BRADENTON, Fla. — Kyle McPherson is vying for a spot in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ rotation. His performance Friday night probably didn’t help.

McPherson gave up three runs in the third inning and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Pirates 6-3 at McKechnie Field.

With the score tied at 1, McPherson hit leadoff batter Alexi Casilla in the third and walked Ryan Flaherty. Jason Pridie hit a one-out RBI single, Travis Ishikawa doubled in a run and Trayvon Robinson drove in another with a single.

It was the third start of spring training for McPherson, the club’s 2011 minor league pitcher of the year. He had hoped to go four innings but was lifted early when his pitch count jumped into the 50s. The 25-year-old right-hander faced 17 batters, including eight in the third.

“The pitch count was good going into the third inning, but with the three-spot in that inning it was a lot of hitters,” McPherson said. “It’s easy for that pitch count to jump up on you. After the third inning they decided to say that’s good enough and just get ready for the next one.”

Wei-Yin Chen allowed two runs, one earned, and one hit over 2 1-3 innings in his second start for Baltimore. He walked two and struck out four.

Baltimore’s projected No. 2 starter said his slider still needs work, but he felt good about his two-seamer and four-seamer.

“I feel my delivery is much better than last outing,” Chen said through a translator. “I feel my fastball got life.”

Chen thinks he’s right on schedule in his preparation for the season, and Orioles manager Buck Showalter agreed.

“He’s in a good spot,” Showalter said. “His arm feels good. He feels good physically, and I like where he is.”

The Orioles had 11 hits by 11 different batters. Lew Ford hit his first home run of the spring in the seventh inning off Pittsburgh right-hander Vic Black.

Pittsburgh totaled six hits, two by Starling Marte.

Marte, who will likely open the season batting leadoff, was 2 for 2 with a walk. He stole two bases and scored twice. He was also caught stealing once.

The 24-year-old outfielder made his major league debut on July 26 last season and hit .257 in 47 games.

“He’s got the tools to be a very dynamic leadoff hitter,” Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. “He’s showing some maturity and a little slower heartbeat when he gets on base now. He’s going to be a fun player to watch grow.”

Notes: Pirates RHP Jeff Karstens (biceps) pitched two innings of batting practice in his progression back to the mound. ... 1B Garrett Jones (oblique) had limited physical activity a day after being scratched from the lineup. But he hopes to swing a bat Saturday.