-- Paul Maholm takes on LA's Hiroki Kuroda tonoght at 7:05. The game will be aired on Root Sports.
-- Tonight's Lineup: Andrew McCutchen CF, Xavier Paul LF, Garrett Jones RF, Neil Walker 2B, Lyle Overbay 1B, Chris Snyder C, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Ronny Cedeno SS, Paul Maholm P.
Jose Tabata takes a seat tonight as the X-Man gets the call. Tabata hit .277 in 13 games at leadoff, but since dropping behind McCutch to the two-hole 18 games ago, he's hit at a .197 clip. Clint Hurdle does like to send out the occasional message, and JT could use one.
Also, Chris Snyder is back, even though Dewey again did his job at the dish last night with a knock and walk. Doumit took a pounding behind the dish, with at least a half dozen fouls ricocheting off various body parts, so he'll probably hang in the hot tub until the sixth or seventh inning.
-- Well surprise, surprise...Jose Ascanio was added to the roster, and Mike Crotta was not sent to Indy, but to the DL. He's on the 15-day list with elbow inflammation.
-- Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors wrote "Decent relievers are always a hot commodity at the trade deadline." He asks "If the Pirates receive good offers for Joel Hanrahan, Chris Resop, Jose Veras, or Joe Beimel, will they hold off in the name of finishing above .500?" Good question, hey?
Yep, Hurdle is definitely in charge in the Pirates' clubhouse, there is no doubt about that whatsoever. I'm still not worried about Tabata, though it would be nice to see him return to his early season form. The whole team, really, has yet to hit very well. Let's hope they bust out soon, at least as much as they are capable of busting out.
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