Pitchers: RHP Nick Kingham (2-2, 4.03) butts heads with LHP Jon Lester (6-2, 2.44). Nick has pitched to a 5.32 ERA in his last four outings; his strikeouts are fine with 21 in 22 IP and he gives up an OK hit per inning, but his four homers are worrisome. This is a rematch of the two; The King lasted 5-1/3 IP, giving up three runs on eight hits with four whiffs on May 29th against Lester. The Cub vet has faced the Bucs twice this year, giving up eight runs in 11 innings. Like Nick, the long ball has hurt; the Pirates have three off him.
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| Nick will do the twirling today (photo Pittsburgh Pirates) |
Lineup: Jordy SS, Austin Meadows LF, Starling Marte CF, Fran Cervelli C, David Freese 3B, J-Bell 1B, Gregory Polanco RF, S-Rod 2B & Nick Kingham P. Corey D & Red Beard get a seat against a lefty. J-Hay, who has three-straight multi-hit games, won't even be in the dugout; he was given a day off to attend to a personal matter. The bench will be a man short today. J-Bell finally drops down in the order, and Clint said he won't bat cleanup until he works out his hitting problems. This is Jordy's 38th career game at leadoff, but the first this year.
Notes:
- The bright spot: S-Rod is hitting .323 (10-for-31) and has hit two of his three home runs this year off left-handed pitching.
- J-Bell has gone 4-for-35 (.114) in his last 11 games while Starling Marte has gone 9-for-44 (.205) in 12 games since returning from a right oblique strain.
- Fran Cervelli has caught 10 runners attempting to steal this season; he had a total of nine CS last year.
- If you're in the Altoona neck of the woods, stop by PNG Park - it's the Tony Watson bobblehead day.
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