IN BRIEF : Bucs Beat Boston on Bonds Homer

Barry Bonds’ two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a 7-6 exhibition victory over the Boston Red Sox today.

Bonds’ homer to right-center off reliever Zach Crouch came after pinch-hitter John Cangelosi led off the inning with a walk. Crouch, 0-1, came on at the start of the ninth and was the losing pitcher. Despite giving up five runs in the top of the ninth, Pittsburgh reliever Jim Gott, 2-0, was the winner. The five-run outburst by Boston wiped out a 5-1 Pittsburgh lead.

The Pirates raised their exhibition record to 7-5 while Boston fell to 3-7.