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Orr’s Homer Bumps Phillies Past Pirates

PHILADELPHIA – If one of the Philadelphia Phillies’ starters goes down, Aaron Cook and Rodrigo Lopez are ready to fill in.

Cook and Lopez combined for five scoreless innings, Pete Orr hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning and the Phillies beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 on Thursday.

Cook, who has made one relief appearance since 2003, could make the roster as a long man in the bullpen. He’ll likely start the season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley as insurance. Lopez is another veteran starter the Phillies could turn to if they have a need for a sixth or seventh guy.

Known for his sinker, Cook got five outs on grounders.

Lopez worked around three hits in two innings, lower his spring ERA to 2.45.

Orr, a veteran utilityman, connected off former Phillies left-hander Mike Zagurski, hitting a long drive to right.

Pirates starter Kyle McPherson threw five scoreless innings, allowing four hits. McPherson, who is competing for the fifth spot in Pittsburgh’s rotation, helped his chances after two rough outings.

“I’m going to continue to work and focus on ball down,” McPherson said. “I had tremendous success with that today.”

Phillies center fielder Ender Inciarte, a Rule 5 pickup from Arizona, made a perfect one-hop throw to the plate to retire Brad Hawpe trying to score on Clint Barmes’ single in the second.

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