WASHINGTON — Getting ready for the first pitch …
Game: Pirates (39-29) vs. Washington Nationals (36-33), 1:35 p.m., Nationals Park
Pitchers: RHP Charlie Morton (5-0, 1.62) vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez (4-4, 4.82)
TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan
Online: Gameday / Multimedia / Media notes
Pregame notes 12:20 p.m.: Clint Hurdle is not pleased with the criticism being fired at Jose Tabata from the baseball world. The HBP heard ’round the world, Hurdle again insisted on Sunday, was perfectly fine. Tabata is in the lineup, and Hurdle was asked if Tabata will receive extra attention from the Nationals or their fans. “We’ve moved on,” Hurdle said. “What for?” Hurdle was reminded that the fan base in Washington was upset with Tabata not doing a better job of moving his arm away from Max Scherzer’s pitch. “That’s fans being fans,” Hurdle said. “Watch the videotape. Play the game. Take it however you want. Watch the tape. Watch the game. We try to create drama sometimes. It can get created off the field. I’m not surprised by it at all. Fans are fans. I appreciate fans. Everyone might have a thought or an opinion. Just watch the game. We live in a very reactive society.” … If there is any discontent between the Pirates and Nationals, it certainly doesn’t exist between Hurdle and Scherzer. Before Sunday’s game, Hurdle approached Scherzer with a copy of the Pirates’ lineup card from Saturday, in case he’d like it for his collection. Scherzer said he didn’t need it because he already has many collectibles from yesterday. But Hurdle and Scherzer developed an even better idea: Scherzer happily signed both lineup cards — Nationals manager Matt Williams signed one, Hurdle the other — and Hurdle said he will donate them to charity. … Neil Walker is out of the lineup again though he was in good spirits this morning. Hurdle said he didn’t intend on playing Walker against lefty Gio Gonzalez before the series began. Walker has been ill for a few days. … Hurdle noted that the All-Star Game isn’t far away and suggested as many as seven Pirates are legitimate candidates to play in Cincinnati. He named Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte, Francisco Cervelli, Tony Watson, Mark Melancon, Gerrit Cole and A.J. Burnett as players he believes are deserving of the honor. He made particular note of Burnett, 38, who has never played in the Midsummer Classic. … Hurdle said he expects the Pirates to rebound nicely from Scherzer’s no-hitter. Things won’t get easier, as they’ll face Johnny Cueto on Tuesday. “There’s no hangover here,” Hurdle said. “We’re ready to go.”… Bryce Harper looked likely to miss the entire series against the Pirates after sustaining a hamstring injury on Thursday. After missing Friday’s game, he returned with a vengeance, hitting a long home run against a Francisco Liriano slider. “He’s having some kind of year,” Hurdle said. “Career-high total of home runs on June 20. Wow.”
The Nationals’ Bryce Harper, 22, has 23 home runs. — GETTY
June 21, 2015
Final: Nationals 9, Pirates 2
by Josh Yohe • Game previews
WASHINGTON — Getting ready for the first pitch …
Game: Pirates (39-29) vs. Washington Nationals (36-33), 1:35 p.m., Nationals Park
Pitchers: RHP Charlie Morton (5-0, 1.62) vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez (4-4, 4.82)
TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan
Online: Gameday / Multimedia / Media notes
Pregame notes 12:20 p.m.: Clint Hurdle is not pleased with the criticism being fired at Jose Tabata from the baseball world. The HBP heard ’round the world, Hurdle again insisted on Sunday, was perfectly fine. Tabata is in the lineup, and Hurdle was asked if Tabata will receive extra attention from the Nationals or their fans. “We’ve moved on,” Hurdle said. “What for?” Hurdle was reminded that the fan base in Washington was upset with Tabata not doing a better job of moving his arm away from Max Scherzer’s pitch. “That’s fans being fans,” Hurdle said. “Watch the videotape. Play the game. Take it however you want. Watch the tape. Watch the game. We try to create drama sometimes. It can get created off the field. I’m not surprised by it at all. Fans are fans. I appreciate fans. Everyone might have a thought or an opinion. Just watch the game. We live in a very reactive society.” … If there is any discontent between the Pirates and Nationals, it certainly doesn’t exist between Hurdle and Scherzer. Before Sunday’s game, Hurdle approached Scherzer with a copy of the Pirates’ lineup card from Saturday, in case he’d like it for his collection. Scherzer said he didn’t need it because he already has many collectibles from yesterday. But Hurdle and Scherzer developed an even better idea: Scherzer happily signed both lineup cards — Nationals manager Matt Williams signed one, Hurdle the other — and Hurdle said he will donate them to charity. … Neil Walker is out of the lineup again though he was in good spirits this morning. Hurdle said he didn’t intend on playing Walker against lefty Gio Gonzalez before the series began. Walker has been ill for a few days. … Hurdle noted that the All-Star Game isn’t far away and suggested as many as seven Pirates are legitimate candidates to play in Cincinnati. He named Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte, Francisco Cervelli, Tony Watson, Mark Melancon, Gerrit Cole and A.J. Burnett as players he believes are deserving of the honor. He made particular note of Burnett, 38, who has never played in the Midsummer Classic. … Hurdle said he expects the Pirates to rebound nicely from Scherzer’s no-hitter. Things won’t get easier, as they’ll face Johnny Cueto on Tuesday. “There’s no hangover here,” Hurdle said. “We’re ready to go.”… Bryce Harper looked likely to miss the entire series against the Pirates after sustaining a hamstring injury on Thursday. After missing Friday’s game, he returned with a vengeance, hitting a long home run against a Francisco Liriano slider. “He’s having some kind of year,” Hurdle said. “Career-high total of home runs on June 20. Wow.”
The Nationals’ Bryce Harper, 22, has 23 home runs. — GETTY