Lineup, Notes, News; K-Mac Looking For First Win

The Reds RHP Mike Leake (8-9, 4.73) gets it on this afternoon against RHP Kyle McPherson (0-2, 3.54). Leake, the Reds fifth starter, is 1-1 with a 4.67 ERA against the Bucs in four starts this year, so Pittsburgh has had some success against him. But he should be pitching with a chip on his shoulder as he's fighting for a roster spot come playoff time. K-Mac is looking for MLB win #1. It could be tough. The Pirates have yet to score a run when McPherson was in the game during his first two starts. The game starts at 7:05 and will be aired on Root Sports, though you gotta be there to catch the post-game fireworks and Lifehouse show.

The lineup: Alex Presley LF, Josh Harrison 2B, Andrew McCutchen CF, Garrett Jones RF, Gaby Sanchez 1B, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Mike McKenry C, Clint Barmes SS, Kyle McPherson P.

It's J-Hay's turn at second tonight, and Gaby Sanchez is getting a start against a righty, keeping Travis Snider on the pine as GI moves to right field. The Reds will keep the pedal to the metal; they're tied with the Nats for the best record in the NL. And it won't get any easier tomorrow afternoon when Johnny Cueto goes for his 20th win.

• Neil Walker told Tom Singer of MLB.com regarding contract talks: "...my focus is on the arbitration process. I'm open to talks this offseason. When the season starts, my focus is on that, but if they want to talk in Spring Training or after the season, I'm open to that." Walker, 27, is a Super Two player and starting next season has four arb years ahead of him, giving him some added leverage for the long term.
• Tonight the Pirates will go over the two million mark in home attendance for the fourth time in team history and for the first time since the club drew a record 2,436,139 fans during the first season of play at PNC Park in 2001. The Bucs also drew over two million fans in 1991 (2,065,302) and 1990 (2,049,908).
• Pittsburgh has lost seven straight home games, but has posted a 42-34 record at home this season.
• Until last night, the Pirates had at least one hit in each of its previous 6,541 games.