BY JOSH YOHE
Getting ready for first pitch …
Game: Pirates (33-27) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (22-40), 4:05 p.m., PNC Park
Pitchers: RHP Gerrit Cole (9-2, 1.73) vs. RHP Sean O’Sullivan (1-4, 4.96)
TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan
Online: Gameday / Multimedia / Media notes
Pregame notes 2:50 p.m.: It’s no secret that the Pirates’ defense has largely struggled this season. There were some gems, however, in Friday night’s victory and Clint Hurdle is hopeful that his team has turned a corner. He also made something passionately clear: He will continue to make sure his best defensive players are on the field late in close games, even if that means sitting Pedro Alvarez. Sean Rodriguez has been a frequent replacement for Alvarez late in games. That will continue. “I want my best defensive team out there,” Hurdle said. “I’m not going to argue about it. His ability to play at first was one of the reasons we got Sean. He’s a good defender anywhere he plays. He’s got great hands. He plays with as slow a heartbeat with a glove on his hand as anyone I’ve ever had.” … Hurdle said Rodriguez, along with being the team’s fourth best defensive outfielder, is capable of playing any of the four infield positions. He’s also the team’s emergency catcher. The Pirates used Chris Stewart as a pinch-hitter last night. Had the game continued, who would have played first base had an injury to Francisco Cervelli forced Rodriguez to catch? Hurdle said either A.J. Burnett or Charlie Morton would have gotten the call in such a scenario. Gerrit Cole, who may have been the preferred choice had a starting pitcher been forced onto the field, was sent home early on Friday night because he is today’s starting pitcher…Speaking of good defense, Hurdle is thrilled with the recent defensive work of Jordy Mercer. He’s not in the lineup today, but that’s a reflection of his struggles at the plate. “Jordy Mercer played one of the best games at shortstop that you’ll ever see if you were watching,” Hurdle said. … Hurdle is delighted with the recent work of Antonio Bastardo. The lefty struggled most of the season, but Hurdle believes he has turned a corner. “I said earlier that I thought he was getting closer and closer,” Hurdle said. “Those last two outings in Atlanta were his best all year. The fastball velocity, the movement, the swings and misses, are all there. I do believe he is trending upward.”… The Pirates are ordinarily here around four hours before first pitch. However, because of last night’s late ending – the game concluded at 1:05 a.m. – Hurdle didn’t require his players to check in at PNC Park until 2:30 p.m., only 95 minutes before first pitch. “We spend a lot of time here,” he said. “I like to mix it up, let them know that they don’t have to be a slave to routine.” … The only member of the bullpen who absolutely isn’t available today, according to Hurdle, is Rob Scahill.
Gerrit Cole is averaging 9.92 strikeouts per nine innings. — GETTY
June 13, 2015
Pregame notes: Pirates-Phillies
173by Josh Yohe • Game previews • Pirates
BY JOSH YOHE
Getting ready for first pitch …
Game: Pirates (33-27) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (22-40), 4:05 p.m., PNC Park
Pitchers: RHP Gerrit Cole (9-2, 1.73) vs. RHP Sean O’Sullivan (1-4, 4.96)
TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan
Online: Gameday / Multimedia / Media notes
Pregame notes 2:50 p.m.: It’s no secret that the Pirates’ defense has largely struggled this season. There were some gems, however, in Friday night’s victory and Clint Hurdle is hopeful that his team has turned a corner. He also made something passionately clear: He will continue to make sure his best defensive players are on the field late in close games, even if that means sitting Pedro Alvarez. Sean Rodriguez has been a frequent replacement for Alvarez late in games. That will continue. “I want my best defensive team out there,” Hurdle said. “I’m not going to argue about it. His ability to play at first was one of the reasons we got Sean. He’s a good defender anywhere he plays. He’s got great hands. He plays with as slow a heartbeat with a glove on his hand as anyone I’ve ever had.” … Hurdle said Rodriguez, along with being the team’s fourth best defensive outfielder, is capable of playing any of the four infield positions. He’s also the team’s emergency catcher. The Pirates used Chris Stewart as a pinch-hitter last night. Had the game continued, who would have played first base had an injury to Francisco Cervelli forced Rodriguez to catch? Hurdle said either A.J. Burnett or Charlie Morton would have gotten the call in such a scenario. Gerrit Cole, who may have been the preferred choice had a starting pitcher been forced onto the field, was sent home early on Friday night because he is today’s starting pitcher…Speaking of good defense, Hurdle is thrilled with the recent defensive work of Jordy Mercer. He’s not in the lineup today, but that’s a reflection of his struggles at the plate. “Jordy Mercer played one of the best games at shortstop that you’ll ever see if you were watching,” Hurdle said. … Hurdle is delighted with the recent work of Antonio Bastardo. The lefty struggled most of the season, but Hurdle believes he has turned a corner. “I said earlier that I thought he was getting closer and closer,” Hurdle said. “Those last two outings in Atlanta were his best all year. The fastball velocity, the movement, the swings and misses, are all there. I do believe he is trending upward.”… The Pirates are ordinarily here around four hours before first pitch. However, because of last night’s late ending – the game concluded at 1:05 a.m. – Hurdle didn’t require his players to check in at PNC Park until 2:30 p.m., only 95 minutes before first pitch. “We spend a lot of time here,” he said. “I like to mix it up, let them know that they don’t have to be a slave to routine.” … The only member of the bullpen who absolutely isn’t available today, according to Hurdle, is Rob Scahill.
Gerrit Cole is averaging 9.92 strikeouts per nine innings. — GETTY
Share this: