Four hours to first pitch …
Game: Pirates (46-34) vs. Cleveland Indians (38-42), 1:35 p.m., PNC Park
Pitchers: RHP Gerrit Cole (11-3, 2.20) vs. RHP Danny Salazar (7-3, 3.80)
TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan
Online: Gameday / Multimedia / Media notes
Pregame notes 11:55 a.m.: Quiet clubhouse this morning, but the Pirates seemed more refreshed than bleary-eyed. Needless to say yesterday’s combination of a 4:05 p.m. first pitch and the Jeff Locke-propelled 2:06 game length was welcomed after several recent days stretched out by extra innings, rain delays or both. “We’ve had some long games lately,” Jordy Mercer said, “so a short one is really nice.” … Tony Watson was looking particularly well-rested while chatting with locker neighbor Jared Hughes. Watson was ready to go yesterday if needed, but said he was more than happy to let Locke handle the eighth inning. As one might expect for a pitcher who has to be ready to rev up at a moment’s notice, he would welcome a few straight games not affected by precipitation. “Rain delays are the worst,” Watson said, “but you can’t worry about it.” … No one’s complaining about weather today, as it’s brilliantly sunny Downtown, with season-ticket holders invited onto the field before batting practice to get photos and autographs with players and coaches. Just some clouds in the forecast for the afternoon. … Gregory Polanco out of the starting lineup despite the Pirates facing a right-hander in Salazar; Josh Harrison is in right field. Clint Hurdle cited Salazar’s “reverse splits” for sitting Polanco, although Pedro Alvarez will start and bat sixth. In his three-year MLB career, the 25-year-old Salazar has allowed right-handed batters to hit for a .742 OPS, compared to .678 for lefties. “Just trying to win the game,” Hurdle said. “This is what the matchups tell us.” … Jung Ho Kang is back at third base today and batting fifth, his first start since Thursday. “We don’t want to ice him too much,” Hurdle said. The manager lauded Kang for his ability to make pitchers work, although his approach at the plate can appear inconsistent. “He’ll take some swings that make you say, ‘What the … ?’ but there’s no hangover effect on the next swing.” … More from Hurdle on Locke’s outstanding eight-inning start, during which he threw 60 of 89 pitches for strikes: “Yesterday was the day it all fell into place. He was aggressive with all three pitches – fastball, changeup, curveball. His stubbornness paid off. You never know how close you might be until you give it one more try.”
1:36 p.m.: First pitch from Cole to Jason Kipnis is a ball. 80 degrees at game time, slight breeze blowing in from center field. Looks like another sellout crowd, and it’s a very responsive one right from the start. Maybe having some Clevelanders in the house raises the intensity?
1:57: Indians on top, 1-0 in the second. After Cole induced a double play to erase a baserunner, Michael Bourn lines an RBI single off the tip of Alvarez’s glove. The Ohioans in the stands make themselves heard.
2:01: Roberto Perez grounds a 3-2 off-speed pitch from Cole just past a reaching Kang at third. Bourn, who had stolen second and taken third on Chris Stewart‘s throwing error, scores to make it 2-0 Cleveland.
2:08: Well, then. Salazar has fanned four through two innings, including Starling Marte, Kang and Alvarez in succession to close out the second. A firm fastball that touches 97 mph has been Salazar’s signature so far.
2:14: 3-0, Tribe. Kipnis stroked a leadoff double, Francisco Lindor bunted him over and Michael Brantley drove him in with a flared single to left. Cole was partially a victim of luck in the second, but Indians are getting good swings in the third.
2:28: That fizzled in a hurry. Mercer walked and Stewart singled to start the third, but Cole bunted into a force play and Harrison struck out chasing a breaking ball. Neil Walker hoped to salvage something, but Stewart was caught wandering way too far off second base by Indians catcher Perez, who gunned his positional counterpart out.
2:42: Marte swings and misses, then grabs his left side. Athletic trainer Todd Tomczyk and Hurdle check on him, but Marte stays in for a couple more pitches. Then he takes himself out of the game. Polanco in to pinch hit and he grounds out to end the fourth.
