Brotherly Love Lineup, Notes

RHP Jeff Karstens (0-1, 4.50 ERA) gets back in the saddle against the Phillies RHP Joe Blanton (6-6, 5.04). Karstens has been out since April 18th with shoulder inflammation and later a hip strain, but pitched well in his last rehab start. He bumps Brad Lincoln back to the bullpen. Blanton has had a rough string of games, so the Pirates should be able to give JK a couple of runs to work with. The game begins at 7:05 at Citizens Bank Park and will be shown on Root Sports.

The Lineup: Alex Presley LF, Jose Tabata RFR, Andrew McCutchen CF, Garrett Jones 1B, Neil Walker 2B, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Rod Barajas C, Clint Barmes SS, Jeff Karstens P. We assume this is the lineup Clint Hurdle expected to write out early and often back in spring training.

Pittsburgh plays the Phils four times, and won't face either Cole Hamels or Cliff Lee, who worked yesterday's twin bill, and that can't hurt. The Bucs are just a game behind the Reds and right there in the wildcard race. They play a big series in St. Louie after the Phils, then host the Astros for four and the G-Men. It's a nice opportunity to carry some mo into the All-Star break.

• Utility IF Drew Sutton, who hit .271 for the Tampa Bay Rays, replaced Jordy Mercer as the Bucco bench dude. No word yet on who he will replace on the roster when he reports tomorrow, but there still are 13 pitchers, one over the usual limit.
• Jeff Karstens hasn't won a game since August 10th, 2011, when the Bucs beat the Giants 9-2.
• The rest of the Bucco rotation has been pushed back a day with Karsten's return, so not only does he provide a fresh arm, but his staff mates get an extra day off. Sweet! Except for RHP Bryan Morris, who was optioned back to Indy to make space for JK after being called up yesterday.
• Neil Walker has played in 69 of the team’s first 71 games this season even with getting a well earned day off yesterday. Since the beginning of last year, he's played 228 games, behind just Dan Uggla (233), Joey Votto (232), Michael Bourn (230) and Starlin Castro (230) in the NL.
• Always a thrill to visit Philly. Mike McKenry tweeted "Almost got to see my first cab brawl with jhay_da_man (Josh Harrison). People are crazy!"
• The Pirates posted a 10-8 record during interleague play this year, the most wins in a single season in the 16 years of playing against the AL. Their previous best finish was 8-7. Overall, the AL won the showdown with a 142-110 slate (56%), the ninth straight year the junior circuit has taken the series.
• Happy birthday, Paul Maholm (30) and Aramis Ramirez (34).
• Man, talk about blasts from the past: Eleven year vet Kip Wells has been promoted by the Padres and will start tomorrow in Houston, his home town. The 35 year old last pitched for the Bucs in 2006 and his last outing in the show was in 2009 with the Reds.

Verlander Holds Off Bucs 3-2

Well, not a great start for KC. Four pitches and it was 2-0. Austin Jackson lined his first pitch to left for a knock, and Quintin Berry got ahead 2-0, looked fastball and got it, lofting his first big league homer to right to make it 2-0. Alex Presley began the Bucco half with a bunt single dragged down the left side. Josh Harrison tried to follow; he lined! his bunt to third. Cutch and Casey McGehee both lifted flies to right, and after a frame, the Tigers were up a pair.

Correia bounced back with a 1-2-3 second, and Verlander had an easy time with the Bucco batters, too. In the third, the Bucco righty had to labor to put away the Tigers. Verlander K'ed, then Jackson hit one sharply to short. Clint Barmes cocked his arm and threw the ball straight into the dirt; it was generously ruled a hit.

Then, in breaking news, Mike McKenry actually tossed out Jackson trying to swipe second, breaking an 0-for-June streak of steals. It was a sort of Phyrric victory; Berry walked on five pitches. Miguel Cabrera rolled a grounder into right past a diving Harrison, who was positioned toward the bag. KC finally ended the action when he made a nice stretch, catching a wide toss to first on a Prince Fielder grounder that McGehee wrestled into submission. McKenry started off the frame by chopping an infield single to third and was bunted to second. That's as far as he got; the next pair of Pirates popped out to third, then to first.

KC must like even innings; he tucked away Motown in order in the fourth, the last out snagged by Cutch at the 399' mark off the bat of Jhonny Peralta. The Bucs went down quietly too, except for Clint Hurdle. McGehee protested a third strike check swing call that went against him (he did cross the plate with the bat) and Hurdle came out to protect him. He spoke to plate ump Marty Foster calmly, hands on hips, for a few seconds and got run for the second time this year. Love to know what magic word he managed to sneak into that conversation.

Ryan Raburn opened the fifth with a knock to center and was moved to second by Verlander. KC came back to K the Motown 1-2 hitters; he's been pretty strong since those opening four pitches. The Bucs went down without a peep. Verlander is using a lot of movement so far and mixing in his off speed stuff; he hasn't really begun to crank up the heater yet.

