Gene J. Puskar, Associated Press Pirates pitcher Tom Gorzelanny throws against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays this afternoon. Click photo for larger image. Related story Pirates tab Armas, Gorzelanny for rotation, cut McCutchen

BRADENTON, Fla. -- It was not how Tom Gorzelanny had hoped to pitch on the day he learned - formally - that he will be in the Pirates' starting rotation.

He was tagged for seven runs - five earned - on seven hits and three walks in a 12-4 loss to Tampa Bay this afternoon at McKechnie Field. He again gave up two runs in the first inning, as he had in his other two starts, and it moved his spring ERA to 9.45.

Several miscues and mishaps in the field contributed greatly to the Devil Rays' output, including catcher Humberto Cota's two-run throwing error in the first inning. But those would not undo the erratic control or the 0-2 hanging slider that Jonny Gomes belted for a two-run home run in the fifth.

"Crazy things will happen," Gorzelanny said. "I still think I could have done better on my part."

"I don't think it was as bad as it appeared. You give a team five outs, they're going to score," manager Jim Tracy said. "But you can't give up the bases on balls like that."

Closer Salomon Torres had a horrific ninth inning. He failed to retire any of his first five batters, giving up a hat batsman, a double and three consecutive walks for two Tampa Bay runs. He struck out Shawn Riggans for his first out, then was lifted with the bases loaded.

Franquelis Osoria relieved and gave up two more runs, both charged to Torres.

Torres' spring ERA is 14.21, but the lack of command was new. He had only one walk in his first six appearances.

"If he's going to struggle, let it be today and not a week from now," Tracy said.

The Pirates' offense came on two-run doubles by Jose Castillo and Ryan Doumit, Castillo's in the sixth and Doumit's in the eighth.

Brad Eldred, starting in right field a second consecutive day, went 0 for 4 with strikeouts in his final three at-bats.

The Pirates, 10-15-1 this spring, face the Toronto Blue Jays today at McKechnie. Paul Maholm will start against Josh Towers.

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More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.