2:53: Cole has retired seven in a row as we reach the game’s midway point. However, Salazar has fanned seven, all swinging, and has permitted just two baserunners. Still 3-0 Cleveland.
3:05: Everything is happening! Alvarez sends an opposite-field two-run shot over the Notch to pull the Pirates within 3-2. And the team announced it has claimed Travis Ishikawa from the Giants via waivers. And Stewart was called out on a grounder to short, but replay challenge overturns the call.
3:09: Walker. Line drive. Tied at 3. Andrew McCutchen to the plate with two on and two out.
3:10: Cutch happened. He slams a center-cut changeup off the bullpen fence, scoring Harrison and Walker to put the Pirates up 5-3. Salazar is stunningly done after dominating the first four innings. He allows five runs on six hits in the fifth.
3:31: Sparkling diving stop by Alvarez to start the seventh, maybe his best play since moving to first? Cole has shifted into ace mode, retiring 13 straight Indians as we hit the stretch. Gets Bourn looking for his fifth strikeout to close the frame.
3:54: As Terry Francona tests his double-switch skills, the Pirates announce that Marte left the game with “discomfort in his side” and will be medically evaluated Monday.
4:02: For a half-inning that didn’t produce any runs, that bottom of the seventh sure lasted a while. Polanco grounded out with the bases loaded to end the rally, which consisted of an error and two walks. Three Indians pitchers threw to six batters.
4:11: Remember when Cole didn’t have his best earlier? He just touched 100 mph in a 1-2-3 eighth inning. The ninth sellout congregation of the season recognizes the excellent recovery. One day after Locke retired 19 straight, Cole puts up a streak of 16 in a row. Three outs to get for the Pirates.
4:29: The holiday weekend at PNC Park ends with Mark Melancon striking out Brandon Moss with a curveball in the dirt. Pirates come back to take the series. Coverage coming soon …
Clint Hurdle acknowledges fans watching the pregame workout from field level. -- MATT GAJTKA
July 5, 2015
Final: Pirates 5, Indians 3
by Matt Gajtka • Game previews
Four hours to first pitch …
Game: Pirates (46-34) vs. Cleveland Indians (38-42), 1:35 p.m., PNC Park
Pitchers: RHP Gerrit Cole (11-3, 2.20) vs. RHP Danny Salazar (7-3, 3.80)
TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan
Online: Gameday / Multimedia / Media notes
Pregame notes 11:55 a.m.: Quiet clubhouse this morning, but the Pirates seemed more refreshed than bleary-eyed. Needless to say yesterday’s combination of a 4:05 p.m. first pitch and the Jeff Locke-propelled 2:06 game length was welcomed after several recent days stretched out by extra innings, rain delays or both. “We’ve had some long games lately,” Jordy Mercer said, “so a short one is really nice.” … Tony Watson was looking particularly well-rested while chatting with locker neighbor Jared Hughes. Watson was ready to go yesterday if needed, but said he was more than happy to let Locke handle the eighth inning. As one might expect for a pitcher who has to be ready to rev up at a moment’s notice, he would welcome a few straight games not affected by precipitation. “Rain delays are the worst,” Watson said, “but you can’t worry about it.” … No one’s complaining about weather today, as it’s brilliantly sunny Downtown, with season-ticket holders invited onto the field before batting practice to get photos and autographs with players and coaches. Just some clouds in the forecast for the afternoon. … Gregory Polanco out of the starting lineup despite the Pirates facing a right-hander in Salazar; Josh Harrison is in right field. Clint Hurdle cited Salazar’s “reverse splits” for sitting Polanco, although Pedro Alvarez will start and bat sixth. In his three-year MLB career, the 25-year-old Salazar has allowed right-handed batters to hit for a .742 OPS, compared to .678 for lefties. “Just trying to win the game,” Hurdle said. “This is what the matchups tell us.” … Jung Ho Kang is back at third base today and batting fifth, his first start since Thursday. “We don’t want to ice him too much,” Hurdle said. The manager lauded Kang for his ability to make pitchers work, although his approach at the plate can appear inconsistent. “He’ll take some swings that make you say, ‘What the … ?’ but there’s no hangover effect on the next swing.” … More from Hurdle on Locke’s outstanding eight-inning start, during which he threw 60 of 89 pitches for strikes: “Yesterday was the day it all fell into place. He was aggressive with all three pitches – fastball, changeup, curveball. His stubbornness paid off. You never know how close you might be until you give it one more try.”
