SAN FRANCISCO — Quick: Name the highest-paid player in the Pirates’ history.
Need a hint?
OK, it’s the guy who did all this Wednesday — seven innings, one run, four hits, six strikeouts — in a 5-2 sinking of the Giants that brought a sweep of the World Series champs.
It’s also the guy who, ever since that two-inning touchdown against the Twins two weeks ago, has 29 strikeouts in 20 innings over three starts in which he’s allowed two total runs.
And the guy who, despite a deceiving 3.24 ERA, has held opponents to two or fewer runs in seven of his 11 starts.
Any wonder why ownership and management stepped up this winter to pay Francisco Liriano $39 million over three years to avoid losing him through free agency?
“Frankie’s been just tremendous for us,” Clint Hurdle said. “You look at the way he’s throwing the ball right now, the way he’s locating the fastball to both sides to set up that big back-door slider, and that’s the pitcher you expect. He’s been every bit of that.”
Every penny’s worth, too.
I didn’t have any worries about the Minnesota debacle. Liriano just didn’t have it. That happens. As Ray Searage told me that night, “You throw it right out.” But I did find it oddly unsettling that Liriano suddenly started striking everyone out and, for all the rush that brings, couldn’t stay efficient enough to last longer than six innings.
Strikeouts are wonderful, but bridging the gap to the back of the bullpen is better.
I asked Liriano if maybe he attacked the bat more in this one:
Can you tell he hates that question?
He hated it even more when I asked it in San Diego. But it strikes me as fair game that a starter’s top priority should be going deep.
Hurdle, it turns out, had it right last week at PNC Park: Liriano’s pattern is that he uses strikeouts to climb out of a bad place. It’s where he rebuilds his confidence. And once it’s back, he’ll reinstall the rest of his repertoire and look a whole lot more complete.
Duly noted.
At any rate, the signing of Liriano, one highly unusual for this franchise in actually outbidding other teams for an elite player on the open market, looks like a smart investment at this early stage. Gerrit Cole and A.J. Burnett have earned most of the accolades, and I use the word earned advisedly. But Liriano has been every bit as good as Burnett and almost as good as Cole.
• Oh, and hey, remember Cole talking last week about that spring premonition he made to this site back in spring training wherein he, Burnett and Liriano would be feared as a trio in a given series?
Well, they’re now 3 for 3 on that for sweeps: Diamondbacks on the road April 24-26, Mets at home May 22-24, and now this.
• It’s not that Jordy Mercer homered for the second time in less than 24 hours. It’s not even that these were his first two of the season.
It’s how hard he hit them.
The one Tuesday night landed eight rows up in the left-field bleachers, and the one in the fifth inning Wednesday that put the Pirates ahead, 2-1, landed 10 rows up.
It’s been a long, lousy start to the season for Mercer, but he’s now 10 for 27 — .370 — with two home runs and two walks in his past nine starts at shortstop. That’s partly why Hurdle sent him right back out there Wednesday.
“Look, Jordy played 149 games for us last season, more than anyone else,” Hurdle said. “He’s a good baseball player. And we’re going to stick by him. I liked the way he swung last night, and I wanted to give him another chance to have at it.”
Hurdle’s other reason for going with Mercer was Jung Ho Kang’s 0-for-14 skid. And then, of course, Kang lifted a two-run double in the seventh as a pinch-hitter.
It’s been a difficult couple weeks for Mercer, much as he’s tried to mask it. But the one constant has been his support of Kang, as well as vice versa. I asked Mercer about his visibly emotional reaction when Kang doubled:
“That guy,” Francisco Cervelli said of Mercer, “is a total professional.”
• Don’t know if they showed this on TV, but Kang’s double scored Cervelli and Mercer, but only after Cervelli played a small joke on Mercer by slowing down on the third base path. Mercer stopped just shy.
The two had quite the laugh about it on the way to the dugout:
Jordy Mercer and Francisco Cervelli score on Jung Ho Kang’s ninth-inning double. — GETTY
And no, for anyone concerned, there was no threat. The ball was on the warning track.
• Jose Tabata, the new Iron Man?
Um, no. But it just might have made a statement that he’s serious about this stint in the majors that he crashed face-first into the left-field fence while pursuing Tim Hudson’s double in the third inning, then, after needing three minutes to collect himself on the warning track, stayed in the game and smacked an RBI single in his next at-bat.
