The Pittsburgh Pirates hope to extend their winning streak to four games tonight when they face the Philadelphia Phillies.
Last night, the Pirates won 4-3 at Citizens Bank Park with the big hit being Starling Marte’s three-run home run, his eighth of the season. Marte has registered a hit in all eight of his games at Citizens Bank Park. Mark Melancon has recorded his 57 career save as Pirates good for eighth in team history.
Tonight’s starters 
The Pirates will send right-handed pitcher A.J. Burnett to the mound to face Sean O’Sullivan. Burnett ranks third in the National League with a 1.66 ERA. His 1.38 ERA in night games and 1.47 ERA in road games rank third and fourth, respectively, in the NL. Burnett is 6-9 with a 5.00 ERA in 20 career appearances [19 of which are starts] against the Phillies. Burnett has lost five of his last seven regular season decisions against the Phillies however he is coming off a win in his last start against the Cincinnati Reds in which he allowed two runs on seven hits over the course of seven innings.
O’Sullivan was activated from the 15-day DL earlier in the day after missing time due to left knee tendinitis. A win today would be his first in the major leagues in four years. In the four years since O’Sullivan has posted an 0-8 record with a 7.32 ERA. His last start was April 17 against the Washington Nationals and he lost allowing four runs on five hits in five innings. In his career O’Sullivan is 4-8 with a career ERA of 5.32.
Pregame thoughts:
Marte’s move to the cleanup spot has gone well thus far. In his last 23 games Marte is batting .337 with seven home runs and 22 RBI.
“Your cleanup hitter is your damage guy, he’s the guy that does damage,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “Your fifth hitter is your second damage guy on the team and has the ability to clean up what the cleanup guy missed. Marte has come and made strides every year and we’re seeing some more this year.”
Marte’s progress reminds Hurdle of Cesar Cedeno, a player he broke into the major leagues with. Cedeno had a .285 career batting average, registered double digit stolen bases in all 16 of his seasons [with a career high of 61 in 1977, the year Hurdle came into the big leagues] and 199 career home runs.
“He was a special player with a combination of speed, power, defensive ability, strong throwing arm and was one of those guys that was kind of kicked around in a five-tool category,” said Hurdle.
Josh Harrison returns to the lineup tonight after Jung Ho Kang played third base.
“We continue to work with Josh on rhythm, balance and timing,” Hurdle said. “Basically it’s seeing the ball well, getting your foot down and getting your swing off. There’s just been a little bit more acceleration in the box that we need from him and he’s aware of it. It’ll be a good night for him to get back out there tonight.”
Jared Hughes and Tony Watson’s usage was a topic of discussion for the second consecutive day. Hughes made his 19th appearance of the season which ties him with Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffres for the major league lead.
“Seventy-five is my magic number that I look to stay under,” said Hurdle. “I think I’ve only had one guy go over here in four full seasons of work and that was Jose Veras. It’s easy to throw out 80 unless the guy’s thrown out 75 the three years before that and that’s what we’ve got to be mindful of.”
Tonight’s lineups:
Pirates [16-16]
1. Gregory Polanco RF
2. Neil Walker 2B
3. Andrew McCutchen CF
4. Starling Marte LF
5. Pedro Alvarez 1B
6. Jung-ho Kang SS
7. Josh Harrison 3B
8. Francisco Cervelli C
9. A.J. Burnett P
Phillies [11-22]
1. Ben Revere LF
2. Freddy Galvis SS
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Jeff Francoeur RF
6. Cesar Hernandez 3B
7. Odubel Herrera CF
8. Carlos Ruiz C
9. Sean O’Sullivan P
Bottom of the ninth:
Hurdle gave Kang the lineup card from last night’s game. It was the first time in the majors that Kang had been hit put a pitch.
Former Pirate pitcher Wandy Rodriguez has found success with the Texas Rangers after he failed a physical with the Phillies and was released from his minor league contract by the Atlanta Braves.
Rodriguez retired 34 consecutive batters after his last start Sunday which set a Rangers franchise record. He is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA this season.
“Those are the fun opportunities you get as a manager when there’s something going on and you’re asked if you know anybody,” Hurdle said. “Wandy was very involved here, he tried and gave everything he had and the injuries got in the way late. He walked out of here very professionally and he seems to be in a much better place.”
