Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (59-53) look to bounce back from last night’s late inning loss to the Marlins (55-57) in the second game of a three-game set. Jeff Locke (2-3, 3.77 ERA) will oppose Tom Koehler (7-8, 3.70 ERA).
Injury Update
Neil Walker is not in today’s lineup after leaving last night’s game with a stiff back.
“Based on the way he responded last night, there was some tightening up,” said manager Clint Hurdle. “:We thought we would give him another full day of treatment. See the doctors and evaluations came back that he was in a good place. He was out with the media earlier for a PSA and we’ll see what kind of activity we can add to it before the game. If he’s going to be a usable player off the bench.”
Gerrit Cole made his second rehab start last night going 4 1/3 IP while giving up 10 hits and five earned runs while striking out three. Hurdle says there is nothing to worry about as the outing focused on some mechanical goals rather than pitching to his full potential.
“It was a gear down game for him in the fact that we gave him a couple goals going in,” said Hurdle. “We wanted him to repeat delivery and maintain arm slot. The challenge that can come with that is a young man also competing and doesn’t want to give up runs. We told him that the bigger picture, we needed to put this step in place this time out. Not to be reactionary in what results we might get. Maintain velocity consistently because more often than not, you get guys with special skills and talents, if they get in jams they throw pitches to get outs down there that might not translate to getting outs up here. He stayed the course, was very stubborn with his approach and he felt good about it. It was a positive day throwing today and he will throw his bullpen tomorrow and after that we’ll give a next scheduled date for a rehab start.”
Hurdle’s Quotes
Playing two men down with Walker and McCutchen unavailable: “It presents some different challenges. None that I haven’t taken on with a coaching staff before. You just have to look for maybe an opportunity, you don’t have as many men to work with off the bench. There might be a double-switch in place to maximize the player you have. Sometimes you hold on to the most versatile player you have till the end. The player that can play multiple positions till the end. There are some things you can’t do and you know you can’t do them going in and there’s some matchups you run into that you’re just going to run into that you don’t have a counter-punch for.”
Other Notes
— Since the second half of the season began on July 18, the Pirates have score a National League-high 80 runs in 17 games, the fifth-highest total in the MLB, trailing only Cleveland (89), Toronto (88), Chi-AL (87) and Oakland (85).
— Jeff Locke is making his seventh home start of the season tonight. In his last five starting assignments at PNC Park, Locke has gone 1-1 with a 2.31 ERA (40 1/3 IP / 15 ER) while pitching at least 6 innings in each of his last five assignments.
Pirates Lineup
First pitch is set for 7:05.
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(Photo Credit: Bill Gentry)
