Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (10-18) look to turn things around against the Blue Jays (13-15). Gerrit Cole (2-2, 3.18 ERA) will start off the nine-game homestand against Brandon Morrow (1-2, 6.04 ERA).
Hurdle’s Quotes
On the Pirates plate appearances the past couple games : “I think it’s improving and we’re going to continue to work hard to get it better. We found opportunities to get men on base with regularity all throughout both games yesterday. Much more so than in the previous series, so we’ve challenged the level of commitment, the continuing of never giving up the at bat, the battling throughout mindset. We’re looking forward to matching up here. We’re going to have a good opportunity tonight to go against a guy we haven’t seen before.”
On Jeff Locke possibly making a start Monday: “For possibly giving us another option on which to look towards Monday.”
Locke pitched two innings in Indianapolis before being removed last night.
Other Notes
— Wandy Rodriguez threw his first rehab outing yesterday for AA Altoona. He line: 3 1/3 IN, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3BB, 3 K, 1 HR. 74 pitches (48 strikes). His next step in his rehab is TBD.
— Gerrit Cole is making his sixth start of the season tonight. He has allowed one run in each of his last two starts since being charged with a career-high five earned runs in his start on April 15 at Cincinnati. Cole has gone 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA (15 IN/3 ER) in his first two home starts this season.
— Major League Baseball announced yesterday that the Pirates-Dodgers game in Los Angeles on June 1 has been selected by ESPN. It marks the second time this year that the Bucs will be on Sunday Night Baseball. First pitch from Dodger stadium will now be at 8:07 eastern time on June 1.
Tonight’s Pirates Lineup
Tabata RF
Walker 2B
McCutchen CF
Alvarez 3B
G. Sanchez 1B
Marte LF
T. Sanchez C
Mercer SS
Cole P
First pitch is set for 7:05
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(Photo Credit: Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