Correia's even inning mojo was snapped with two away in the sixth. Delmon Young, behind 0-2, slapped a waste heater, shoulder high and away, into right for a single. KC recovered quickly, getting Alex Avila to bounce to second to end the frame. The Bucs got a one out walk from Presley, but Verlander never let him get a sniff of second. Hague pinch hit for KC, who went six innings, giving up two runs on six hits and one walk with four Ks, delivering 86 pitches.

Chris Resop climbed the hill for the seventh and retired the Tigers bottom end in order. The Bucs squared up some in their half. McGehee roped a liner to right that sliced on Berry, who was turned around but made the grab over his head. It would be a big catch. Pedro lined a fastball into center. Garrett Jones took a ball, swung through a change, and then got a second one that stayed up, and he bombed it over the wall in right center to knot the game. Barmes followed with a soft liner into left for a knock. McKenry tried to keep the parade going, but hit a one hop shot to third that turned into an around the horn DP.

Resop came out for a second inning, and proved the old adage that walks kill. With an out, he issued a five pitch free pass to Berry, who stole second (good jump, high throw) as Miguel Cabrera struck out swinging at high heat. With two down, they walked Fielder intentionally. It didn't work; Delmon Young lined a heater up into right to score Berry, although Prince was picked off trying to get to third when the late throw home was cut by McGehee.

Jeff Bannister, the bench coach, had a limited arsenal. The eighth is usually Jason Grilli's inning; both he and Jared Hughes are out of action today after working the first two games, and Tony Watson is on emergency duty only. Still, he had Hanny available for the top of the order, but the Pirate brain trust is loathe to use him in non-save spots.

Verlander found his heat with the lead back, pounding the plate at 97 in the eighth inning after sitting at 92-94 all game. Still, he needed a big two out catch from Raburn, who went up over the short fence in left to bring back Harrison's liner that was ticketed for the seats. He and Verlander had a little exchange after the catch, Justin grinning and Josh looking like someone just ran over his puppy.

Juan Cruz faced the 6-7-8 hitters in the ninth, and was flawless, fanning a pair. The Bucs saved the best for last; it was up to Cutch, Casey and El Toro to squeeze a run out of Verlander or go home. They went home; Verlander was hitting 98; who needs a closer? Cutch tried to take a heater the opposite way, but his towering fly came down in Berry's glove on the front edge of the track in right. McGehee inexplicably looked at a fastball down the middle for strike three, and Pedro went down swinging at back-to-back hooks.

Hey, it was a nicely played ballgame, and it showed the little things needed to beat an ace. KC did his part. But a late inning walk to a burner with the middle of the order behind him was the difference, with each club exchanging two run blasts. And just maybe going a little too much by the book, leaving your best reliever on ice in the eighth against the top of the order, may have been a factor, too. You have to step out of the box every so often, especially when half the bullpen is down for the day.

The Pirates travel to Philly tomorrow, where Jeff Karstens will face Joe Blanton.

• After the game, Clint Hurdle told the press that Jeff Karstens will start tomorrow, the rest of the rotation will slide back a day, and Bad Brad will go back to the pen.
• The Pirates have called up RHP Bryan Morris, sent down SS Jordy Mercer, and claimed Drew Sutton on waivers. Morris was swapped out for Mercer to help bolster the bullpen; he won't be a long-term addition. Sutton was the guy the Bucs claimed a while back, moved the Tampa the next day, and now have reclaimed. Charlie Morton was moved to the 60 day DL to make roster space for Sutton. When the pitching straightens out, we'd expect Morris to be swapped out for Sutton and Mercer will get back to everyday work with the Tribe.
• The Pirates club record string of 30 straight successful steals against was ended in the second inning today when Mike McKenry threw out Austin Jackson. The Fort notched the last stealer prior to that back in mid-May. 
• Bill Brink of the Post Gazette reports that Jared Hughes was held out with a minor "physical issue" not involving his arm or shoulder, and expects to be ready to go tomorrow.
• Today's gate was 35,179, bringing the series count to 111,878, the fifth highest in PNC history.
• According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Bucs starting pitchers have taken a no-hit bid into the 6th inning four times this season, the most for any MLB team.
• Justin Verlander has gone six innings+ in 58 consecutive games, and today was his fourth complete game of the season. His lowest pitch count of the year has been 102; his highest 131. That's a workhorse. 
• Kevin Youkilis was pulled from the Red Sox game this afternoon, so his saga should be ending soon. (EDIT - he was traded to the White Sox for bullpen swingman RHP Zach Stewart and old Bucco farmhand and utility guy Brent Lillibridge).

Pitching Decisions Fast Approaching

Clint Hurdle told the media during the pre game gabfest that Jeff Karstens won't be making another rehab start, but will climb the bump for the Bucs during the upcoming Philly series. The rotation will likely get pushed back a day for some mid-season maintenance.

Kevin Correia and Brad Lincoln aren't scheduled to pitch in Philadelphia, so he won't be bumping them immediately. But...

Could be Bad Brad is headed back to the pen, or perhaps Pittsburgh is getting some feelers on Correia, who is being shopped around. One of them has to go for JK, and this may be a way to buy an extra couple of days to decide which direction to take.

