July 5, 2015
Final: Pirates 5, Indians 3
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.”
July 5, 2015
Huntington talks pitching depth, Polanco
by Nate Barnes • Coverage • Pirates
Notes, quotes from Neal Huntington’s weekly media gathering at PNC Park:
• Between injuries to Jameson Taillon, Nick Kingham and Brandon Cumpton, the Pirates have far less pitching depth than expected. All three have had Tommy John surgery, the latter two this year, and Taillon’s recovery was derailed yet again by pending hernia surgery.
And the depth took another hit with the cash trade of Clayton Richard to the Cubs his week.
“We’ve taken some dings and dents in the process,” Huntington said. “We’ve got one of the 100 pitchers that had an ERA under 4.00 and threw 100 or more last year sitting in our bullpen right now.”
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