PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) — Pirates starter James McDonald avoided damage and allowed just one run in three innings Thursday in a 5-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in 10 innings.

McDonald allowed just two hits and struck out one in his outing.

Outfielder Starling Marte continued his impressive spring, belting a solo home run in the eighth inning to force extra innings.

“We’re very happy with what he’s done,” manager Clint Hurdle said of Marte, according to the Pirates official website. “It’s exciting to watch him play. I’m very happy to see him come in with the comfort zone he has at the plate and on the bases. I see what everybody has been talking about in our player development system and the raves out of winter ball by people in other organizations who’ve watched him play.”

Casey McGehee, Rod Barajas and Gorkys Hernandez each drove in a run in the sixth inning to pull within one run of the Phillies, 4-1.

Philadelphia got a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Ty Wigginton doubled in Hunter Pence. Pirates pitcher Justin Wilson walked the bases loaded and then walked in a run in the fourth inning to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead.

That lead grew to 4-0 in the fifth inning when Shane Victorino hit a two-run homer.

Lou Montanez hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the 10th for the walk-off win.

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