The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking for its fifth series win in the past seven series with a win this afternoon against the Philadelphia Phillies. Friday’s night’s game was delayed nearly 90 minutes by rain and went to the 13th inning before the Pirates prevailed 1-0. Starling Marte got the game-winning hit, a single which scored Chris Stewart.
Today’s starters:
The Pirates send Gerrit Cole to the mound to face Sean O’Sullivan.
Cole has won his past four starts including a seven-inning shutout against the Atlanta Braves. He threw a career high 116 pitches and allowed six hits in the win. In the four wins, Cole has allowed two earned runs in 29.1 innings of work. He is 2-1 with a 2.60 ERA in three career starts against the Phillies. He allowed two runs in seven innings in a 4-3 win against the Phillies earlier this season.
O’Sullivan has one win on the season with it coming May 17 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. His last starts was a no-decision in which he allowed three runs on seven hits against the San Francisco Giants. O’Sullivan is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two games [one start] against the Pirates. This is his first appearance at PNC Park and he is 0-3 with a 7.02 ERA in three road starts this season.
Pregame thoughts:
Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle elected for his players to arrive 90 minutes before the game. This he said was a way to allow his players to get some needed rest.
“We spent a lot of time here yesterday,” Hurdle said. “If they were in a hurry they would have gotten home at 2 o’clock. We don’t need to hit today, we spent enough time on the field. Our BP is 45 minutes to an hour and we will start at 2:30. I just like to mix it up and let them know they don’t have to be a slave to the routine.”
Gregory Polanco’s defense has been put on display this homestand with two leaping grabs at the wall. Many fans will remember his faulty footwork in an extra innings loss to the Chicago Cubs earlier this season, however Hurdle stated that his right fielder is seeing improvement.
“The wall has been a challenge and it was a challenge all throughout the minor leagues,” said Hurdle. “Now he’s got his steps down and knows when he gets to that track what kind of room he’s got left. This is a young man that still has things to work on and that is not easy in the big leagues but it can be done. He’s doing some of it.”
Rob Scahill will not be available for this afternoon’s game.
On the Phillies front, fans saw a fairly animated Ken Giles during his appearance last night. Giles made a gesture after striking out Jordy Mercer. This after intentionally walking Pedro Alvarez and then issuing another free pass to Francisco Cervelli.
“I’m just out there to compete, I don’t like giving freebies,” Giles said. “I understand the situation of the game. I just don’t like giving freebies. That’s about it…My emotions just got the best of me.”
Giles got into a heated exchange with both manager Ryne Sandberg and pitching coach Bob McClure following his appearance.
“We settled that right after the game,” said Giles. “Everything’s buried in the dirt. Nothing to worry about. It’s never going to happen again.”
Bottom of the ninth:
Hurdle discussed his backup plans if the Pirates needed a third catcher. It was Sean Rodriguez a man Hurdle referred to as very dependable at several positions. This meant that either A.J. Burnett or Charlie Morton would have put a first base glove on.
The Pirates manager was very complimentary when talking about Rodriguez.
“Regardless of the score, the inning, the crowd, he’s in his backyard,” Hurdle said. “This guy plays with as slow of a heartbeat with a glove on as anybody that I’ve ever had whether you put him in the outfield and the infield.”
Photo courtesy: Keith Srakocic/AP
