Good afternoon from PNC Park where tonight the Pirates (60-53) look to take a series from the Marlins (55-58). Edinson Volquez (8-7, 3.91 ERA) will take the hill and oppose Brian Flynn (0-0, 6.00 ERA).
Injury Update
Neil Walker remains an emergency-only bench player for tonight’s game.
“He felt better today and was treated this afternoon,” said manager Clint Hurdle. “He received treatment when he got to the park. He’s going to try and do some more mobility stuff, some flexibility stuff. He might hit in the cage. We will probability try and stay away from him tonight if we can.”
Pedro Alvarez is eligible to come off of the bereavement list tomorrow. It is unknown if he will be with the team tomorrow as of yet.
“The last communication I had with him was there was a possibility that he could return tonight,” said Hurdle. “That’s not in cement. I reached out to him today and have not heard back.”
Andrew McCutchen continues to improve from his rib injury.
“He’s gotten better,” said Hurdle. “He’s adding more to his return to recovery routine. It’s still a wait and see on if he can avoid the DL.”
Clint Barmes continues to work towards a rehab assignment that could start next week.
“It’s going well,” said Hurdle. “He’s taken all of the BP, taken all of the field work. We’re incorporating the running portion of it right now. He started running perimeter drills, he’s done agility drills, mobility drills and baserunning will be picked up during this homestand and as soon as he can show the ability to run the bases, turn bases, stop, pick up and go then we will sketch out a plan for a rehab.”
Hurdle’s Quotes
On facing a rookie pitcher for the first time: “From my perspective, based on my experience, It will all come down to the location of his pitches. It could take one time through the lineup to develop some familiarity because you can see and arm slot and angle on video. You can watch it a lot until you get into the box that first time and see some pitches. That gets you in a better position for your second at bat. If he makes pitches, it can be a challenge. If they leave pitches up over the plate then maybe you can bull rush him, take advantage of some of the inexperience that might show up.”
On a changed pitching philosophy that has improved the pitching staff: “When I walked in the door here, there was a team that had lost 212 games in back-to-back seasons and we felt there was an opportunity to make significant improvement off the mound with a more focused pitching philosophy and it has given us an opportunity to eliminate that separation from where we were and where other teams were, especially off the mound and has helped us. One of the reasons that we’re a more competitive team. One of the reasons.”
Other Notes
— In six career starts against Miami, Edinson Volquez has gone 5-0 with a 1.95 ERA (37 IP / 8 ER). He won his only start last season while pitching with the Padres, a 9-2 decision over Ricky Nolasco in Miami on 6/28 (6 IP / 2 ER), and has pitched at least 6 innings in five of the six starts while also allowing two runs or less five times.
— Last night’s come-from-behind victory was Pittsburgh’s 28th of the season, which is tops in the National League and tied with the Athletics for fourth-most in MLB behind the Angels (33), Tigers (30) and Indians (29).
— Josh Harrison has 20 hits over his last 10 games and 12 of them have gone for extra-base hits. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Harrison is the first Pirates player with at least 20 hits, including 12 or more extra-base hits, in a 10-game span since Dave Parker in September 1978; prior to Parker it was Paul “Big Poison” Waner in May 1932.
— Rob Biertempfel of the Trib reports the Pirates have made a minor league trade with the Brewers to open up AAA roster space.
#Pirates traded Indy RHP Jay Jackson to #Brewers for cash and activated Indy RHP Jake Brigham from DL
— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) August 7, 2014
Tonight’s Pirates Lineup
First pitch is set for 7:05.
(Photo Credit: Justin K Aller/Getty Images)
