The Pittsburgh Pirates moved to 10-0 at home against National League East opponents after a 3-2 victory Friday night against the Atlanta Braves in 10 innings.
This afternoon the Pirates may battle the weather just as much — if not more than — the Braves as mother nature looks to add another layer to a lengthy stretch of recent home games. Both of the past two nights have featured games that have gone into extra innings, making it four home contests in the past nine games that have gone to extras.
Charlie Morton is scheduled to pitch today for the Pirates against Julio Teheran. Morton is 1-2 with a 3.32 ERA in four career starts against his former team. Morton earned his lone victory against the Braves earlier this season. Morton lost his first start of the season in his last appearance and could not make it out of the first innings against the Washington Nationals. Morton allowed nine runs on eight hits in 0.2 innings and saw his ERA jump from 1.62 to 3.97.
Teheran is facing the Pirates for a sixth time [it will be his fifth start] and has posted a 2-0 record with a 3.29 ERA against them. Teheran has walked 32 batters which is the ninth highest total in the National League. He won his last start which was against the New York Mets pitching seven shutout innings while allowing one hit.
Mercer gaining confidence:
After experiencing so much hard hit contact, many believed Jordy Mercer’s bat would soon produce some hits.
“I haven’t lost confidence because of last year,” Mercer said. “Last year was huge for me and for this whole organization. They kept trusting me and this year it’s the same. I have been seeing the ball so well and haven’t been getting results, but that’s fine, I’m in a good place.”
Mercer produced the game-winning double against former Pirate Jason Grilli in the 10th inning of last night’s game. The ball was hit to the opposite field and hit off the Clemente Wall in right field.
“That’s was when I know I’m at my best, when the ball goes the other way,” said Mercer. “When I’m in a good place, I’m hitting the ball to right field.”
This recent surge in offense has added to his defense which has received much praise from manager Clint Hurdle.
“The routes he takes to balls and angles are as good as anyone in the game,” Hurdle said. “He plays a blue collar shortstop, [Clint] Barmes was a great mentor for him. There is not a throw he can’t make on the diamond.
Mercer agreed with his manager and acknowledged Barmes’ influence.
“He’s got a slow heartbeat, he never gets excited and never lets the game quick on him,” said Mercer. “He positions himself for certain hitters and knows the runners. It’s things like that you’ve heard about but never put into context. To combine all of that stuff it’s helped me out in the long run and it’s going to help me out for years to come.”
Seventh inning stretch:
Hurdle mentioned last night that he had never witnessed a runner try a pop-up slide at third base when there was already a Pirate there. This was something else that was discussed at today’s pregame press conference.
“We are making some mistakes in overall baseball awareness,” Hurdle said. “We’ve complicated things for ourselves recently. Winning can be a deodorant. I’ve been in situations when things can be overlooked when you win and they’re overcooked when you don’t. Not so here, we look for coach-able moments.”
In addition to Polanco’s recent base running inconsistencies his ground ball rate is starting to increase as he has two hits in his last 21 at-bats.
“This is a thing where you’ve got to get busy with work up there and you’ve got to take an edge with you and roll up your sleeves,” said Hurdle. “You have to realize that they’re trying to send you back to Triple-A, they’re trying to run you out of the big leagues.”
Bottom of the ninth:
In Friday’s game, Williams Perez departed the game prior to the conclusion of the fifth inning despite trying to pitch through injury. He was in a walking boot following the game as a precaution. Today Perez was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left foot contusion. Jake Brigham was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to take his place.
Jordy Mercer is 7-for-21 in his last five games…The Pirates are 9-0 in afternoon games played at home…In the past five seasons, the Pirates have posted a major league best record of 82-48 in the month of June. They have secured another winning June with a 15-8 record thus far in the month.
Photo credit: AP
