Morton-Hudson, Lineup, Notes - Irwin Up, Locke Down

Tim Hudson (4-1, 2.17 ERA) and Charlie Morton (0-4, 4.21 ERA) hook up tonight. Hudson has been quite good this year, with his trademark sinker creating grounders at a 58% rate while walking just two batters in 45-2/3 IP. Morton has had his ups and downs, with his performance mirroring his 2012 campaign much more closely than last year's. It doesn't help that he's gotten just two runs or less of support when he's been in the game in five of his first six starts. The Pirates are hoping for at least some innings from Charlie as the bullpen has been ridden hard since the Oriole doubleheader.

The lineup: Josh Harrison RF, Neil Walker 2B, Cutch CF,  Pedro 3B, Starling Marte LF, Ike Davis 1B, Tony Sanchez C, Jordy Mercer SS and Morton.

 The 7:05 game will be aired on Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.

• The Pirates, as expected, sent Jeff Locke back down to Indy, and given the state of the bullpen, called up RHP Phil Irwin. Irwin started for the Indians but was sent to the pen. His stats are pretty bad, but his recent performances have been strong, so...The Bucs are carrying eight relievers and four starters thanx to a Thursday off-day.
• Hudson and Morton were teammates in 2008 when both were members of the Atlanta Brave rotation. 
• Wandy Rodriguez is slated to go six innings/90 pitches in his rehab  start with Altoona tonight.
• The Giants have won 10-of-11 games; as we saw last night, they're in a streak where they can do no wrong. 
• No surprise, but the team that improved its playoff chances the most in April was Milwaukee; the team that's fallen the furthest was Pittsburgh, per Fangraph's Jeff Sullivan.
• Ex-Bucs: Chris Leroux was outrighted by the Yankees and can opt for free agency. Xavier Nady was DFA'ed by the Padres; he had three homers, but a .135 BA.