Following a 5-3 series-opening win against the Colorado Rockies, the Pittsburgh Pirates enter play tonight with a three-game winning streak, having also won the last two games of a series against the Miami Marlins.
J.A. Happ will get the ball for the Pirates against Chris Rusin.
Happ has not allowed a run in his last two starts [12 innings pitched] and has been charged with one run in his last 17.1 innings of work. He is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in four career appearances [three starts] against the Rockies. Happ threw six shutout innings in his last start, which came against the Marlins. Happ threw 94 pitches in the contest and surrendered four hits.
Rusin is 1-2 with a 4.19 ERA in four career starts against the Pirates. In his last season he took the loss allowing a season-high 11 runs on 12 hits in two innings of work against the New York Mets. Pirates hitters are batting .318 against Rusin with Pedro Alvarez batting 4-for-8 with three RBI.
Seventh inning stretch: It been a successful stretch of baseball for Gregory Polanco and yesterday he added another feather to his cap. According to Elias Sports Bureau, it has been 91 years since a Major League outfielder had at least three base hits, two runs, one RBI, one steal, two assists and participated in an outfielder-to-catcher double play. The last outfielder to accomplish this was Bob Meusel while playing for the New York Yankees on June 12, 1924.
Much has been made about Polanco’s bat, glove and arm; however, what is equally noticeable from him is his sliding.
Earlier in the season, the constant use of a pop-up slide hurt Polanco, however he has been more versatile with his sliding decisions which has been noticed by manager Clint Hurdle.
“Everything he’s done has gotten a lot better because of hard work,” Hurdle said. “The routines, the paying attention, watching video with the sliding, taking opportunities to go head first and hold or hold the base and maintain. He went into second base last night like a semi. That’s got to be an intense feeling for a middle infielder.
“The man of that size and speed going in so it’s all happening of the hard work. That’s why people coach, to get players like that. Hopefully you can help them make a difference and you’re so glad when they do.”
Bottom of the ninth: For those wondering when Aramis Ramirez will see time at first base, the answer is that likely not in the very near future.
Despite getting the first game of series following travel days off, the Pirates normally do not take batting practice on the field during those occasions. Hurdle’s idea is to have Ramirez at first base is not because of the many options at third base.
“My main reason for checking him out there was in case Pedro got hurt,” said Hurdle. “We had some different options but we may have a guy who could go out there and man the position full-time with a lot less complication in a lot less areas.”
Starling Marte was held out of tonight’s lineup. Hurdle cited the “eye test” and giving him a break from batting. Marte has one hit in his last 18 plate appearances… Since May 9, the Pirates have posted a 65-33 record since May 9 which is a Major League best… The Pirates will go over the 2 million fan mark in home attendance tonight. This is the 66th home game of the season making it the second-fastest time in club history. In 2001, the Pirates drew 2 million in their 63rd home game… If Mark Melancon gets a save in tonight’s game, he will earn his 43rd save of the season which would tie Jose Mesa for second-most in a single season in team history… Polanco leads all National League players with 37 hits this month… Alvarez is hitting .500 [11-for-22] against left-handed pitchers since July 11.
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