PNC Park– The Pirates (33 – 20) are looking for their fifth straight 4-game series victory over the Tigers (29 – 22) as Jeff Locke (5 – 1, 2.45 ERA) takes on Doug Fister (5 – 2, 3.65 ERA). Last night, The Pirates used a 4-run seventh to propel themselves to a 5 – 3 victory.
Leading Off
With a victory tonight, the Pirates will have 19 for the month of May. The most since September of……Wait for it………1992.
Hurdle’s Quotes
On the possibility of Wilson and Mazzaro helping Melancon in the 8th inning to keep his innings down – “I do. Tony Watson got the first opportunity, last night. He’s had them in the past. With Mazzaro’s stuff: Number one, we need to get him the opportunity to get him in the for the experience value. Number two, to see his stuff plays the same because that’s always the challenge for the individual pitcher.”
“Justin has been given a little bit more along the way from time to time. There’s evidence the other night in Detroit his stuff still played big late, in the eighth and ninth innings and he pitched to the middle of the order in that second inning.”
On how the Pirates hitting has adjusted to starting pitching as the game progresses and how they communicate to the coaching staff about the situations – “Jay (Bell) is the front man for the conversations. I’ll engage periodically, I might have a direct message I want to send. They also come up here (into the clubhouse) and review videotape with Jeff Branson, who’s been a wonderful addition to our staff. At the end of the day, sometimes it’s good to walk away from the dugout and see what the guy’s throwing on the video screen so they can just go “wow, it felt nasty at the plate and it really is so you know what, I need to lighten up on myself a little bit”.
Other Notes
— Jose Tabata (15-day DL, Left Oblique Strain) started picking up physical activity last night. He had some complications from a root canal but will be picking up more activity as the homestand moves on.
— Tomorrow night will be the 1,000th game played at PNC Park against the Cincinnati Reds. Ironically enough, the first game (played on April 9, 2001) was played against the Reds. The Pirates are 487 – 511 all-time at PNC and 100 – 90 under Clint Hurdle at home.
— The Pirate bullpen (The Shark Tank) continues to be the best in baseball as they are 1st in wins (13), ERA (2.67), saves (24), and opponents batting average against (.212). They are second in the majors in strikeouts (175) behind the Indians’ 177.
— Eight of the Pirates last 12 games have been decided by one run. (They are 6 – 2 in those games). They are also 23 – 11 in games decided by two runs or less (13 – 6 at home).
First pitch is set for 7:05.
(Photo Credit: Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
