Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (44-40) look for the three-game sweep –their first of the 2014 season– of the Diamondbacks (35-51). Vance Worley (2-0, 1.74 ERA) will oppose Brandon McCarthy (2-10, 5.11 ERA).
Injury Update
Francisco Liriano threw a successful sim game yesterday and will now make a rehab start with AAA Indianapolis on Monday (5 IP / 85 pitches).
Andrew McCutchen is in tonight’s lineup after leaving last night’s game after fouling a ball off of his left foot.
Hurdle’s Quotes
On the success the pitching staff has experienced the past few weeks: “Well, they have good skill-sets. They’ve been consistently throwing strikes, they’ve been locating the ball extremely well, their secondary pitches have shown up. We’ve been able to go to some groundball spots, our double plays have picked up the last week and a half, as well. Working ahead in counts. Working quick and efficient. The confidence plays and they continue to hand the baton to the next guy and they’re feeding off one another, not just the starters, but the bullpen guys, as well.”
On Jordy Mercer’s play as of late: “He’s continued to work and he’s continued to stay focused on just getting a little bit better everyday. Not hanging on the results of every night. Staying with his process offensively. Separating the ball when he’s on defense. He understands the importance of his position out there and what he means to the team. He’s carried that very professionally and it’s all part of growing pains that a second year player can go through in his first full season as a starter. He’s learned a lot about himself and a lot about his teammates because they’ve continued to stay with him, encourage him, challenge him. Whatever it is to make him better and make him tougher.”
Other Notes
— Gregory Polanco, who was recalled and made his Major League debut on June 10, leads all rookies with a .392 on-base percentage since 6/1. The 22-year-old outfielder has reached base safely in 19 of his first 21 big league games and has gone 23-for-74 (.311) with 12 walks, three home runs, 11 RBI and 15 runs in 18 games from the leadoff spot.
— Tonight the Pirates will be making their eighth attempt this season of a series sweep. A win tonight would also give the Bucs their first three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks at PNC Park since 2010 (September 17-19). Pittsburgh’s last series sweep came at the end of last season; a three-gamer in Cincinnati September 27-29. That sweep locked up home field for the NL Wild Card game.
Tonight’s Pirates Lineup
First pitch is set for 7:05.
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(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
