Pirates 3, Yankees 2

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- This doesn't happen too often, but the Pittsburgh Pirates share a personnel problem with the New York Yankees. The small-payroll Pirates and the big-budget Yankees are having trouble settling on a bullpen.

With their relievers pitching well again, the Pirates beat the Yankees 3-2 Friday as catchers Humberto Cota and Ronny Paulino continued their strong springs. Cota had a two-run double and Paulino added an RBI single and is hitting .514.

Shawn Chacon started because the Pirates didn't want left-hander Zach Duke facing New York for a second consecutive start, and the former Yankees right-hander pitched three scoreless innings against a lineup that included only four regulars.

Four relievers followed Chacon, with Jonah Bayliss pitching two scoreless innings. Bayliss missed part of camp because of a quadriceps problem, but has allowed only one run in four innings since returning to add another name to the Pirates' crowded bullpen picture.

Even after closer Mike Gonzalez was traded to Atlanta, the Pittsburgh bullpen looked relatively set with right-handers Chacon, Matt Capps, Dan Kolb and Salomon Torres and left-handers John Grabow and Damaso Marte filling all but one job. But Bayliss, Josh Sharpless, Kevin Gryboski, Shane Youman and John Wasdin have pitched well enough that they're part of the mix, too.

"That's a good thing," manager Jim Tracy said. "I can't say it was quite as tough (to cut the staff) a year ago. You need pitching to survive for six months. We have more resources here than we anticipated."

For the Yankees, Sean Henn worked 1 1-3 perfect innings as he pushes the struggling Ron Villone to be one of two left-handers in the bullpen. In six innings, Henn hasn't allowed a run or a hit.

"I think I'm a little more relaxed, a little more comfortable with coming out of the pen," said Henn, who has pitched in only seven games in the majors. "Coming into camp, I just wanted them to see that I'm comfortable and do my best to make the decision on them hard."

Cota's two-run double came in the seventh against Colter Bean. Cota is hitting .389 and is tied with Paulino for the team lead with 11 RBI.

The left-handed Duke, Pittsburgh's opening day starter, gave up seven runs and nine hits in 3 2-3 innings Sunday against New York. On Friday, he allowed six hits and two runs, both earned, struck out three and walked none in six innings against Triple-A Norfolk, the Orioles' top farm club.

"It's the typical Duke performance we've seen this spring," Tracy said.

Game notes
Pirates CF Chris Duffy was scratched with a stiff neck. ... The Yankees brought a split squad-like roster, with none of their top pitchers. ... Yankees LHP Andy Pettitte played catch for the first time since experiencing back spasms on Monday. Pettitte has some minor stiffness, but said he is "definitely feeling better every day." Manager Joe Torre said Pettitte needs one more start to be ready for the season. ... Torre plans on breaking camp with 12 pitchers. ... Pirates SS Jack Wilson has nine hits in 15 at-bats. ... Yankees RHP T.J. Beam was optioned to Triple-A Scranton. ... Yankees LHP Mike Myers allowed one unearned run and two hits in two innings of a minor league game.