Juan Cruz News

When the two signed as minor league free agents in the winter, accepting an invite to spring training, it didn't make for headlines.

Brandon Allen may not get another hit for the Rays as big as his first, a two-run pinch-hit walkoff homer that won Thursday's game.

Last month, the season preview piece for Jeff Niemann showed how the Rays moved Niemann from the extreme first base side of the rubber and more toward third base near the midway point of last season.

Trying to win the final spot on the Pirates' bench, Hague had two hits, including a two-run homer, in a 3-3 tie against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.

Rob Biertempfel is the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Pirates beat writer. He can be reached at 412-320-7811, via e-mail or on Twitter .