NEW YORK — Looking ahead to first pitch …
Game: Pirates (68-46) vs. New York Mets (63-54), 1:10 p.m., Citi Field
Pitchers: LHP Jeff Locke (6-7, 4.43) vs. RHP Matt Harvey (11-7, 2.61)
TV, radio: Root Sports (local), TBS (national), 93.7 The Fan
Online: Gameday | Multimedia | Media notes
Update 9:10 a.m.: Because of the back-to-back extra-inning games, Clint Hurdle is allowing players to report to the stadium a good bit later than usual, around 10:30 a.m. As a result, the pregame notes also will be a good bit later than usual. … One remnant from late last night: Starling Marte assured me his left hand is ‘fine’ after he made that surprising entry into the game after Hurdle had all but declared him out. In all candor here, I don’t believe him. At all. And at the same time, I wouldn’t surprised if he starts today. At all.
11:05: Yep He’s in and batting second. More in a bit.
Pregame notes 12:17 p.m.: Neal Huntington said on his radio show today on 93.7 The Fan that the Pirates have reached out to the representatives of former outfielder Travis Snider. Snyder was released by the Orioles this weekend. “Travis played very well for us when he was here,” Huntington said. “So obviously we’d have interest.” Snider wasn’t great for the Orioles, but his .237/.318/.659 line already makes him more attractive than, say, Travis Ishikawa. Also, Snider was prone to slumps and streaks, and the Pirates undoubtedly feel like they’d have the answers for any issues. … A deep start by Locke undoubtedly would be appreciated by all concerned. Mark Melancon has pitched three days in a row and won’t be used today. Joe Blanton also is unavailable. … The Pirates are going for their 13th sweep. Their 12 lead the majors. They haven’t swept in New York since 2004. … Pedro Florimon is starting at short for the first time since July 24 as Hurdle spells Jung Ho Kang. … Andrew McCutchen is getting a day, too. All very much expected and, actually, probably a little overdue given all the extra innings recently.
1:12: First pitch, Harvey to Gregory Polanco, 85 degrees, a bit cloudy.
1:33: Locke doesn’t look good, at least not in the first inning. Stranded runners at the corners by getting Daniel Murphy to pop up, but never attacked Murphy inside, as other Pirates have this weekend.
1:37: Pirates, 1-0, 2nd. Pedro Alvarez’s 18th home run goes out to center field to lead off. That snaps Harvey’s scoreless streak at 16 innings. Pitch was up and over the outer half, but Alvarez got full extension, full barrel. Nicely done.
1:47: Mets, 1-1, 2nd. Travis d’Arnaud homers to left. Locke went inner half. D’Arnaud turned on it. We’re tied.
2:39: Polanco’s triple off the fence in center extends his hitting streak to 10. He just looks unstoppable at the moment.
2:41: Alas, he’s stranded at third when Marte whiffs to end the fifth.
3:10: Whoa! Mega-thundercrack here, and the umps immediately waved everyone off the field. Wild scene. Don’t recall seeing something like this before. Just boom, and bye-bye!
The Mets’ mascot urges all fans to take cover in the concourses until the storm passes. — GETTY
3:30: Tarp coming off. Clearing up. Doomsday averted. Except for Locke, who was pulled by Hurdle moments before the end of the world struck.
3:37: First pitch of resumption is scheduled for 3:50 p.m., it’s announced here in the press box. I’ll be surprised if it’s that quick. Lines around home plate need re-chalked. Grounds crew has puddles to clear, too, in the shallow outfield.
3:50: Arquimedes Caminero on the mound, warming up.
3:52: We’re back.
3:55: Snowman strands both of Locke’s runners with a 99-mph swinging K and a groundout right into a perfectly planned shift.
3:58: No idea why the Mets are using Bobby Parnell here. All of his numbers are bad. All of them. Wow.
3:59: And hey, he walks Florimon, and the boos come. Apparently, the citizens know.
4:01: Good gravy. Pinch-hitter Michael Morse hands him a 1-6-3 double play … and Parnell throws the ball into center field because neither infielder caught the ball Bizarre. Runners at the corners for, of all people, Polanco.
4:02: Pirates, 2-1, 7th. Polanco rips it up the middle. Of course.
4:03: Pirates, 3-1, 7th. Passed ball charged to d’Arnaud. Parnell isn’t very good, but most of this isn’t his fault.
4:10: And now a walk to Neil Walker. Two aboard for Aramis Ramirez.
4:11: Pirates, 4-1, 7th. Single through the left side. Horrendous throw to the plate. Man, the Mets sure haven’t looked like a first-place team this weekend.
4:16: Pirates, 5-1, 7th. Alvarez bloops a single into left, Ramirez trots home. This one was off Eric O’Flaherty after Parnell was booed all the way to the dugout.
4:17: How in heck is this New York team in first place? Serious question.
Serious answer: Bad division. The Mets are 3-17 against the Pirates, Cardinals and Cubs.
4:42: Pirates, 6-1, 8th. Marte beats out an infield RBI single. Only the planes passing overhead are watching this now.
4:46: Pirates, 8-1, 8th. Ramirez launches a two-run double off the fence in center.
