Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (67-63) look to build off of their series victory in Milwaukee as they begin a three-game set against the NL Wild Card-leading Cardinals (70-59). Francisco Liriano (3-10, 4.18 ERA) will take the hill and oppose newly acquired John Lackey (1-1, 5.40 ERA).
Roster Moves
— The Pirates made a roster move this afternoon sending OF Gregory Polanco to AAA Indianapolis and recalling OF Jose Tabata. Polanco will be back with the team after the rosters expand to 40 next Monday.
Polanco is in the midst of a 1-30 slide while seeing minimal playing time due to the hot bat of Travis Snider.
— The Pirates also activated Clint Barmes from the 15-day disabled list (left groin strain) and have DFA’d Jayson Nix.
Nix went 4-for-36 (.111) in 39 plate appearances (16 games) for the Pirates with a RBI and a stolen base.
Hurdle’s Quotes
On the Polanco demotion:
“The timing is off in the swing and I don’t think the best way to spend the next week is him sitting on the bench every day. We’ll give him the opportunity to get down, get some at-bats, get out of the spotlight that’s been here for a week and find his way. I believe he will, he’ll come back and help this ballclub in September in a very positive fashion.”
Other Notes
— In 39 games with AAA Indianapolis, Tabata is hitting .281/.349/.687 with 10 doubles and 12 RBI while only striking out 14 times in 163 plate appearances. Tabata is also 13-f0r 30 (.433) in his last eight games with Indianapolis.
— Andrew McCutchen went 4-for-13 (.308) with two home runs, two RBI, four runs and a walk in the Milwaukee series after an 0-for-8 series against Atlanta which was the first since returning from the DL.
— The Pirates will be moving their low-A Jamestown team to Morgantown upon completion of WVU’s new stadium which is set to open for the 2015 season.
Tonight’s Pirates Lineup
Harrison 3B
Snider RF
McCutchen CF
Walker 2B
Martin C
Alvarez 1B
Marte LF
Mercer SS
Liriano P
First pitch is set for 7:05.
(Photo Credit: Justin K. Aller / Getty Images)
