Bradenton, Fla. ? Donnie Sadler’s run-scoring triple in the top of the ninth snapped a tie and gave the Kansas City Royals their first victory of the spring, 6-4, over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

With the score tied at 4, Dave McCarty hit a one-out double to right-center off Gregg Olson. Sadler then ripped a triple to the gap in right-center past Tike Redman to score McCarty with the go-ahead run. Angel Berroa’s RBI single made it 6-4.

Pittsburgh had tied the game in the eighth inning by scoring twice off Tony Cogan. Adam Hyzdu hit a sacrifice fly and Humberto Cota followed with an RBI single.

Despite allowing the first two batters to reach base in the bottom of the ninth, Mac Suzuki escaped the jam for his first save.

Sadler and Luis Alicea, competing for utility infielder jobs, had two hits each for the Royals while Berroa drove in two runs.

Kevin Young had two hits, including a two-run double for the Pirates, and Aramis Ramirez also had two hits. Young is off to a 5-for-7 (.714) start in the exhibition season after hitting just .232 last year, while Ramirez is 5-for-12 (.438).

Kansas City starter Chris George allowed two runs on three hits in two innings with one walk and no strikeouts.

Sean Lowe started for Pittsburgh and gave up two unearned runs in three innings, walking one and striking out two.