BRADENTON, Fla. — Gerrit Cole was happy to talk about his hitting.

After giving up a long home run to Miguel Sano in the second inning, Cole led off the third with a double to the left-field wall in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 1-1 tie against the Minnesota Twins on Monday.

Cole advanced on Alex Meyer’s wild pitch and was stranded when Sterling Marte struck out with the bases loaded.

“I hit it pretty good and got into second base cleanly,” Cole said. “I don’t think they were too worried about me going for a triple.”

Cole gave up three hits in three innings.

“I made some good pitches that I didn’t necessarily get rewarded for,” Cole said.

Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker hit consecutive doubles in the first for the Pirates.