Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (18-26) look to recover from last night’s 9-2 loss to the Orioles (23-20) in the second game of a two-game interleague series. Wandy Rodriguez (0-2, 6.84 ERA) will make his second start since returning from the DL and will oppose Chris Tillman (4-2, 3.34 ERA).
Hurdle’s Quotes
On Wandy Rodriguez building off of his last start: “I’m excited to watch him get out there. I think he had anxiety, he had excitement, he had apprehension. He put a lot of work into making some tweaks to his delivery. He was able to get his fingers on top of the ball where he was able to keep the ball down better. At times, pitching backwards maybe some soft stuff in offensive counts where he was able to mix it up. He was able to compete, make plays. I thought he showed up well and this will be another test against a very good offensive club. He got to see last night what they’re capable of doing.”
On if Cumpton’s success is worth moving a pitcher in the rotation if they struggle: “We’re in a constant process of evaluating and you look at the men you have, the work that’s being done. You look at Liriano. I’m here to tell you that we’re not going to move Liriano. As long as he’s healthy, we’re going to keep feeding him the ball and help him find his way back. Wandy’s back now with one start. I think he’s going to have an opportunity to pitch and show us what he can do. Volquez, he went from a guy last year that led the league in walks. Now, the basic conversation we’re having is you’re throwing too many strikes. Charlie, the big inning has gotten Charlie and then you see five or six zeros show up so, where he’s at, it’s more consistency, the challenges are all to each individual guy, but we’re well aware of what we have developing down there and the options that we could have if we need to go there.”
Other Notes
— Pirate catchers Tony Sanchez and Chris Stewart have gone a combined 10-for-32 (.313.) with two home runs and seven RBI in the last nine games. Overall, the three Bucco backstops are batting .256 with four homers and 24 RBI.
— Neil Walker has started each of the first 44 games of the season at second base. The last Pirates second basemen to make more consecutive starts to begin a season there was Jose Lind with 83 in 1988.
— The Pirates will play their first team from the National League East division when they host the Washington Nationals tomorrow night. The Bucs went 20-14 against the N.L. East in 2013 (10-6 at home).
Tonight’s Pirates Lineup
First pitch is set for 7:05.
Follow @TBerardi_OVA
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
