The Pittsburgh Pirates won the first game of their four-game series against the San Francisco Giants by a 4-0 score Thursday night to go a season-high 25 games over .500.
Jeff Locke [6-7 4.31 ERA] will start tonight for the Pirates. He is 0-0 with an 8.68 ERA in two career starts against the Giants. In his last start, he allowed one run on four hits in 5.1 innings against the New York Mets in a no-decision. Locke has not pitched six innings since July 19 against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Tonight’s game will be no easy task as Madison Bumgarner [14-6 2.98 ERA] makes his return to PNC Park’s mound. Fans will remember last season’s wild card game, in which he shutout the Pirates in a complete game effort.
As if Bumgarner’s pitching is not enough, his bat may be the best among all active pitchers.
“You’ve got to treat this guy better than some of the players,” said Pirates manager Clint Hurdle. “The bat’s real, the bat plays, the manager told you how he feels when he put him in against Rosenthal last night. He does give them an extended look.”
Giants manager Bruce Bochy has praised Bumgarner’s work ethic, stating that he does not miss a workout.
Bumgarner is 2-3 with a 2.38 ERA in five career outings against the Pirates. He has won his past three starts, including two consecutive complete game efforts in his past two starts. Last time out, Bumgarner shutout the Washington Nationals and tied a season high by striking out 14 batters and tied another season high by throwing 112 pitches.
Seventh inning stretch: Harrison met with reporters following early batting practice.
“It feels good to be back,” Harrison said. “I’ve been keeping up with the guys and I just want 
to back with the guys in the clubhouse and be side by side going out there playing every night. I felt more comfortable as each game went on. There are so many things you tend to forget about when you don’t play in 5-6 weeks. Slide steps and everything, make sure I cover every base I need to.”
Harrison stated that he felt ready and by playing multiple positions while on his Triple-A rehab assignment, deemed himself ready to help the Pirates make their final push.
His thumb was wrapped during the interview and he still had to undergo treatments, but this Harrison stressed was mainly as a precaution.
Harrison’s arrival and Jordy Mercer’s expected arrival within the next week or so complicates the starting lineup, one Hurdle specifically wishes to tell his players first and foremost.
Manager Clint Hurdle would not fully reveal Harrison’s spot in the field or lineup but did state that it was a good problem to have.
“We are going to use all of our guys,” Hurdle said. “We are going to use his [Harrison’s] skill set. It’s not just about the skill set, but the guy, the edge he brings. Ramirez isn’t going to be an every day guy just because he isn’t an every day guy anymore. He’s going to have to catch his breath. [Kang] has done an admirable job at shortstop. We’ll address that when Jordy comes up.”
Bottom of the ninth: Harrison also spoke to reporters about the “meat hook”, which has replaced the Zoltan as the signal for when the team gets a hit. It was a combined idea between Harrison and Andrew McCutchen that the team picked up.
“We actually ran across the picture a couple of years ago and we thought it was funny. There were a few times Cutch and I did it last year after the Zoltan but I don’t think anyone noticed it because it was really subtle. It was something that me and him did as an inside joke. This year, we decided to do it and most of the guys knew. It’s just something different and guys look forward to doing it.”
The Giants have dropped 10 of their last 14 road contests and are averaging 1.5 runs per game through the first four games of their road trip… Newly acquired Marlon Byrd is 5-for-14 with two home runs in his career against Jeff Locke… The Giants are 17-11 against left-handed starters this season… Neil Walker’s home run in his last game was his 90th in his career and as a switch hitter ranks behind Bobby Bonilla [114] in team history and fourth among current National League players… Francisco Cervelli tied a career-high with four hits in Tuesday’s game. In his past 13 contests at PNC Park, Cervelli is batting .449… Hurdle stated that he spoke on the phone today with Travis Snider and that there was dialogue, based on how Snider felt things were going and where he wants to be… Aramis Ramirez is 6-for-18 lifetime against Bumgarner.
Photo credit: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images