While Lincoln threw extremely well against Detroit yesterday, he has the potential to be a dependable back end reliever. With Juan Cruz on shaky ground lately, it gives them an option beside Jared Hughes for late game, high leverage situations until Jason Grilli and Joel Hanrahan make the scene. It would also bolster the pen if Hanny becomes a trade target in July, as will the impending return of Chris Leroux.

Correia's not been as bad as folk believe - after all, he is the five man in the rotation, pitching to a 4.21 ERA - but he is in the final year of his deal and blocking some youngsters at Indy. Erik Bedard is in the same boat as a rent-an-arm, and he should be dangled as trade bait next.

With Charlie Morton out, the depth isn't quite as plush as it was before. But with Rudy Owens, Jeff Locke, Rick VandenHurk and Justin Wilson all looking like viable MLB mid-to-back end starters (and that's what they'd be replacing) there are still plenty of options, especially with Gerrit Cole on a fast track with his potential MLB arrival date perhaps just a year away.

That's probably the main reason that the youngsters are still cooling their heels in AAA. For the Bucs to build any value for Correia and Bedard, they have to trot them out every fifth day. We think that by August, some of the Indy gang will be trading in their Tribe unis for jerseys with Pittsburgh across the chest. Whether that's good or bad in the short term is debatable, but it's absolutely necessary to throw them in the fire and see what the team has for the long run.

The FO has a lot of decisions to make over the next month, and for once, it's nice to see that they'll be in a position of strength when drawing up their plans.

Lineup, Notes On Broom Day

RHP Justin Verlander (7-4, 2.57) will face RHP Kevin Correia (3-6, 4.12) as the Tigers send out their ace to try to prevent being broomed. It's a good matchup for Motown, pitting the top of their rotation against the back end of the Bucs. In his last outing against Pittsburgh, Verlander threw a one-hitter. Correia has dodged bullets better than his peripherals indicate he should, but he'll still have his hands full today, especially if a little regression rears its ugly head at PNC. The game starts at 1:35 and will be shown on Root Sports.

The lineup: Alex Presley LF, Josh Harrison 2B, Andrew McCutchen CF, Casey McGehee 1B, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Garrett Jones RF, Clint Barmes SS, Mike McKenry C, Kevin Correia P.

Bucco ironman Neil Walker gets a blow today, replaced by Harrison as Barmes goes back to short after an off day. Hot Rod gets the day off too, with Fort McKenry behind the dish. Somehow, we doubt that Verlander will complain much about any of the changes.

• Light pen today. Jason Grilli and Jared Hughes are off on maintenance days, and Tony Watson will get up only if absolutely needed.
• One of the rumored Pirate trade targets, LHP Joe Saunders, was placed on the 15 day DL by the D-Backs with shoulder inflammation. That won't remove him from the radar; he's due back July 2nd.
• With yesterdays win, the Pirates have taken eight of their last nine series.
• RHP Jameson Taillon made this week's "Prospects Hot Sheet" feature in Baseball America.
• The Centre Daily Times' Guy Cipriano has a nice piece on newly drafted C Jacob Stallings. His dad is the hoops coach at Vandy but says "we are a baseball family that makes it’s living in basketball.”
• BTW, a first for Bucco fans - apparently a few of yesterday's sellout crowd mosied over to nearby Stage AE to catch the Clarks after the game, and a "Let's Go Bucs" chant broke out. While "Here We Go Steelers" and "Let's Go Pens" are common cheers there, it's thought to be the first time the Pirates have been repped at the North Shore venue located between Heinz Field and PNC Park.
• This day in history: In 1965, Willie Stargell mashed three homers to lead the Pirates to a 13-3 beatdown of LA at Dodger Stadium. After dingers in his first three at bats, Pops lined a shot off the outfield railing for a double; he was a foot away from his fourth long fly of the day.

Youkilis - Right Team, Wrong Player

The web is buzzin' with Kevin Youkilis rumors, some saying the Bucs are in on him, others saying they're out. Here's one vote for hopin' they're out.

The 2010 Youk would be a coup, but it's not 2010 anymore. Youkilis is 33, and been on the DL three times since 2011. His strikeout rate is at a career high (24.2%), and his walk rate at a career low (8.7%). He plays corner infield, where the Bucs already have guys vying for time.

He's Casey McGehee, to all extents and purposes. Casey's 2012 slash is .236/.318/.350 with 3 homers and 16 RBI; Youk's is .225/.311/.359 with four long balls and 13 RBI. We suspect, too, that Youk won't find PNC Park nearly as accommodating as Fenway and the AL East venues as a hitter's yard.

McGehee is also a better fielder, with UZRs of 1.1 at both first and third; Youkilis is -0.8 at first and -1.2 at the hot corner. McGehee is 29 and trending upward at the plate with regular playing time. Youk is 33 and while the "grass is greener" scenario might rejuvenate him to a degree, it's hard to not assume that he's looking at the downward slope of his career.

