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06-28-2004, 09:37 AM
Pirates Report, 6/28/04
Monday, June 28, 2004
By Robert Dvorchak, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
SCOUTING REPORT
Series: Pirates vs. Cardinals, three games at PNC Park.
Times: 7:05 p.m. today and tomorrow, 12:35 p.m. Wednesday.
TV/radio: All games on Fox Sports Net; all games on KDKA-AM (1020) and the Pirates Radio Network.
Probable starters: RHP Jeff Suppan (6-5, 3.75 ERA), RHP Chris Carpenter (8-2, 3.61 ERA) and RHP Matt Morris (8-6, 4.27 ERA) for the Cardinals; RHP Kris Benson (5-7, 5.11 ERA), LHP Sean Burnett (0-2, 4.15 ERA) and RHP Kip Wells (3-5, 5.03 ERA) for the Pirates.
Pirates: At 11-22, the Pirates have the worst home record in the majors while the Cardinals have the best road record (26-12). ... Benson is 1-1 with a 9.75 ERA in two starts against the Cardinals this season. Lifetime, he is 7-4 with a 4.75 ERA in 12 starts. ... Jason Kendall has made 30 consecutive starts behind the plate. ... The Pirates have homered in their past 15 games.
Cardinals: The National League Central Division leaders are 5-1 against the Pirates this season, including 4-0 at PNC Park. ... Suppan is 2-0 against his former team in two starts this season and has a 2.09 ERA on the road. ... Morris leads the NL with 24 home runs allowed. ... The Cardinals are hitting .274 as a team, the highest mark in the NL.
On deck: After a day off, Pirates have a four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park; the Cardinals return home for a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners.
NOTEBOOK
* There is no limit on the number of pitches a Pirates starter will throw, but manager Lloyd McClendon said there was no way he was sending Oliver Perez back out for the eighth inning after he threw 115 pitches Saturday, and general manager Dave Littlefield said it is prudent not to overwork a 22-year-old left-hander who is one of the brightest pitching prospects the Pirates have had in years. "We are cognizant of the big picture," Littlefield said on his weekly KDKA-AM radio show. "These guys have so much value to us. We're going to keep an eye on these guys for a while." Perez matched a career high with 13 strikeouts in that game, and he has been particularly tough against the Reds. Barry Larkin, for example, is thinking of returning for a 20th season. "It would be helpful if I didn't have to come back and face a guy like Oliver Perez." Added Reds manager Dave Miley: "There's a reason he was in the [Brian] Giles trade. He's got pretty good stuff." Perez has 102 strikeouts for the season, one more than Roger Clemens. His ratio of 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings leads the National League.
* The previous time the Pirates faced the Cardinals, McClendon and Tony La Russa were ejected and suspended for two games for an on-field confrontation stemming from hitters getting hit by pitches. McClendon said at the time there would be no carryover, and he repeated his sentiments yesterday. "I tell people this all the time, and for some reason they have a hard time understanding this. I consider Tony a friend. Tony and I are very competitive, but there's never anything personal, and I never hold grudges. That stuff is over with. I have to win games. Tony's not worried about me, and I'm not worried about Tony. We're trying to win games."
* It was hoped that C Humberto Cota, on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique, could resume swinging a bat this weekend, but he felt some discomfort while doing some exercises with a medicine ball. He may be able to take batting practice on the homestand that begins today. Repeated injuries have prompted Cota to think about not playing winter ball in his native Mexico this year because he thinks overwork may have contributed to the injuries. "I just want to see what I can do for a whole year if I'm healthy," Cota said.
*The Pirates will know in a week if 3B Jose Bautista, who was lost in the Rule 5 draft, is coming back to them. Bautista was designated for assignment Friday by the Devil Rays, who have until Sunday to trade him or put him on waivers. If no other team claims him, Bautista must be offered back to the Pirates before the Devil Rays could assign him to the minor leagues. "We'll certainly take him back if he's offered back," Littlefield said.
*Dr. John McCollister, author of 19 books, including "Tales from the Pirates Dugout," will be signing copies of his book from 5:30 to 7 p.m. today in the Pirates Outfitters store at the Federal Street entrance to PNC Park.
MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT
Saturday's results
NASHVILLE (36-39) lost, 7-5, at Colorado Springs. Blake Stein (0-1) lost in relief of starter Frank Brooks, who allowed five runs on six hits in six innings and also had two hits. 1B J.R. House had three hits, including his 11th home run. CF Rich Thompson had two hits.
LYNCHBURG (37-37) was swept in a doubleheader vs. Myrtle Beach, 4-1 and 1-0. In the first game, Zach Duke (9-3) tossed a complete seven-inning game, allowing two earned runs on eight hits with nine strikeouts and no walks. 1B Brad Eldred tripled home the lone run. In the nightcap, Jonathan Albaladejo (5-6) lost despite not giving up an earned run. He allowed four hits in six innings. CF Rajai Davis singled for his team's lone hit.
