The Pittsburgh Pirates have a chance to win its 14th series of the season with a win this afternoon against the Cleveland Indians.
The Indians took game one of the series by a 5-2 series and the Pirates evened things up with a 1-0 victory yesterday.
Gerrit Cole [11-3 2.20 ERA] will face Danny Salazar [7-3 3.80 ERA].
Cole is making his 17th start of the season and had a no-decision in his last start pitching 6.2 innings and allowing two earned runs. The Pirates won the game against the Detroit Tigers in 14 innings. He is 6-1 with a 2.01 ERA in his last eight starts. Cole has a 5-2 record with a 2.72 ERA in seven starts at PNC Park.
Salazar is making his 15th start of the season and with his victory against the Tampa Bay Rays in his last start, he earned his career-high seventh win of the season. Salazar is making his second start against an NL Central opponent and earned a no-decision in a rain delayed game against the Chicago Cubs after allowing three runs [two earned] in 4.2 innings. Salazar is 0-2 with a 4.18 ERA in five Interleague starts.
Seventh inning stretch:
The Pirates are in the midst of a 13 consecutive days of games which ties for the longest mark of the season.
“We’re just focusing on today and not letting the past dictate what the future might hold,” Chris Stewart said. “That kind of keeps us fresh and we’re not worried about being tired or the season dragging on. In each at-bat we’re out there trying to locate certain pitches. It’s just focusing on the here and now and that eliminates the clutter.”
Corey Hart continues his road to recovery from shoulder impingement and hit a solo home run in a rehab game with Triple-A Indianapolis. Manager Clint Hurdle stated that Hart feels good and that he will get more games and at-bats down there.
Jung Ho Kang gets a start as Gregory Polanco sits today. Hurdle did not want to ice Kang by having him down for too many days. Hurdle said Polanco’s benching was because of a better match-up for trying to win the game while citing Salazar as a reverse split pitcher.
Kang has been among the most patient Pirates as evidenced by his pitches-per-plate appearance. This does not surprise Hurdle.
“He’s got a really good eye and he’s usually really stubborn with his approach,” said Hurdle. “He’ll take some swings that make you say, ‘What the … ?’ The next pitch he’s reset and there’s no hangover effect. That’s one of the signs of a good hitter, a confident hitter.”
Today’s lineups:
Pirates [46-34]
1. Josh Harrison RF
2. Neil Walker 2B
3. Andrew McCutchen CF
4. Starling Marte LF
5. Jung Ho Kang 3B
6. Pedro Alvarez 1B
7. Jordy Mercer SS
8. Chris Stewart C
9. Gerrit Cole P
Indians [38-42]
1. Jason Kipnis 2B
2. Francisco Lindor SS
3. Michael Brantley LF
4. Carlos Santana 1B
5. Brandon Moss RF
6. Giovanny Urshela 3B
7. Michael Bourn CF
8. Roberto Perez C
9. Danny Salazar P
Bottom of the ninth:
The Pirates held their annual team party on the field following yesterday’s game. Among the festivities was Chris Stewart’s son Sebastian beating all of the perogies and children in a race across the warning track. The result surprised the elder Stewart.
“I’m trying to figure out who his real dad is because he definitely didn’t get that speed from me,” Stewart said. “He was flying out there and I know my daughter was looking forward to racing the perogies all week.”
Today also served as the team’s PhotoFest to season ticket holders. 2,000 season ticket holders were permitted to invite a guest and everyone lined the warning track. All of the Pirates with the exception of Cole greeted fans and posed for pictures.
“It’s our way of showing appreciation for them showing up each and every game and supporting us through the thick and thin,” said Stewart. “I’m sure some of them were here 10 years ago when it wasn’t looking so good. They stayed so strong and positive and it is our way to say thank you for doing that.”
Photo courtesy: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images