And he would face the same situation in Pittsburgh that peeves him in Boston - he would still be a part time player, platooned at first with the occasional cup of coffee at third, with little viable option to use him in the OF. He's played on the lawn just 22 times in his career. The last time he was in the pasture was in 2009, and 18 of those OF outings were in 2006.

We just don't see any upgrade. We're not even sure that the FO is addressing the club's main weakness at the dish (which, in truth, is probably everywhere but center field and second base).

Corner outfield is where the FO should be looking. JT and Alex Presley, the players surrounding Cutch, haven't met expectations in the first half of the season, as platoon guy Garrett Jones has easily provided the most productive corner bat. Starlin Marte, who many anticipated would be in Pittsburgh this summer, is having his own growing pains at Indy, and Gorkys Hernandez is cut in the same mold as Tabata and Presley - good wheels, good glove, iffy stick. Josh Bell and Barrett Barnes are both a long way off.

But Boston is loaded with outfielders, and it's soon to become quite a crowd. Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury are both due to come of the DL shortly along with Scott Podsednik, and that leaves veteran regulars Cody Ross (.272/9/33), 31, and Ryan Sweeney (.292/0/13), 28, on the bubble. They also have touted but less productive youngsters Ryan Kalish, 24, and Lars Anderson, 24, in the system.

All the OFs are lefties, a nice fit for PNC. Ross is a nine year vet, with time in with the Giants, Marlins and Dodgers and briefly for the Reds. He's shown some pop everywhere he's been. Sweeney has been around the block, too, putting in seven seasons with the As and White Sox. He's an OBP guy without much muscle.

Kalish is a speed player that goes full tilt and can steal a base or two, ala Presley, while Anderson projects as a fourth outfielder type.

Ross is making $3M and will be a FA at the end of the year. Sweeney has another year of arb left, and is making $1.75M this year.

So hey, if you're looking for some help, Boston is a good place to start. Just make sure to shop for the right guys.

Lincoln, Cutch Tame Tigers 4-1

This will be a tough day for Tiger starter Max Scherzer, no matter the result. His brother died three days ago, apparently as the result of suicide. Scherzer returned to the team today and is sticking to his routine rather than dwelling on the tragedy, and we hope it helps get him through it.

Bad Brad had to battle the first two hitters deep into the count, but ended up with a 1-2-3 start to the game. Scherzer did the same; JT lined a single with one away, but was easily nailed trying to steal second on a perfect throw by Alex Avila. The caught stealing was sandwiched between an Alex Presley bounce out and Cutch K, so it's 0-0 after a frame.

Lincoln K'ed the first pair of Motown hitters fishing for the hook. That gave him three whiffs, all on curves set up by fastballs. He lost Avila on a 3-2 pitch, and ended the inning when Jhonny Peralta flew out to Cutch on the center field track. Neil Walker drew a free pass with one away, and Pedro spanked a two strike change up the middle. Unfortunately, it was right to SS Peralta, who was cheating toward the bag, and it ended up an easy 6-3 DP.

The Bucco righty was feelin' it the first time through the order; it was another three up and down frame in the third with his fourth strikeout. So was Mad Max; he faced the bottom of the order and fanned a pair. Detroit went down like house tabbies in the fourth, even with the guys getting their second look at Lincoln. The Bucs had better luck with their second go-around.

Presley started with a nine pitch at bat, finally dropping a 3-2 heater into right center and easily legging it out for a double. JT tried to bunt his way aboard (we think) and got smacked in the wrist for his effort. With two on, Scherzer got ahead of Cutch 0-2 on sliders and then tried to sneak a high heater past him. McCutch was all over it and dropped it six rows deep over the 383' mark to put Pittsburgh up 3-0.

Lincoln did what he was supposed to after taking the lead. He put away the Tigers in order, capped by a nice backhand stop and throw by Josh Harrison at short to retire Peralta. Schertzer put the Pirates' bottom three away, surviving a loud foul by Barajas that landed outside the foul pole by a few feet and a lineout by Harrison.

Ramon Santiago ended Lincoln's streak of ten straight outs when he rolled Detroit's first knock of the game past a diving Walker into right through the second base hole. He was bunted to second, and there he stayed. Scherzer was sharp, too, putting the Bucs down 1-2-3 and running his whiff count up to seven after six frames.

Lincoln got ahead of Miguel Cabrera 1-2, missed with a couple of curves downstairs, then zipped a heater down the middle that the third baseman roped a couple rows deep in right center over the Xfinity sign. Clint Hurdle wasted no time bringing in Juan Cruz. Bad Brad went six, giving up a run on two hits with a walk and seven K, tossing an efficient 79 pitches. He threw 21 straight strikes at one point, kept the ball down and got his hook over enough today to keep the Tigers at bay and just may have earned another start on Thursday.

Prince Fielder took a hanging Cruz change and poked it the opposite way for a two bagger with the Bucs OF shifted. Delmon Young bounced out to short, freezing Fielder at second with one away. Hurdle tapped his arm again, bringing Tony Watson into the fray. He got the lefty Avila on a grounder that moved Prince to third, and had a hold you breath moment when Peralta drove a ball to the bullpen fence in right center, but Cutch was there to end the inning.

