Looking ahead to first pitch …
Game: Pirates (54-40) vs. Washington Nationals (51-42), 7:05 p.m., PNC Park
Pitchers: LHP Francisco Liriano (5-6, 2.98) vs. RHP Doug Fister (3-5, 4.30)
TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan
Online: Gameday / Multimedia / Media notes
Update 5:22 p.m.: Many of the Pirates have made it clear through the media that they would welcome help before the trade deadline. A.J. Burnett said it at the All-Star Game. Andrew McCutchen did, too. Then came the Kansas City series, which saw a number of Pirates mention that they could use some help. Clint Hurdle doesn’t mind his players making such thoughts public — “Freedom of speech,” he said — but the manager didn’t sound horribly enthused by his players speaking of this topic publicly. “They’re not general managers,” Hurdle said. “They’re players. And they’re reminded of that.” … The Nationals are in town, and it’s difficult to forget what they did to the Pirates in Washington last month. They notched 14 hits against A.J. Burnett, the most he’s ever allowed in a game. They bludgeoned Charlie Morton, turning the final game of the series into a laugher before the first inning was complete. And then there was that whole no-hitter thing in the middle game of the series. Jose Tabata isn’t here any longer, but Max Scherzer is and pitches against Jeff Locke on Friday. On paper, this isn’t an easy matchup and recent history – and the way they’ve played recently – isn’t in the Pirates’ favor. “We’ll be ready to go,” Hurdle said. “I think we’ll be ready to get something done. We’re seeing Max again. We’re seeing Gio (Gonzalez) again. We didn’t have much success last time. We just need to be smart in the box.”… Hurdle was asked about McCutchen’s day off in Milwaukee, something that didn’t go over especially well with the fan base. The idea to give McCutchen a day off was strictly Hurdle’s, according to the manager. He said he considered giving McCutchen off the first game of the second half in Milwaukee, but that McCutchen balked at the idea. Hurdle also said McCutchen wasn’t given time off because of any lingering injuries. … Hurdle was also asked about the recent absences of Pedro Alvarez from the lineup. He was benched in favor of Travis Ishikawa in Kansas City. “Just trying to play the hot bat,” Hurdle said. … Liriano will start tonight for the first time in second half following his neck issue in Milwaukee.
7:14: Liriano looks healthy, as he athletically fields the first two ground balls of the game by himself. Then he strikes out Bryce Harper. Not a bad start.
7:15: By the way, Huntington will speak in a few minutes about the trade that has brought Aramis Ramirez back to Pittsburgh. Will have an update.
7:23: Pirates, 1-0, 1st. It’s a trip, trip, triple for Starling Marte, and McCutchen scores.
7:35: Pirates, 2-0, 2nd. Alvarez homers for the first time since July 5. Oppo shot into the bleachers.
8:12: That’s nine Ks for Liriano through four innings. Slider is exceptional tonight.
8:29: Pirates, 2-1, 2nd. Two wild pitches have helped the Nats score. Liriano is sitting on 10 Ks but still in trouble with a man on third and one out.
8:36: Liriano escapes the jam. He’s got 11 Ks through five innings. But he’s thrown 90 pitches.
8:45: Pirates, 4-1, 5th. Jung Ho Kang’s RBI double scores Marte and Alvarez’s softly hit grounder scores Kang. I’ve mentioned this a few times this season and will continue to do so: Kang is a wonderful base runner. Just superb.
8:55: What a pretty double play turned by Kang, who made two excellent plays that inning. Is this guy any good?
9:19: Pirates, 6-1, 7th: A no-doubter from Cutch into the center field seats. Crushed it. That’s his 13th and his 600th career run.
9:42: Pirates, 7-1, 8th: Francisco Cervelli with an impressive homer to center. Home sweet home.
