Notes

Today's pitching matchup: well-rested RHP Charlie Morton (7-4, 3.77) against former Bucco LHP Tom Gorzelanny (2-6, 4.18). The game will start at 7:05 and be shown on Root Sports.

The lineup: Alex Presley LF, Chase d'Arnaud 3B, Andrew McCutchen CF, Matt Diaz RF, Lyle Overbay 1B, Ronny Cedeno SS, Josh Harrison 2B, Mike McKenry C, Charlie Morton P.

Neil Walker is out again, combo of sore back and sore bat against LHP (.195/.268/.264); we may see more of Say Hay at second against southpaws. We're a little surprised not to see Brandon Wood play against a lefty, but d'Arnaud does make it lots easier to fill in a lineup card by being a top-of-the-order kinda guy. Diaz-Overbay-Cedeno are hitting 4-5-6; how's that for a Murderer's Row?

• Ends up that Neil Walker wasn't getting just a blow yesterday; he had a sore back according to the beat gang. It's an old pelvic condition he keeps in check by exercise, but the artificial turf at Rogers Centre aggravated it.
• Xavier Paul is still day-to-day with a hammy issue. Clint Hurdle told Jen Langosch of MLB.com that if he's not better by the weekend, the Bucs will consider moving him to the DL.
• DC is another house of horrors for Pittsburgh. The Pirates enter Nationals Park with a five-game losing streak at the stadium. The club's last win was a 2-1 victory on May 20th, 2009. John Grabow beat Joel Hanrahan back then, with Matt Capps earning the save in a game started by Paul Maholm and John Lannan. Sean Burnett pitched an inning, and Nyjer Morgan started in left.
• 2011 marks the the first time that the Bucs have won four interleague series in a season.
• C Jason Jaramillo is expected to start his rehab next week, and he should join the roster once that's successfully completed. So his rough-cut timetable is to be back after the All-Star break.
• As Jen Langosch of MLB.com noted, Jay's SS Yunel Escobar wasn't real happy with a couple of hard, DP-busting slides by old teammate Matt Diaz. Hey, welcome to NL baseball, Yunel. If you're having trouble hangin' in on the turn, give Billy Maz a call; he'll explain the long-standing rules of engagement for infield hardball ala the Senior Circuit. Sometimes you have to eat a little dirt to make a play.
• Scott McCauley, Indy Indians broadcaster, has a post on 1B Matt Hague's tremendous June, capped by an All-Star spot and a surprise telephone call from Clint Hurdle.