Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (64-60) look to break a five-game slump as they begin a three-game series against the Braves (64-60). Vance Worley (5-2, 2.51 ERA) will take the hill and oppose Ervin Santana (12-6, 3.66 ERA).
Player Updates
Andrew McCutchen took live batting practice today and “expects” to be in the lineup tomorrow when he’s eligible to come off the DL.
Jordy Mercer took fielding practice today without throwing and took swings in the cage.
“He’s got some more work to do in his return to play program,” said manager Clint Hurdle. “He swung the bat in the cage yesterday to do more cage work, velocity and spin work done by him, so he’s going to be doing that today. I don’t anticipate him starting tonight, but we’ll see if he’s a usable player off the bench.”
Clint Barmes continues to rehab in the minors and will start tonight in Indianapolis.
“He has played in two quick games and is scheduled to play in a game tonight in Indianapolis. He played in two five inning bouts with three at bats. He made a handful of plays both nights. Everything’s going well. Some initial, I’m sure, just post-game soreness, but he’s up and running and is supposed to play seven innings tonight.”
Hurdle’s Quotes
On the team pressing after losing five straight: “I don’t think so. The level of competition is so great that as long as you stick with the facts,the hard part is letting the feelings become facts and the facts are we had a lead in the sixth inning or later in three of those games on the road and didn’t find a way to close in many different ways, so that goes back to meeting the demands of the game and that’s with the personnel we have in play right now. These guys know what’s at stake. They know they’re playing for something that matters. They believe in themselves. They’re back home and have a chance to reset and re-calibrate. There’s some optimism in front of us.”
Other Notes
— Clint Hurdle participated in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge today. He was nominated by former Pirate Mike LaValliere.
— The Pirates current five-game losing streak is the first time they have lost more than four in-a-row since September 2012.
— John Axford has made back-to-back scoreless appearances since being claimed off of waivers from Cleveland on Thursday. He worked a scoreless eighth inning Sunday in Washington and struck out two of the three batters he faced while making his Bucco debut Friday.
Tonight’s Pirates Lineup
First pitch is set for 7:05.
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(Photo Credit: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
