BRADENTON, Fla. — David Price thinks he’s primed for a strong start to the season.

The Tampa Bay Rays ace had his final prep work for opening day, pitching four innings Sunday in a 5-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Price, who will get the ball Friday night in Baltimore, gave up one run and five hits. The 2010 AL Cy Young Award runner-up walked one and struck out three.

“This is probably the best I’ve felt coming out of spring training,” Price said. “It’s the best my stuff has been heading into the year. Last year I felt pretty good, but this year I feel even better.”

Paul Maholm, the No. 2 pitcher in the Pirates’ rotation, worked five innings and yielded three runs on five hits. The left-hander walked one and struck out five.

“I didn’t feel real comfortable in the first two innings,” Maholm said. “After I made an adjustment, I was able to feel good and challenge guys.”

Maholm gave up solo home runs to Kelly Shoppach and Ben Zobrist. Elliot Johnson doubled and scored on Reid Brignac’s single.

“We had a good camp,” new Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “We didn’t win as many games as we wanted to, but we had to cover a lot coming in. The attitude and effort was outstanding. I have a much better understanding and view of the organization, the depth we have, than I did coming in.”

Hurdle was hired in November to turn around a franchise that has not had a winning season since 1992.

“The work we put in this spring is going to pay us dividends,” Hurdle said. “There’s energy. We’re upbeat. There’s a season in front of us and we’re looking forward to embracing it.”

Notes: Pirates GM Neal Huntington said C Chris Snyder (sore lower back) is “very probable” to begin the season on the disabled list. Snyder has played in one of the past 16 spring games. ... Pirates RHP James McDonald (sore side) will throw a simulated game Thursday in Florida, then fly to Chicago to join the team for opening day.