Good afternoon from PNC Park where today the Pirates (39-39) begin a 10-game homestand against the New York Mets (36-42). Vance Worley (1-0, 1.98 ERA) will oppose Daisuke Matsuzaka (3-1, 2.68 ERA).
Injury Update
Starling Marte: “The neck, the head aren’t really an issue,” said manager Clint Hurdle. “He’s being treated for that right-middle finger. He’s gone and tried to hit, so we’re going to find out what the availability he’ll have tonight. It’s better than it was yesterday, but we’re going to run Harrison out into left field.”
Francisco Liriano: “He pitched a 30-pitch bullpen out of the windup and everything went as well as you could hope,” said Hurdle. “He’ll put in a little flat-ground work tomorrow and we hope to get him back for another bullpen out of the stretch and windup with all pitches again on Sunday.”
Hurdle’s Quotes
On the thought of bringing a super-utility guy like Josh Harrison to the All-Star game: “Is it a thought that has merit? Yes. It’s like that sixth man in basketball. There could be a need for a super-utility guy to have a birth on an All-Star team and there’s been some games that have had some length to them that a guy like that could provide you with some added depth and some valuable depth.”
Other Notes
— In the last 17 games, Pittsburgh starting pitching has combined to go 8-4 with a 3.19 ERA (107 1/3 IP/38 ER). The starting staff has gone 12-6 with a 3.29 ERA (139 1/3 IP/51 ER) this month, ranking second behind Milwaukee (13-5, .722) in winning percentage and fourth in ERA behind Washington (2.47), Los Angeles (2.97) and St. Louis (3.21).
— The Pirates have homered a season-high six straight times. The Pirates have gone 26-18 when homering in a game this season; 15-3 when going deep twice or more.
— Russell Martin has reached base safely in 38 of his 42 games this season and ranks second to New York’s Curtis Granderson (.472) among all National League players with a .451 OBP during the month of June, going 17-for-62 (.274) with 15 walks and five HBP’s. Since returning from the DL on 5/23, Martin has reached base safely in 22 of his 23 starts.
Tonight’s Pirates Lineup
Polanco RF
Harrison LF
McCutchen CF
Walker 2B
Martin C
Davis 1B
Alvarez 3B
Mercer SS
Worley P
First pitch is set for 7:05.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