Jaff Decker was 1 for 6 in the Kansas City series that followed his recall. — GETTY
July 23, 2015
Final: Pirates 7, Nationals 3
by Josh Yohe • Game previews
Looking ahead to first pitch …
Game: Pirates (54-40) vs. Washington Nationals (51-42), 7:05 p.m., PNC Park
Pitchers: LHP Francisco Liriano (5-6, 2.98) vs. RHP Doug Fister (3-5, 4.30)
TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan
Online: Gameday / Multimedia / Media notes
Update 5:22 p.m.: Many of the Pirates have made it clear through the media that they would welcome help before the trade deadline. A.J. Burnett said it at the All-Star Game. Andrew McCutchen did, too. Then came the Kansas City series, which saw a number of Pirates mention that they could use some help. Clint Hurdle doesn’t mind his players making such thoughts public — “Freedom of speech,” he said — but the manager didn’t sound horribly enthused by his players speaking of this topic publicly. “They’re not general managers,” Hurdle said. “They’re players. And they’re reminded of that.” … The Nationals are in town, and it’s difficult to forget what they did to the Pirates in Washington last month. They notched 14 hits against A.J. Burnett, the most he’s ever allowed in a game. They bludgeoned Charlie Morton, turning the final game of the series into a laugher before the first inning was complete. And then there was that whole no-hitter thing in the middle game of the series. Jose Tabata isn’t here any longer, but Max Scherzer is and pitches against Jeff Locke on Friday. On paper, this isn’t an easy matchup and recent history – and the way they’ve played recently – isn’t in the Pirates’ favor. “We’ll be ready to go,” Hurdle said. “I think we’ll be ready to get something done. We’re seeing Max again. We’re seeing Gio (Gonzalez) again. We didn’t have much success last time. We just need to be smart in the box.”… Hurdle was asked about McCutchen’s day off in Milwaukee, something that didn’t go over especially well with the fan base. The idea to give McCutchen a day off was strictly Hurdle’s, according to the manager. He said he considered giving McCutchen off the first game of the second half in Milwaukee, but that McCutchen balked at the idea. Hurdle also said McCutchen wasn’t given time off because of any lingering injuries. … Hurdle was also asked about the recent absences of Pedro Alvarez from the lineup. He was benched in favor of Travis Ishikawa in Kansas City. “Just trying to play the hot bat,” Hurdle said. … Liriano will start tonight for the first time in second half following his neck issue in Milwaukee.
7:14: Liriano looks healthy, as he athletically fields the first two ground balls of the game by himself. Then he strikes out Bryce Harper. Not a bad start.
7:15: By the way, Huntington will speak in a few minutes about the trade that has brought Aramis Ramirez back to Pittsburgh. Will have an update.
7:23: Pirates, 1-0, 1st. It’s a trip, trip, triple for Starling Marte, and McCutchen scores.
7:35: Pirates, 2-0, 2nd. Alvarez homers for the first time since July 5. Oppo shot into the bleachers.
8:12: That’s nine Ks for Liriano through four innings. Slider is exceptional tonight.
8:29: Pirates, 2-1, 2nd. Two wild pitches have helped the Nats score. Liriano is sitting on 10 Ks but still in trouble with a man on third and one out.
8:36: Liriano escapes the jam. He’s got 11 Ks through five innings. But he’s thrown 90 pitches.
8:45: Pirates, 4-1, 5th. Jung Ho Kang’s RBI double scores Marte and Alvarez’s softly hit grounder scores Kang. I’ve mentioned this a few times this season and will continue to do so: Kang is a wonderful base runner. Just superb.
8:55: What a pretty double play turned by Kang, who made two excellent plays that inning. Is this guy any good?
9:19: Pirates, 6-1, 7th: A no-doubter from Cutch into the center field seats. Crushed it. That’s his 13th and his 600th career run.
9:42: Pirates, 7-1, 8th: Francisco Cervelli with an impressive homer to center. Home sweet home.
Jaff Decker was 1 for 6 in the Kansas City series that followed his recall. — GETTY