Starling Marte slides into third with a third-inning triple Sunday. -- GETTY
August 16, 2015
Final: Pirates 8, Mets 1
454by Dejan Kovacevic • Game previews • Pirates
NEW YORK — Looking ahead to first pitch …
Game: Pirates (68-46) vs. New York Mets (63-54), 1:10 p.m., Citi Field
Pitchers: LHP Jeff Locke (6-7, 4.43) vs. RHP Matt Harvey (11-7, 2.61)
TV, radio: Root Sports (local), TBS (national), 93.7 The Fan
Online: Gameday | Multimedia | Media notes
Update 9:10 a.m.: Because of the back-to-back extra-inning games, Clint Hurdle is allowing players to report to the stadium a good bit later than usual, around 10:30 a.m. As a result, the pregame notes also will be a good bit later than usual. … One remnant from late last night: Starling Marte assured me his left hand is ‘fine’ after he made that surprising entry into the game after Hurdle had all but declared him out. In all candor here, I don’t believe him. At all. And at the same time, I wouldn’t surprised if he starts today. At all.
11:05: Yep He’s in and batting second. More in a bit.
Pregame notes 12:17 p.m.: Neal Huntington said on his radio show today on 93.7 The Fan that the Pirates have reached out to the representatives of former outfielder Travis Snider. Snyder was released by the Orioles this weekend. “Travis played very well for us when he was here,” Huntington said. “So obviously we’d have interest.” Snider wasn’t great for the Orioles, but his .237/.318/.659 line already makes him more attractive than, say, Travis Ishikawa. Also, Snider was prone to slumps and streaks, and the Pirates undoubtedly feel like they’d have the answers for any issues. … A deep start by Locke undoubtedly would be appreciated by all concerned. Mark Melancon has pitched three days in a row and won’t be used today. Joe Blanton also is unavailable. … The Pirates are going for their 13th sweep. Their 12 lead the majors. They haven’t swept in New York since 2004. … Pedro Florimon is starting at short for the first time since July 24 as Hurdle spells Jung Ho Kang. … Andrew McCutchen is getting a day, too. All very much expected and, actually, probably a little overdue given all the extra innings recently.
1:12: First pitch, Harvey to Gregory Polanco, 85 degrees, a bit cloudy.
1:33: Locke doesn’t look good, at least not in the first inning. Stranded runners at the corners by getting Daniel Murphy to pop up, but never attacked Murphy inside, as other Pirates have this weekend.
1:37: Pirates, 1-0, 2nd. Pedro Alvarez’s 18th home run goes out to center field to lead off. That snaps Harvey’s scoreless streak at 16 innings. Pitch was up and over the outer half, but Alvarez got full extension, full barrel. Nicely done.
1:47: Mets, 1-1, 2nd. Travis d’Arnaud homers to left. Locke went inner half. D’Arnaud turned on it. We’re tied.
2:39: Polanco’s triple off the fence in center extends his hitting streak to 10. He just looks unstoppable at the moment.
2:41: Alas, he’s stranded at third when Marte whiffs to end the fifth.
3:10: Whoa! Mega-thundercrack here, and the umps immediately waved everyone off the field. Wild scene. Don’t recall seeing something like this before. Just boom, and bye-bye!
The Mets’ mascot urges all fans to take cover in the concourses until the storm passes. — GETTY
3:30: Tarp coming off. Clearing up. Doomsday averted. Except for Locke, who was pulled by Hurdle moments before the end of the world struck.
3:37: First pitch of resumption is scheduled for 3:50 p.m., it’s announced here in the press box. I’ll be surprised if it’s that quick. Lines around home plate need re-chalked. Grounds crew has puddles to clear, too, in the shallow outfield.
3:50: Arquimedes Caminero on the mound, warming up.
3:52: We’re back.
3:55: Snowman strands both of Locke’s runners with a 99-mph swinging K and a groundout right into a perfectly planned shift.
3:58: No idea why the Mets are using Bobby Parnell here. All of his numbers are bad. All of them. Wow.
3:59: And hey, he walks Florimon, and the boos come. Apparently, the citizens know.
4:01: Good gravy. Pinch-hitter Michael Morse hands him a 1-6-3 double play … and Parnell throws the ball into center field because neither infielder caught the ball Bizarre. Runners at the corners for, of all people, Polanco.
4:02: Pirates, 2-1, 7th. Polanco rips it up the middle. Of course.
4:03: Pirates, 3-1, 7th. Passed ball charged to d’Arnaud. Parnell isn’t very good, but most of this isn’t his fault.
4:10: And now a walk to Neil Walker. Two aboard for Aramis Ramirez.
4:11: Pirates, 4-1, 7th. Single through the left side. Horrendous throw to the plate. Man, the Mets sure haven’t looked like a first-place team this weekend.
4:16: Pirates, 5-1, 7th. Alvarez bloops a single into left, Ramirez trots home. This one was off Eric O’Flaherty after Parnell was booed all the way to the dugout.
4:17: How in heck is this New York team in first place? Serious question.
Serious answer: Bad division. The Mets are 3-17 against the Pirates, Cardinals and Cubs.
4:42: Pirates, 6-1, 8th. Marte beats out an infield RBI single. Only the planes passing overhead are watching this now.
4:46: Pirates, 8-1, 8th. Ramirez launches a two-run double off the fence in center.