Given Tabata’s rocky history, especially with this stuff, it’s far too early to declare anything. But watching him on and off the field, there’s no doubt something’s different.
• The only real bummer came in the ninth, when Rob Scahill again struggled badly — three hits in four batters faced — and Hurdle had to summon Mark Melancon for the save after being clear in the morning he did not want to use his closer if he could avoid it.
• The Pirates are set to take off from SFO early this evening. They’ll have a free day in Atlanta, then get back to it Friday at Turner Field.
• I’m going home later tonight on the red-eye. Josh Yohe will cover the Braves series.
As a Bucco fan in the ATL, I can't wait to see my boys down here. Pumped up for some good baseball. DK, are these guys even tighter than last years group or what? I wish the Pens had been as tight as this bunch this past winter? Chemistry!!!!
This team is developing a very rare, special chemistry, both among the players, and between players and coaches. It's a talent rich bunch to start with, and the chemistry leverages that to another level. Top notch coverage, DK.
Not related to the game thread, but spent the afternoon watching the 'Almost Bucs' here in Indy. 3-0 win for the good guys in 2hrs 10mins! Diaz has a cannon behind the plate, Jaff made a couple of excellent throws from RF to hold runners. Broxton was quiet, but showed some serious wheels. Not sure where he'll ever fit in Pittsburgh with the logjam in OF. Sanchez, Lombardozzi, Morel combined 0-11. Clayton Richard threw 7 shutout innings. Nothing special, but efficient. Oh, and beautiful day for a ball game.
I believe Kang's 2 run double was in the 9th, not seventh as stated in the article; just a small note though. I've really enjoyed the West Coast coverage - thanks!
Dejan,
Your business plan is working so very well. Just as things are picking up in different parts of our sports city, you, Josh, and the rest of your staff are on it. You are expanding at the right time with the right people. No need to hit the team or other informational sites. I get all my information as a Johnstown kid transplanted east from dkonpittsburghsports.com!
The insinuation that it's bad to strike out people at his recent rate drives me nuts. I would take 11K in 6 innings over 6K in 7 innings any day of the week, given accompanying decrease in the expected number of runs allowed over those innings.
Now, it may be a problem if a pitcher tries to strike everyone out, to the degree that he nibbles and walks too many people. But Liriano is not having that problem when he strikes out 10+ over 6 scoreless innings.
With how easy it is to find bullpen arms and so, so much crystal clear evidence regarding decreasing performance each time through a lineup, it's more damning of the GM's performance than the starter's performance if he's *expected* to get through 7 at the detriment of his overall productivity.
Don't get me wrong, the guys who put up Frankie's numbers *and* get through 7 or 8 each time out are certainly preferred. They're also called aces, and there are very few of them, and they make a hell of a lot more than he does.
Bucs are playing a crisp brand of baseball these days. However the defense still needs to tighten up. The two errors in the 7th inning made for some tense moments.
The Pirates are so exciting to watch right now. The young talent is maturing rapidly, this team is finding ways to win tight ball games. This speaks volumes of the job Clint Hurdle has done here. The importance of this sweep cannot be underestimated in how this franchise is shaping up. Have to believe that these guys have one thought in mind right now, win this division.
My wife and I are making the trek from Houston to Atlanta for the weekend series. Unfortunately she's a Braves fan but it's also her birthday. We might be on separate flights on the way home. 😀
Regarding the questions asked of Frankie about attacking hitters more...I think we too often think control issues are related to nibbling and not attacking. Frankie has always been effectively wild. I'm sure he would love to limit pitch count every game, but the fact is that he doesn't have pinpoint control. This has nothing to do with approach, imo. Hence, he bristles a bit when asked about this.
Jung Ho Kang lifts a two-run double to left-center for ninth-inning insurance. -- GETTY
June 3, 2015
Coverage: Frankie the money man
by Dejan Kovacevic • Coverage • Pirates
BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC
SAN FRANCISCO — Quick: Name the highest-paid player in the Pirates’ history.
Need a hint?
OK, it’s the guy who did all this Wednesday — seven innings, one run, four hits, six strikeouts — in a 5-2 sinking of the Giants that brought a sweep of the World Series champs.
It’s also the guy who, ever since that two-inning touchdown against the Twins two weeks ago, has 29 strikeouts in 20 innings over three starts in which he’s allowed two total runs.
And the guy who, despite a deceiving 3.24 ERA, has held opponents to two or fewer runs in seven of his 11 starts.
