PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Even for an established star like Evan Longoria, the first home run of the year is always a relief.

Longoria and Ben Zobrist each hit a two-run shot in a four-run fifth inning that carried the Tampa Bay Rays past the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2 on Monday night.

Zobrist’s go-ahead shot appeared to be helped over the fence by right fielder Jose Tabata’s outstretched glove. Longoria’s drive was a no-doubter.

Russell Martin had two hits for the Pirates, including an RBI double. Gaby Sanchez walked three times and scored a run.

Rays starter Matt Moore labored through 4 2-3 wild innings, allowing only two earned runs but yielding six hits and five walks.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said 106 pitches in less than five innings is way too many, obviously.

Pirates starter Kyle McPherson had a different problem. He walked only one in five innings, but gave up the home runs to Zobrist, Longoria and Duncan.

McPherson, a rookie, can’t afford to make the same mistakes as Moore.

“The first four frames were quality,” Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. “And then the ball got elevated and he wasn’t able to keep the ball off the middle of the plate and up. It was some big league hitters, and he worked in some hot zones, and they put the barrel on it.”