TAMPA, Fla. – Alex Rodriguez kept rolling, Michael Pineda made a quick change and the New York Yankees beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-3 on Tuesday night.
Rodriguez had two hits — raising his batting average to .333 — and three RBIs, while Pineda impressed manager Joe Girardi with his response after a tough start.
Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run homer in the first inning on a slider from Pineda, who allowed two runs and three hits in three innings.
After making a mechanical adjustment with pitching coach Larry Rothschild, Pineda struck out all three batters he faced in the second.
"The first inning I opened my left shoulder a little bit," Pineda said. "I'm happy with the adjustment."
Pineda ended up with five strikeouts and one walk in a 72-pitch outing.
"It's a good thing to see a young pitcher make an adjustment," Girardi said. "You don't see that from young pitchers. You have to know how to correct things when you're struggling."
Rodriguez had an RBI single during a two-run third and drove in a pair with another single in a five-run fourth that put the Yankees up 7-2. A-Rod has driven in nine runs over 10 games.
Pittsburgh left-hander Erik Bedard gave up four runs and five hits in 3 2-3 innings. Jo-Jo Reyes relieved and allowed three runs, three hits and two walks without recording an out.
"Threw all my pitches, trying to get the pitch count up," said Bedard, who made 68 pitches. "I just tried to mix it up, and you've got to work on everything. (I feel like) I'm in the middle of spring training. When you're not at 100 (pitches) yet, it's hard to say."
Bedard split last season between Seattle and Boston, going 5-9 with a 3.62 ERA in 24 starts after missing 2010 with a shoulder injury.
Yankees closer Mariano Rivera struck out one during a perfect fourth and extended his streak of not allowing an earned run in spring training to 25 consecutive innings dating to 2008.
New York shortstop Derek Jeter remained sidelined by a stiff left calf. Jeter, who hasn't played since last Wednesday, could return on Friday.
Yankees catcher Russell Martin and right fielder Nick Swisher — slowed by groin injuries — both played. However, Swisher hurt his right groin, the opposite side of the previous injury, running out a grounder in the third.
Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, hit on the hand by a pitch Sunday, also was in the starting lineup.
Pineda is one of four candidates, not including the recently signed Andy Pettitte, for three spots in the April rotation behind opening-day starter CC Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda.
"If you don't want somebody to take your job, don't let them," Girardi said.
Pettitte, who ended his brief retirement by agreeing to a minor league contract Friday, arrived in camp and threw about 50 pitches off a bullpen mound. The left-hander, who could pitch in a game before spring training ends, will not be ready to start the season on the major league roster.
NOTES: Rivera threw just nine pitches, eight strikes. ... Rodriguez walked and struck out in his other plate appearances. ... Pittsburgh RHP Kevin Correia is scheduled to face Boston LHP Jon Lester on Wednesday. ... McCutchen, Jose Tabata and Neil Walker all had two hits for the Pirates.
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