Locke v Pelfrey; Lineup (Jordy In, Polanco Out) & Notes

Today's Game: Jeff Locke (2-2, 5.40) toes the slab against Mike Pelfrey (3-1, 3.23). Locke is 0-2 in his last five starts with a 7.27 ERA, and has never faced the Twins. Pelfrey has been effective in the early going, but is 3-2 with a 4.78 ERA in five career starts against the Pirates. The game starts at at 7:05 and will be carried by Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.

Today's Lineup - Josh Harrison RF, Neil Walker 2B, Cutch CF, Starling Marte LF, Jung-Ho Kang 3B, Pedro 1B, Fran Cervelli C, Jordy Mercer SS, Locke P.

El Coffee gets a seat tonight (photo: USA Today Sports)

Jordy's back after a 4-day splinter sesssion. Kang and Josh were shuffled a bit but remain in the lineup while Gregory gets a seat.Seems like Clint has his pick of slumping players to shift around.

• Tony Sanchez is in the Pirate clubhouse on an "optional assignment," a 24-hour precautionary call up that's most often used when a club is uncertain whether a player on the active roster will have to go on the DL. Fran Cervelli took a foul to the mask yesterday, but after a day of testing is OK to go (he's in the lineup), so Tony can say "hi" and "bye" in pretty much the same breath.
• Josh Harrison is on a seven game hitting streak, while Starling Marte has a six game string. On the other side of the street, Gregory Polanco has gone six games without a knock and Cutch is in a 1-for12 funk.
• The Twins are 12-5 this month, the hottest May club in the American League. Pittsburgh is 6-11 over the same span.
• Stolmy Pimentel was outrighted to AAA by the Rangers.
• DYK - Clint Hurdle hit the last homer in Minnesota's old Metropolitan Stadium in 1981 as a member of the Royals?