Odorizzi pitches well into 7th, Rays beat Pittsburgh 3-1

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:49 p.m. ET

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BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) Jake Odorizzi pitched effectively into the seventh inning and Steven Souza Jr. hit a two-run double to help the Tampa Bay Rays beat a Pittsburgh Pirates split squad 3-1 Saturday night.

Pirates left fielder Starling Marte exited in the fourth inning due to tightness in his right quadriceps. Marte stumbled out of the batter's box in the second.

David Freese homered to left-center, his second home run in seven games since signing with the Pirates.

Francisco Liriano lasted only 4 2-3 innings even though he was scheduled to work six. The left-hander, scheduled to start on opening day for Pittsburgh, gave up three runs and seven hits while striking out four.

Christian Toribio hit a solo homer for the Rays.

Odorizzi allowed a run and five hits in 6 1-3 strong innings. He walked two and struck out six. The right-hander has locked up the No. 3 spot in Tampa Bay's rotation.