Lefty Phil Coke came on, and the Bucs went to work. Casey McGehee hit for Garrett Jones and drilled a fastball into right center for a double. Coke got ahead of The Kid quickly, throwing nothing but off speed stuff. After falling behind and then spoiling a couple, Walker golfed an ankle high hook softly to left to bring home Casey. Pedro followed with a two strike knock to right to put runners on the corners, and Jimmy Leyland had seen enough. He reached for the phone and called for former Bucco Octavio Dotel.

Barajas popped out on the first pitch. Then with a 2-1 count, Hurdle put on a straight squeeze. Harrison got a fastball down the middle, but lunged after it and dropped the bat below the ball; Walker was DOA. He struck out a couple of pitches later, hitting into a delayed DP of sorts without ever leaving the box. Jason Grilli mounted the bump for Pittsburgh in the eighth with a 4-1 lead. He tucked the Tigers away quietly, K'ing a pair.

Dotel, with help from Hurdle, pulled a rabbit out of his cap in the bottom half. Clint Barmes, in as part of a two-fer, punched a pitch away into right for a knock. Presley pounded a ball off Santiago's chest to put runners at first and second. Here's where Hurdle came to the rescue; he had JT sacrifice the runners over. The ol' skip gave up an out and predictably, Cutch was walked intentionally, so he also took the bat out of his best hitter's hands. McGehee and Walker both had long at bats against Dotel, and both ended up K'ing. Casey went down trying to push inside deliveries into right, and Walker was caught looking at a 3-2 curve after six straight heaters.

At least it left Hanny with another save opp. He got the first two hitters on flies. Fielder took the first pitch he saw the opposite way again for a knock; he must be getting tired of hitting into shifts. Young drew a 3-2 walk to bring up the tying run in Avila. Avila was looking fastball; he got three straight sliders down and in and swung over all three to end the game. Lincoln is now 4-2 and Hanny picked up his nineteenth save.

The Bucs make it hard on themselves sometimes; they blew three shots in the last two innings to bring home a runner from third with less than two outs, foiled by a bunt that worked and one that didn't. But hey, raise the Jolly Roger. Justin Verlander will take on Kevin Correia tomorrow. The Bucs will have their work cut out for them if they want to broom Detroit.

• The Bucs guaranteed a winning record against the AL this year; now they're 10-7 against the Junior Circuit with just tomorrow's game left on the interleague sked.
• Wonder why Cutch sees so many sliders? Root Sports showed his fastball stats - .588 BA, with 12 of his 13 homers coming off a heater.
• Brad Lincoln set his career punchout record for a game today with seven.
• JT is now tied with Starlin Castro for the league lead in times caught stealing with eight; he's 8-for-16 in 2012.
• Not much of a surprise, but Pittsburgh is shopping RHP Kevin Correia, as confirmed by Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune Review.
• The Pirates had their sixth full house of the year today, drawing 38,734. Lots of Detroit fans in the stands again today. The Pirate faithful are easy to spot; they're wearing black/yellow tees and caps with a Gatorade cup stuck on top, a meme of a dugout prank pulled on Lincoln a couple of nights ago that the TV cameras caught.
• Yay, PennDOT. With a sellout crowd expected, the North Shore exits were closed today for roadwork. Might be a late arriving crowd.
• Upper St. Clair's Sean Casey was inducted into the Reds HOF today. Congrats to The Mayor.

Lineup, Notes, Random Stuff

This afternoon's matchup features the Tigers' RHP Max Scherzer (6-4, 5.17 ERA) squaring off against RHP Brad Lincoln (3-2, 3.82). Scherzer mowed down Buccos like they were little leaguers last time he faced them, K'ing 15. For Bad Brad, it may be his last opportunity to keep his foot stuck in the rotation door. On the plus side, it's Lincoln's first start at home after four outings on the road. There's one more start remaining on Thursday that's open before Jeff Karstens returns, and it's listed as TBA - and who fills that turn might be determined at PNC today. The game starts at 4:05 and will be broadcast on Root Sports.

The lineup: Alex Presley LF, Jose Tabata RF, Andrew McCutchen CF, Garrett Jones 1B, Neil Walker 2B, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Rod Barajas C, Josh Harrison SS, Lincoln P.

JT is back in the lineup, sitting Casey McGehee down. Josh Harrison gets another start at short for Clint Barmes. So we're still curious what point is served by Jordy Mercer's bench presence. If he's not gonna play in Pittsburgh, let him get some PT at Indy. Our take is that Clint Barmes is blocking both he and Harrison, who should both be getting a longer look to see if either can handle the SS job.

