The Pirates (21 – 17) look to even the 4-game series up with the Brewers (16 – 20) as Jeff Locke (3 – 1, 2.95 ERA) looks to slow down Kyle Lohse (1 – 4, 3.53 ERA) and Co.
Hurdle Notes
On Martin being cleared for tonight – “He went through a battery of exercises, tests, and drills. He’s ready to go. I do believe that he’s in a better position to play tonight than he might have been the last time we put him into play (Thursday in New York)”
On having a player hurt on the bench without being placed on the DL – “From a normal player perspective, I try to give it five days max. That’s the first time I’ve gone with one catcher basically for a week. He would have not been an option to play”
On having Tony Sanchez on the “Taxi Squad” for Saturday – “Martin showed enough significant improvement on that day as a 911 call to push out then we could do it. If not, then Tony Sanchez would have been activated.”
On running the Hit-and-Run more, this season, compared to previous years – “I think it’s a combination of better personnel and the hitters that have been here have understood what the importance is of it. We didn’t do much, initially. We tried more, last year and did more last year than we did the first year and we’re doing more now than the previous two years.”
Russell Martin
On his neck stiffness and the time he had to sit out because of it – “I thought I was ready last Thursday in New York and played, but it didn’t feel great. I want to be out there because I enjoy playing, but I also want to be out there to be healthy for the team.”
On being ready for tonight’s start – “I felt good yesterday and they gave me an extra day yesterday just to make sure I was ready for today and I feel great.”
Other Notes
— There is a Chewbacca costume inhabiting Jason Grili’s locker. Grilli, being a huge Star Wars fan, asked Russell Martin if he could help him hunt down a costume since Martin had some movie connections during his playing days in LA.
— Grilli also mentioned that during time in the minors in Toledo, he and a few buddies snuck into a Star Wars convention when their game got snowed out in Indy during the 2005 season.
— The Pirates 15 homers in the month of May are the most in the National League. They have also homered in 13 of their last 15 games and 20 of their last 24.
— Jeff Locke has allowed three hits or fewer and three runs or fewer in each of his last four starts. (11 total hits and 4 earned runs over 24 innings for a 1.50 ERA)
First pitch is scheduled for 7:05
(Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
