BRADENTON, Fla. — Bobby Crosby's work with Mark McGwire in the past three offseasons appears to be paying off.

Crosby hit a three-run homer and drove in four runs and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat a Minnesota Twins split squad 15-5 Sunday.

"He's a good guy to have around," Crosby said of the St. Louis Cardinals' new hitting coach. "He worked with me on being direct to the ball, taking a straight path. There's a lot more that goes into it, but he's a guy who really knows a swing."

Crosby hit 22 home runs in 2004, when he was the Rookie of the Year with the Oakland A's. However, he has not reached double digits in any season since then.

Pedro Alvarez had his first hit of the spring, an RBI triple off the right field wall in the second inning. He scored when Crosby singled off Twins lefty Brian Duensing. Garrett Jones hit a two-out, two-run homer for hit first hit.

Justin Morneau hit a two-run homer off Pirates starter Ross Ohlendorf in the first. Ohlendorf worked two innings and allowed two runs on two hits.