Any wonder why ownership and management stepped up this winter to pay Francisco Liriano $39 million over three years to avoid losing him through free agency?
“Frankie’s been just tremendous for us,” Clint Hurdle said. “You look at the way he’s throwing the ball right now, the way he’s locating the fastball to both sides to set up that big back-door slider, and that’s the pitcher you expect. He’s been every bit of that.”
Every penny’s worth, too.
I didn’t have any worries about the Minnesota debacle. Liriano just didn’t have it. That happens. As Ray Searage told me that night, “You throw it right out.” But I did find it oddly unsettling that Liriano suddenly started striking everyone out and, for all the rush that brings, couldn’t stay efficient enough to last longer than six innings.
Strikeouts are wonderful, but bridging the gap to the back of the bullpen is better.
I asked Liriano if maybe he attacked the bat more in this one:
Can you tell he hates that question?
He hated it even more when I asked it in San Diego. But it strikes me as fair game that a starter’s top priority should be going deep.
Hurdle, it turns out, had it right last week at PNC Park: Liriano’s pattern is that he uses strikeouts to climb out of a bad place. It’s where he rebuilds his confidence. And once it’s back, he’ll reinstall the rest of his repertoire and look a whole lot more complete.
Duly noted.
At any rate, the signing of Liriano, one highly unusual for this franchise in actually outbidding other teams for an elite player on the open market, looks like a smart investment at this early stage. Gerrit Cole and A.J. Burnett have earned most of the accolades, and I use the word earned advisedly. But Liriano has been every bit as good as Burnett and almost as good as Cole.
• Oh, and hey, remember Cole talking last week about that spring premonition he made to this site back in spring training wherein he, Burnett and Liriano would be feared as a trio in a given series?
Well, they’re now 3 for 3 on that for sweeps: Diamondbacks on the road April 24-26, Mets at home May 22-24, and now this.
• It’s not that Jordy Mercer homered for the second time in less than 24 hours. It’s not even that these were his first two of the season.
It’s how hard he hit them.
The one Tuesday night landed eight rows up in the left-field bleachers, and the one in the fifth inning Wednesday that put the Pirates ahead, 2-1, landed 10 rows up.
It’s been a long, lousy start to the season for Mercer, but he’s now 10 for 27 — .370 — with two home runs and two walks in his past nine starts at shortstop. That’s partly why Hurdle sent him right back out there Wednesday.
“Look, Jordy played 149 games for us last season, more than anyone else,” Hurdle said. “He’s a good baseball player. And we’re going to stick by him. I liked the way he swung last night, and I wanted to give him another chance to have at it.”
Hurdle’s other reason for going with Mercer was Jung Ho Kang’s 0-for-14 skid. And then, of course, Kang lifted a two-run double in the seventh as a pinch-hitter.
It’s been a difficult couple weeks for Mercer, much as he’s tried to mask it. But the one constant has been his support of Kang, as well as vice versa. I asked Mercer about his visibly emotional reaction when Kang doubled:
“That guy,” Francisco Cervelli said of Mercer, “is a total professional.”
• Don’t know if they showed this on TV, but Kang’s double scored Cervelli and Mercer, but only after Cervelli played a small joke on Mercer by slowing down on the third base path. Mercer stopped just shy.
The two had quite the laugh about it on the way to the dugout:
Jordy Mercer and Francisco Cervelli score on Jung Ho Kang’s ninth-inning double. — GETTY
And no, for anyone concerned, there was no threat. The ball was on the warning track.
• Jose Tabata, the new Iron Man?
Um, no. But it just might have made a statement that he’s serious about this stint in the majors that he crashed face-first into the left-field fence while pursuing Tim Hudson’s double in the third inning, then, after needing three minutes to collect himself on the warning track, stayed in the game and smacked an RBI single in his next at-bat.
Given Tabata’s rocky history, especially with this stuff, it’s far too early to declare anything. But watching him on and off the field, there’s no doubt something’s different.
• The only real bummer came in the ninth, when Rob Scahill again struggled badly — three hits in four batters faced — and Hurdle had to summon Mark Melancon for the save after being clear in the morning he did not want to use his closer if he could avoid it.
• The Pirates are set to take off from SFO early this evening. They’ll have a free day in Atlanta, then get back to it Friday at Turner Field.
• I’m going home later tonight on the red-eye. Josh Yohe will cover the Braves series.