Brew Crew Rolls In, Jamo v Miley & Notes - Let the Meadows Debate Begin

Today: The game starts at 7:05 and will be on AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan.

Pitchers: RHP Jameson Taillon (5-7, 4.05) kicks the set off v LHP Wade Miley (1-0, 1.42). JT sailed through six innings in his last outing, one of his stronger starts, and then got the hook (a quick one, per Jamo) after getting into a jam and it went downhill after that. We'll see if he can follow up with another good start; he's been much more effective since going to his slider more often. He's faced the Brewers twice this year, giving up four runs in 10 frames on 13 hits. Oddly, he had just one K in his first outing but seven in the second. Miley has been beat up this year physically. He's coming off the 60-day DL to make his first Brewers start since May 8th, when he strained his right oblique against the Indians in his second game back from a groin injury. The lefty's been so-so against the Pirates in seven lifetime starts with a 2-2/3.79 slash.

Jamo opens the Brew Crew set (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Lineup: Corey Dickerson LF, Starling Marte CF, Elias Diaz C, David Freese 3B, Jordan Luplow RF, J-Bell 1B, J-Hay 2B, Jordy SS & Taillon P. Lefty lineups are always interesting. Austin Meadows is down again and Clint said they're discussing sending him back to Indy for regular playing time; right now they're working with him on swing tweaks. He's hit a wall (.213 BA since 6/23); an Indy stint wouldn't hurt him right now. Fran's down again too; hope they're just easing him back into action. Red Beard looks like he's back in platoon mode.

Notes:

• Starling Marte has a seven-game hitting streak.
• Yesterday was the Bucs' 10th shutout of the season (which puts them among the league leaders behind only the Cubs) despite the Pirates team ERA of 4.41, 22nd in the majors.
• S-Rod is back at Indy now that the AAA-ASG is over and the schedule has resumed.
• Not such a great day for Indy in the AAA All-Star game. The PCL put up four hits and two walks against RHP Tyler Eppler in an inning (all six runners scored) and C Ryan Lavarnway hit into a DP in his only at bat. IF Kevin Newman did go 1-for-3 with an RBI.

Will Craig (photo source MLB Pipeline)

• 1B/DH Will Craig of Altoona won the EL All-Star game for the Western Division yesterday. With the score 4-4 after nine, they went into a special tiebreaker based on a point system for homers, balls to outfield, etc. in modified home run derby format. Craig outpointed Reading's Zach Green, representing the East, 305-275, after going 1-for-4 during the game, fanning twice. He also participated in the pre-game HR derby, hitting 12 long flies, short of qualifying for the finals which took 14 long balls. 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes was 1-for-2 with an RBI & whiff while LHP Taylor Hearn tossed the first inning, putting up a zero with a walk & strikeout.