1:36 p.m.: First pitch from Cole to Jason Kipnis is a ball. 80 degrees at game time, slight breeze blowing in from center field. Looks like another sellout crowd, and it’s a very responsive one right from the start. Maybe having some Clevelanders in the house raises the intensity?
1:57: Indians on top, 1-0 in the second. After Cole induced a double play to erase a baserunner, Michael Bourn lines an RBI single off the tip of Alvarez’s glove. The Ohioans in the stands make themselves heard.
2:01: Roberto Perez grounds a 3-2 off-speed pitch from Cole just past a reaching Kang at third. Bourn, who had stolen second and taken third on Chris Stewart‘s throwing error, scores to make it 2-0 Cleveland.
2:08: Well, then. Salazar has fanned four through two innings, including Starling Marte, Kang and Alvarez in succession to close out the second. A firm fastball that touches 97 mph has been Salazar’s signature so far.
2:14: 3-0, Tribe. Kipnis stroked a leadoff double, Francisco Lindor bunted him over and Michael Brantley drove him in with a flared single to left. Cole was partially a victim of luck in the second, but Indians are getting good swings in the third.
2:28: That fizzled in a hurry. Mercer walked and Stewart singled to start the third, but Cole bunted into a force play and Harrison struck out chasing a breaking ball. Neil Walker hoped to salvage something, but Stewart was caught wandering way too far off second base by Indians catcher Perez, who gunned his positional counterpart out.
2:42: Marte swings and misses, then grabs his left side. Athletic trainer Todd Tomczyk and Hurdle check on him, but Marte stays in for a couple more pitches. Then he takes himself out of the game. Polanco in to pinch hit and he grounds out to end the fourth.
2:53: Cole has retired seven in a row as we reach the game’s midway point. However, Salazar has fanned seven, all swinging, and has permitted just two baserunners. Still 3-0 Cleveland.
3:05: Everything is happening! Alvarez sends an opposite-field two-run shot over the Notch to pull the Pirates within 3-2. And the team announced it has claimed Travis Ishikawa from the Giants via waivers. And Stewart was called out on a grounder to short, but replay challenge overturns the call.
3:09: Walker. Line drive. Tied at 3. Andrew McCutchen to the plate with two on and two out.
3:10: Cutch happened. He slams a center-cut changeup off the bullpen fence, scoring Harrison and Walker to put the Pirates up 5-3. Salazar is stunningly done after dominating the first four innings. He allows five runs on six hits in the fifth.
3:31: Sparkling diving stop by Alvarez to start the seventh, maybe his best play since moving to first? Cole has shifted into ace mode, retiring 13 straight Indians as we hit the stretch. Gets Bourn looking for his fifth strikeout to close the frame.
3:54: As Terry Francona tests his double-switch skills, the Pirates announce that Marte left the game with “discomfort in his side” and will be medically evaluated Monday.
4:02: For a half-inning that didn’t produce any runs, that bottom of the seventh sure lasted a while. Polanco grounded out with the bases loaded to end the rally, which consisted of an error and two walks. Three Indians pitchers threw to six batters.
4:11: Remember when Cole didn’t have his best earlier? He just touched 100 mph in a 1-2-3 eighth inning. The ninth sellout congregation of the season recognizes the excellent recovery. One day after Locke retired 19 straight, Cole puts up a streak of 16 in a row. Three outs to get for the Pirates.
4:29: The holiday weekend at PNC Park ends with Mark Melancon striking out Brandon Moss with a curveball in the dirt. Pirates come back to take the series. Coverage coming soon …