Marte brings sweet swing back from Classic

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Starling Marte wasted no time announcing his return to the Pirates' lineup after participating in the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic.
In his first game back, Marte crushed a grand slam and knocked in five runs in the Pirates' 10-7 loss to the Red Sox on Thursday. It was Marte's first home run of the Grapefruit League.
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"It felt great, just practicing and getting connected with the things that are going to help me during the season," Marte said through team translator Mike Gonzalez. "It feels good."

Marte played in just three Classic games, sidelined by a sprained right ankle. He doesn't expect the ankle to change his approach.
"I don't think it's going to be an issue," he said. "Yeah, it is a little bit here and there. However, I do believe that I'm going to be great, being able to play throughout the season, especially with the therapy that I'm going through."
Marte went 3-for-12 with a home run in the Classic. Both his home runs this spring have been to the opposite field.
"I feel great," he said. "It definitely builds confidence. However, this is just part of my game and people know how I play. My whole thing is just evaluating pitchers, making sure to get my swings the way I am. And even though I'm not recognized as a power hitter, people do know that when I hit the ball, I hit it hard."
Left fielder Gregory Polanco also played in his first game since returning from the Classic, going 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored.