The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to earn its second consecutive series win and its fourth straight victory over a National League East opponent when it faces the Miami Marlins tonight. A win would place the Pirates at 23-22 on the season.
The Pirates won a 4-2 game last night with Charlie Morton earning a victory in his first start of the season. Francisco Cervelli hit his first home run of the season, also the first from any Pirates catcher. Pedro Alvarez contributed with an opposite field homer, his ninth of 2015.
Morton allowed three hits to the first four batters he faced before he settled down. He had his battles against Giancarlo Stanton throughout the night.
“The first pitch was just elevated and he’s so strong,” Morton said. “You elevate the ball and he’s going to hit it hard. The home run, I was trying to steal a strike with a four-seamer away and he was a little late but it was middle-middle and he’s so strong that if he barrels the ball there’s a good chance something bad is going to happen. Then I made a few good pitches. I had a sinker down and in and stole a few strikes and then made a good pitch with the curveball.”
Tonight’s starters:
Jeff Locke hopes to extend the Pirates string of quality starts when he faces Jose Urena.
Locke is 1-2 against the Marlins with a 3.62 ERA in five career starts. He was 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two starts last season. His last start was a no-decision in which he allowed three run on seven hits over the course of six innings.
Urena made two relief appearances earlier in the season however this is his first career start. He posted a 4-0 record with a 1.21 ERA in Triple-A New Orleans this season.
“It’s a little different but we’ve done it before,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “We have a few of these that come along so you grab all the video you can get. It’s amazing how you can network. We do believe we have what we need. It’s a three pitch guy and it’s a fresh arm that’s going to come after you.”
Pregame thoughts:
With Morton’s call-up, Vance Worley was officially sent to the bullpen although his start against the Minnesota Twins was skipped.
Worley told reporters in Spring Training that it would be hard to transition to a bullpen role if he was asked to do so. Now he has had a week to try to come up with his routine.
While the routine may take some adjusting he is clear on what the expectations are.
“In my role I know what situations I’m going to be used so as I see things unravel that’s when I have to start preparing,” Worley said. “If it happens it happens, if not then tomorrow.”
Hurdle stated that Worley’s role will be the one Radhames Liz had before him. Worley is the long relief guy and may be thrown an inning and or two here or there to keep him fresh.
Worley’s last appearance was a week ago against the Minnesota Twins. He had a strikeout in his two innings, the first for him since May 5.
Worley voiced some frustration to reporters in Philadelphia that he was coming across in his delivery and seemed more pleased with his progress at this point.
“My last outing was better, I had a strikeout, I hadn’t seen one of those in a while,” said Worley. “I’m on the right track as far as being able to command my pitches again and it’s always very little that will mess something up so I just have to keep an eye on that and wait for the next opportunity.”
Gregory Polanco is out of tonight’s lineup. Josh Harrison, whose 11-game hitting streak ended last night will start in his place. Jordy Mercer will get another start at shortstop and Jung Ho Kang will play third base.
“Today I wanted to play Mercer, the guys 4-through-eight in the lineup had 10 hits last night,” Hurdle said. “There’s going to be some days off because other guys are going to be in. However you want to phrase and look at it I want to do whatever is best for the lineup.”
Bottom of the ninth:
Francisco Cervelli leads all major league catchers with a .321 batting average… Since the start of the 2012, only Giancarlo Stanton [111] has homered more times than Pedro Alvarez [93] among National League Players… Alvarez is hitting .379 with four home runs in the past eight games… The Pirates are 9-1 against the Marlins at PNC Park since 2012… Tony Watson leads all Pirates with 16 scoreless innings.
Photo credit: Getty Images
