Good morning from PNC Park where today the Pirates (41-40) look to take the series against the Mets (37-44). Edinson Volquez (5-6, 4.35 ERA) faces Bartolo Colon (8-5, 3.67 ERA).
Hurdle’s Quotes
On his team at the midway point: “I look at the volume of play, the way we’ve been playing baseball and we’ve had a solid month of June. We played better in May. We’re playing better now. We just got to keep working, get a little bit better everyday. Rotation needs to keep giving us the innings we need so we can use the bullpen when we want to. Offensively, we keep grinding out at bats and keep finding different ways to score in the lineup.”
Other Notes
— Tomorrow will be the final scheduled off day for the Pirates until the All-Star break (July 14-17). Beginning Tuesday the Bucs are scheduled to play 13 straight games (six at home/seven on the road).
— The Pirates have won six of their last eight games and seven of their last ten. Have gone 12-7 in their last 19 games and 16-10 in their last 26. Have gone 31-22 in their last 53 games (since 5/2) after going 10-18 in their first 28. They were 51-30 after 81 games last season.
— Andrew McCutchen is the first Pittsburgh player with 20 extra-base hits in one month since Brian Giles (June 2001). The last Bucco with more than 20 extra-base hits in one month was Willie Stargell, who had 22 in June 1971.
This Afternoon’s Pirates Lineup
(Today is a scheduled off day for Andrew McCutchen)
Polanco RF
Marte CF
Walker 2B
Davis 1B
Harrison LF
Alvarez 3B
Mercer SS
Stewart C
Volquez P
First pitch is set for 1:35.
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(Photo Credit: George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
