Garrett Jones put Pittsburgh in front with a two-run homer in the fifth Friday, and the Pirates pulled away for a 10-3 win over Arizona. The Pirates had two big innings and 16 hits as they moved within a game of Cincinnati in their bid to climb out of the National League Central cellar. Arizona had a 2-0 lead going into the fourth but Andy LaRoche drove in Brandon Moss with a two-out double, and then scored the tying run on a single by Ramon Vazquez. Jones delivered his homer one inning later to give the Pirates the lead for good.

Hank Blalock, Michael Young and Nelson Cruz delivered all the Texas runs with homers Friday, and the Rangers held off Seattle 6-4. Blalock hit a solo homer in the second to bring the Rangers within one, Young hit a three-run blast in the third to put Texas in front for good and Cruz added a two-run shot in the eighth that turned out to be the game-winning blow. Scott Feldman (8-2) won his third straight decision by surrendering two runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings. After Seattle scored twice in the eighth to cut its deficit to two runs, Frank Francisco worked around a two-out walk to earn his 15th save. Brandon Morrow (0-4) remained winless, giving up the homers to Blalock and Young in a five-inning stint. Seattle right fielder Ichiro Suzuki almost made a sensational catch of Young's home run.

Texas Rangers rounded the bases at a dizzying pace, touching the plate so often it became almost embarrassing to make an out.

By Scott Priestle, The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio Apr. 1--WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Cincinnati Reds catcher Javier Valentin approached countryman Ramon Vazquez before batting practice yesterday, wiped his brow and let out a sigh. Both men laughed.

SALVO, North Carolina (Reuters) - Seattle Mariners all-star outfielder Ichiro Suzuki will play for Japan in March's World Baseball Classic, his agent said. "Ichiro was delighted to accept," agent Tony Attanasio told The Seattle Times.