• The Pirates are said to be looking for offense, and maybe they should start at the top. The 1-2 spots in the lineup have a .236 BA and .275 OBP.
• The middle of the order has needs, too. The team slash line is .224/10/56. Adam Laroche alone is hitting .250/12/43. The 6-7 guys have a line of .236/19/56; that's generally where Pedro and Hot Rod bat.
• Cutch has gone 14-for-25 (.560) in his last six games. He's banged out multi-hit games in 6 of his last 8 contests, including a 3-for-4 effort last night.
• When Pedro was intentionally walked in yesterday's game, it was his first IBB of the season and only the third of his career.
• Pat Lackey at WHYGAVS doesn't think the Bucs have much interest in Kevin Youkilis. We hope he's right; they should be focused on a player that can help them down the road, not a rental. Rob Biertemfel of the Tribune Review tweeted that the "Pirates won't give up front-line prospect (Taillon, Cole, Marte) for Youkilis. Might offer 2nd-tier guy if they get lots of cash in deal."
• Kristy Robinson of Pirates Prospects has a piece on AJ Burnett's turnaround in Pittsburgh. Hey, even grizzled vets are at heart just boys that wanna have fun.
• Justin Wilson had another strong outing at Indy. The lefty went six innings, giving up a run on one hit and three walks with eight K. He threw 108 pitches, so he's stretched out. The walks are a little worrisome yet, but it's good news that he's rooted in the rotation for good after spending some serious bullpen time for the Tribe in 2011.
• Tim Williams at Pirate Prospects has a good read on some young Buccos - Clay Holmes, Luis Heredia, Jacob Stallings and Barrett Barnes - that gives a snapshot of the youngsters' talents and mindsets.

Bucs Score Early, Cruise To 4-1 Win

 It took AJ Burtnett a bit to loosen his arm; he went 3-2 on the first three Motown hitters, and lost Quintin Berry with one out, who stole second on the next pitch. But he died at third as his Tiger teammates all bounced out.

The Bucs took their first look at Doug Fister, and the top of the order liked what they saw. Down 1-2, Alex Presley whacked an elevated heater into the right field corner for a two base knock. Neil Walker lined the next pitch into center, sending The King home. He went to second on a short wild pitch and then to third on Cutch's broken bat dink into left. The merry-go-round stopped when Garrett Jones reached for a two strike change, rolling into a 6-4-3 with the Tigers exchanging the second run for the twin killing. McGehee bounced out to third, and the Pirates were up 2-0 after a frame.

AJ struck out Delmon Young to open the second, but lost Alex Avila on a full-count curve. Jhonny Peralta fell behind 0-2 and flew out to center and Ramon Santiago did the same on a first pitch heater that Burnett got away with, served right down the middle.

The much maligned Detroit defense gift wrapped the next pair of Bucco runs, all on one play. The newly patience Pedro fell behind 0-2, took three balls, fouled off a heater and banged the next smoker up the middle for a knock. Rod Barajas dinked a soft liner between short and left to put runners at first and second. Clint Barmes K'ed on three pitches, swinging through a curve. Burnett tried to bunt, and punched the ball right back to the mound. Fister had El Toro at third, but tossed the ball into left to allow him to score. Young picked up the cowhide and then dropped it, sending Hot Rod safely home, skittering across the dish with a belly-flopper. After two, it's 4-0 Pittsburgh.

The Tigers went down in order in the third, with Burnett picking up a pair of whiffs. Fister stopped the bleeding, too. Cutch led off with a single, spanking an 0-2 slider into center. Jones ripped a liner just foul into right, and swung through the next pitch for the first out. McGehee bounced to short, and a 6-4-3 DP nipped the inning in the bud.

Motor City got its first knock with two outs in the fourth when Young slapped a slurve up the middle, but he was left standing on the bag two pitches later. With one away, Barajas dropped his second flare, this time to short right, for a single. And for the third time in four frames, the Bucs banged into a DP, this one 5-4-3 off Barmes' bat.

In the fifth, it was three Tigers up, three ground balls, and three Tigers down. Fister was groovin' too, getting a pair of looking strikeouts sandwiched around Presley's long fly out to the track in right center by the Xfinity sign. Burnett would be tested in the sixth.

Austin Jackson rolled a 2-2 pitch through the second base hole and Berry followed with a five pitch walk. Miguel Cabrera and AJ battled through eight pitches, finally ended when Cabrera cued one to short to start a 6-4-3 DP. Prince Fielder popped out, and Burnett hung another hard earned goose egg on Detroit. Cutch led off against Fister with his third hit, a liner to center. He moved to second on a grounder, and with two away, Alvarez was intentionally walked. Barajas lifted yet another flare, but this one carried just a bit too far and was run down by Young to end the frame.

Burnett called it a day after 98 pitches, going six scoreless frames giving up two hits and three walks with five K. Jared Hughes climbed the mound, and it was a tough outing for Tackleberry. Young lifted one to the wall in straight center, a 395' out. Alex Avila hit a slow roller up the third base line, and Pedro showed off his rifle by tossing a laser to retire him. But a pair of sinkers that didn't sink got Motown on the board when Peralta doubled midway up the Clemente Wall and Santiago high off the fence in right center. A walk to Brandon Bosch ended Hughes' day. Tony Watson came on. Jackson was up, and got nothing but hard stuff from the lefty, K'ing as he swung through high heat to end the frame with the Bucs still comfortably ahead 4-1.

