Good afternoon from PNC Park where today the Pirates (20-26) look to add to their winning ways against the Nationals (24-23). Charlie Morton (0-6, 3.45 ERA) will take the hill against Jordan Zimmerman (3-1, 3.70 ERA).
Roster Move
Jason Grilli has been recalled from the 15-day DL. Tony Sanchez has been optioned to AAA Indianapolis to make room on the active roster for Grilli. Manager Clint Hurdle said the closers job won’t immediately be Grilli’s.
“We’re going to give Jason the ball a couple times, initially, and evaluate after each time he gets it and our plan is to get him back to be the closer,” said Hurdle.
Hurdle’s Quotes
On Pedro Alvarez batting lower in the lineup: “It’s to really try and provide a more consistent direction through the lineup. It’s been seven weeks. Pedro and I chatted in New York, we chatted again today. For the opportunities that have been there and the production, they haven’t matched up and I just feel that it’s time. Ike’s volume of work over the last three weeks, it’s not a new situation for him, either, hitting cleanup. I’m not even looking for power, I’m looking for the quality of the at bat and to move the chains and get the bat on down the line. Pedro has shown some historical success in hitting sixth in the lineup as well, so we’ll see how it plays out.”
— Prior to tonight’s game, the Pirates will recognize the first responders from the Franklin Regional tragedy.
“So many times, its all about community and that’s how we find a way to get through challenges personally, professionally, socially and in this case, for our organization to reach out. That’s what we do, that’s who we are, that’s what we should do,” said Hurdle. “We should be there when anybody has a challenge and we have been. To give, that servant’s heart that permeates the City of Pittsburgh all over the place. My family feels it. We’re going through some different things where Maddie has been spending a little bit of time at the Children’s Institute and I got people there that want to take care of Maddie because it’s Maddie, not because it’s Clint Hurdle’s child and we want to take care of these kids because they’re kids and help them along the way and the families they come from and support them and the high school as well.”
Other Notes
— Clint Hurdle has been asked to speak at the Franklin Regional commencement, which is during an off day. Hurdle doesn’t know to what extent he will be involved yet.
— Hurdle is one victory away from 800 in his career. Only five other current big league managers have won at least 800 games; Bruce Bochy (1559), Mike Scioscia (1259), Buck Showalter (1186), Terry Francona (1144) and Ron Gardenhire (1021). Hurdle has won 265 games as skipper of the Pirates.
— Ike Davis has more home runs (11) and RBI (29) vs. Washington than any other team in his career. Since the beginning of the 2010 season, Davis’ 11 homers vs. Washington are tied for the second-most by any individual along with Hanley Ramirez. Giancarlo Stanton leads the way in that time with 20 homers vs. the Nats.
Tonight’s Pirates Lineup
First pitch is set for 7:05.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