Luis Marte came on for Detroit, and he put the Bucs away without a ball finding its way past the infield. Jason Grilli was atop the bump in the eighth against the Tiger's 2-3-4 hitters and shut them down quietly. Marte got the first two outs in the Bucco half, ending Cutch's bid for a fourth hit when his liner ended up an at 'em ball to short. That was followed by a Freddy Sanchez filet to right by Matt Hague, who was wild pitched to second. The inning shut down when McGehee went down swinging at a 3-2 slider. It was Hanny time. No drama tonight; a pair of K's and a grounder to short put this baby to bed.

It was AJ's eighth win and The Hammer's 18th save. Might be a different game if Fister's second inning throw to third was on target, but defense is intertwined with pitching, and the Bucs made all the plays while the Tigers misfired on one. And sometimes one is all it takes.

Max Scherzer takes on Brad Lincoln tomorrow night.

• AJ Burnett has won seven straight starts, and the Pirates have won the last nine games he's started.
• Casey McGehee's hitting streak ended at nine games.
• The Bucs had their fifth sellout with a crowd of 37,965. The Pirates expect tomorrow to be a sellout too, and predict a good crowd for Sunday.
• Jeff Karstens should take the bump Sunday for Indy with no pitch count cap. If he gets through that, he should be good to rejoin the Bucco rotation.
• The Tiger's Prince Fielder has launched 28 long balls against the Pirates in his career, his most homers bashed against any team.

Notes, Lineup As Tigers Come To Town

RHP Doug Fister (1-3, 2.68 ERA) of the Tigers takes on RHP A.J. Burnett (7-2, 3.52) tonight. Fister came off the DL Saturday, and went six shutout frames against the Rox. AJ's been on a roll and hasn't lost since May 2nd. The game starts at 7:05 and will be shown on Root Sports.

It's a pair of hot teams running into one another. The Bucs have won 7-of-8 series while the Tigers have taken four straight series. The duo of Verlander and Scherzer struck out 27 and held Pittsburgh to a pair of runs a month ago in Detroit. So the team has its work cut out for it. A little rain won't hurt; it should clear out by gametime. And that's good - a big crowd is expected tonight.

The lineup: Alex Presley LF, Neil Walker 2B, Andrew McCutchen CF, Garrett Jones RF, Casey McGehee 1B, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Rod Barajas C, Clint Barmes SS, AJ Burnett P.

Scary, but about as good as the Bucco lineup gets, maybe you could slip in Josh Harrison. Still, it shows how badly the Pirates need some OF help; maybe a deal sooner and Starling Marte (.261/5/34 @ Indy) a little later? 

• A.J. Burnett will try to become the first Pirate pitcher to win seven straight starts (he did it once for Florida in 2005) since Dock Ellis notched eight straight in 1974.
• The Pirates are 8-7 interleague this year, the same record as last season, with the weekend set against the Tigers still to go.
• According to the Elias Sports Bureau, James McDonald is the only Pirates pitcher since 1900 to allow three or fewer runs in each of his first 14 starts of a season.
• Gordon Edes of ESPN tweeted  that it wouldn't surprise him to see the Pirates check in on OFs Ryan Kalish or Cody Ross when Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford return to the Red Sox.
• Eric Seidman at Fangraphs is another fan of Cody Ross and Pittsburgh getting together. 
• It took awhile, but Joe Lemire of Sports Illustrated relates when Gregg Ritchie stepped in to smooth out Cutch's swing in the minors when he hit his first rough bump at the dish.

Bucs Fire On All Cylinders, Romp 9-1

Pretty good start for James McDonald. He K'ed two of three Twinkies on curves in the dirt, giving Rod Barajas a little jump on loosening up his arm with tosses to first to complete the strikeout. Liam Kendriks started off with a comebacker by Alex Presley, a 3-2 heater that Neil Walker drove to the 389' mark before it was hauled in, and then a triple to right center by Cutch on a fastball away. Garrett Jones rolled an infield single off a diving 2B Alexi Casilla, and the Bucs were up 1-0. Casey McGehee bounced a 2-0 heater down the middle into center to put Buccos on first and second. The inning ended with Pedro swinging through a hook.

Justin Morneau fell behind 1-2, then got a heater up and over the outside of the dish that he lined the opposite way into left for a leadoff double. A grounder to short nicely played by Josh Harrison froze him, and he went to third on a long loud out by Dewey on a shot to left center. Another grounder put the Twins away without a run.

With one away, Harrison lined a knock to center. J-Mick misfired on a bunt attempt, forcing Josh at second. Presley spanked a 3-2 heater into center for a single, McDonald pulling up at second. SS Brain Dozier booted Walker's grounder to load the bases. Cutch made the Twins pay in blood for the error when he drilled a fastball above the knees and down the middle into left for a bases-clearing two bagger. Jones squared up on a curve, but lined it right to second to end the frame with the Pirates on top 4-0.

After two down in the third, Denard Span rolled a heater up the middle. Ben Revere was ahead 2-1 and got the heater he was looking for. He drove it deep toward the notch, where Presley tucked it in to end the frame. Hendriks nailed the first two Bucs on three pitches, then plunked Barajas. Harrison got a heater on a 3-2 delivery, but was a little late on it and flew out to right, ending the streak of two-out lightning.

J-Mick hit Josh Willingham with a first pitch slider to open the fourth, and fell behind Morneau 3-1. With the green light, he bounced a fastball at the knees to short to start a 6-4-3 DP. Good thing; Trevor Plouffe ripped a first pitch double to the wall in center and came in two pitches later when Dewey rolled a knock into right. Dozier got ahead 2-0, but finished the frame with a pop up. It was now 4-1 Pittsburgh. Hendriks had an easy inning, sitting down the Pirates routinely.

With one away in the fifth, Hendriks reached on Harrison's error. Span hit the next pitch to the track in right where Jones tucked it away. Revere tried to bunt his way on, dropping the first pitch down, but Barajas was on it quickly and nailed him. After five, J-Mick is in control, with just 66 pitches used so far on a muggy night. Hendriks looked sharp now, too. He K'ed Cutch on a curve foul tip, jammed Jones on the hands to get a pop out and K'ed McGehee swinging on a slider just at the knees and on the black, a perfect pitcher's pitch.

Willingham got ahead 2-0 and whacked an elevated heater, but it dropped short of the track in left for out number one. It was J-Mick's turn to get ahead of Morneau 0-2, but he tossed a hook that caught too much plate and it was roped into right for a knock. Plouffe lined a slider to left, and Presley was there for the grab. With Doumit up and two away, Morneau stole second. J-Mick threw a 2-2 offspeed pitch into the dirt; Morneau was caught in no mans land between bases and was run down 2-6-5 to end the Twin sixth.

El Toro opened the Bucco half by lining a 3-2 fastball into center. Hendriks hung a slider down the middle of Broadway to Barajas, and he bombed it over the wall just beside the Notch to make it 6-1. That was it for the rookie; Alex Burnett got the bullpen call. Longballs had been Hendriks' bane, and one finally caught up to him tonight. With two down, Presley legged out a weak 0-2 roller down the right side for an infield hit and stole second. Walker grounded a 3-2 heater on the outside black to third to end the frame, but the Pirates had a comfortable five run lead with nine outs to go.

Make that six; J-Mick put away Minnesota in order in the seventh. Jeff Manship came in for the Twins, and Cutch greeted him with a single to left off a 3-2 hook. Jones saw a 2-1 two seamer that was up, and dropped it into the Clemente seats; the rout was officially on with GI Jones' birthday bomb. An out later, Pedro crushed his 13th into the right center night skies to make it 9-1, blasting a changeup 435' and bouncing it out of the house. Barajas had the dinger fever, but went down swinging without ever seeing a strike. Harrison bounced out to end a productive frame.

McDonald iced the Twinkies in the eighth, without a ball leaving the infield. Jeff Gray climbed the mound for Minnesota. The Bucs went down in order, and Cutch, who was on deck, lost his chance for the cycle, falling a homer short.

It took J-Mick eight pitches to get the first out in the ninth, and we'll see how short a leash he's on as he goes for his first complete game. His pitch count is at 112. Chris Parmlee hit a ground ball single into right, and Plouffe flied out to left. He got Dewey to line out to right, and notched his longest outing at 120 pitches and first MLB complete game, good stuff from the Pirates emerging ace.His final line: nine innings, one run, six hits, five K.

Hey, they did it all today. But the Tigers will throw Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander at the Buccos against Brad Lincoln and Kevin Correia, a pair of tough matchups. Hopefully, the guys make hay tomorrow when Doug Fister takes on AJ Burnett.

• Casey McGehee has a nine game hitting streak that he extended with a first inning knock.
• Pedro Alvarez's last five games: 9-for-17, 2 2B, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 8 R, 3 BB, 2 K.
• The Bucs have won seven of their last eight series.
• RHP Daniel McCutchen has been recalled from his rehab assignment, reinstated from the 15-day DL and optioned to Indy.
• GW may have been a little harsh on the Bucco batters when they were shutout 2-0 by Cleveland's Justin Masterson last week. He struck out nine with no walks and allowed a lone unearned run on three hits in a complete-game win over Cincinnati last night. And to beat our DH dead horse a little longer, the Tribe was swept by the Reds in Cincy, but took all three in the rematch at Cleveland.
• In his first Class A start, 17 year old Luis Heredia went 4 IP, with no runs, giving up 1 hit and 2 walks with 4 K on 48 pitches (he was on a 4 inning/65 pitch limit). And sandwich pick Barrett Barnes, making his pro debut, had three hits.
• A blast from the past: The Braves signed reliever D.J. Carrasco to a minor league deal after the Mets released him in early May.
• Cash Kruth of MLB.com has a piece about the Moonlight Grahams of baseball; the three dozen guys who since 1901 appeared in only one game and never stepped up to the plate.