HICKORY (41-34) split a doubleheader at Kannapolis, losing, 2-0, and winning, 4-1. In the first game, Tom Gorzelanny (7-1) tossed a compete game, allowing one earned run on five hits. 2B Craig Stansberry had two doubles. In the nightcap, Josh Shortslef (6-2) pitched into the sixth inning, allowing one run on seven hits. Christopher Hernandez notched his 11th save. DH Anthony Bocchino homered, doubled and drove in two runs. 1B Brad Rea homered and had two RBIs.
WILLIAMSPORT (4-5) won, 4-2, vs. Oneonta. Matthew Guillory (1-0) pitched into the seventh inning and didn't allow a run on three hits. Matt Bimeal picked up his third save. SS Christian Herrea had two hits.
BRADENTON (6-0) won, 3-2, vs. the Twins in 10 innings. Bobby Bradley made the first of two rehabilitation starts, allowing three hits and no runs in two innings. Joseph Salas (1-0) won in relief. 3B John Santiago had three hits with a double and an RBI. CF Kent Wulf doubled and tripled. DH Neil Walker had two hits with an RBI and scored a run.
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Monday, June 28, 2004
By Robert Dvorchak, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
SCOUTING REPORT
Series: Pirates vs. Cardinals, three games at PNC Park.
Times: 7:05 p.m. today and tomorrow, 12:35 p.m. Wednesday.
TV/radio: All games on Fox Sports Net; all games on KDKA-AM (1020) and the Pirates Radio Network.
Probable starters: RHP Jeff Suppan (6-5, 3.75 ERA), RHP Chris Carpenter (8-2, 3.61 ERA) and RHP Matt Morris (8-6, 4.27 ERA) for the Cardinals; RHP Kris Benson (5-7, 5.11 ERA), LHP Sean Burnett (0-2, 4.15 ERA) and RHP Kip Wells (3-5, 5.03 ERA) for the Pirates.
Pirates: At 11-22, the Pirates have the worst home record in the majors while the Cardinals have the best road record (26-12). ... Benson is 1-1 with a 9.75 ERA in two starts against the Cardinals this season. Lifetime, he is 7-4 with a 4.75 ERA in 12 starts. ... Jason Kendall has made 30 consecutive starts behind the plate. ... The Pirates have homered in their past 15 games.
Cardinals: The National League Central Division leaders are 5-1 against the Pirates this season, including 4-0 at PNC Park. ... Suppan is 2-0 against his former team in two starts this season and has a 2.09 ERA on the road. ... Morris leads the NL with 24 home runs allowed. ... The Cardinals are hitting .274 as a team, the highest mark in the NL.
On deck: After a day off, Pirates have a four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park; the Cardinals return home for a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners.
NOTEBOOK
* There is no limit on the number of pitches a Pirates starter will throw, but manager Lloyd McClendon said there was no way he was sending Oliver Perez back out for the eighth inning after he threw 115 pitches Saturday, and general manager Dave Littlefield said it is prudent not to overwork a 22-year-old left-hander who is one of the brightest pitching prospects the Pirates have had in years. "We are cognizant of the big picture," Littlefield said on his weekly KDKA-AM radio show. "These guys have so much value to us. We're going to keep an eye on these guys for a while." Perez matched a career high with 13 strikeouts in that game, and he has been particularly tough against the Reds. Barry Larkin, for example, is thinking of returning for a 20th season. "It would be helpful if I didn't have to come back and face a guy like Oliver Perez." Added Reds manager Dave Miley: "There's a reason he was in the [Brian] Giles trade. He's got pretty good stuff." Perez has 102 strikeouts for the season, one more than Roger Clemens. His ratio of 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings leads the National League.
* The previous time the Pirates faced the Cardinals, McClendon and Tony La Russa were ejected and suspended for two games for an on-field confrontation stemming from hitters getting hit by pitches. McClendon said at the time there would be no carryover, and he repeated his sentiments yesterday. "I tell people this all the time, and for some reason they have a hard time understanding this. I consider Tony a friend. Tony and I are very competitive, but there's never anything personal, and I never hold grudges. That stuff is over with. I have to win games. Tony's not worried about me, and I'm not worried about Tony. We're trying to win games."
* It was hoped that C Humberto Cota, on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique, could resume swinging a bat this weekend, but he felt some discomfort while doing some exercises with a medicine ball. He may be able to take batting practice on the homestand that begins today. Repeated injuries have prompted Cota to think about not playing winter ball in his native Mexico this year because he thinks overwork may have contributed to the injuries. "I just want to see what I can do for a whole year if I'm healthy," Cota said.
*The Pirates will know in a week if 3B Jose Bautista, who was lost in the Rule 5 draft, is coming back to them. Bautista was designated for assignment Friday by the Devil Rays, who have until Sunday to trade him or put him on waivers. If no other team claims him, Bautista must be offered back to the Pirates before the Devil Rays could assign him to the minor leagues. "We'll certainly take him back if he's offered back," Littlefield said.
*Dr. John McCollister, author of 19 books, including "Tales from the Pirates Dugout," will be signing copies of his book from 5:30 to 7 p.m. today in the Pirates Outfitters store at the Federal Street entrance to PNC Park.
MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT
Saturday's results
NASHVILLE (36-39) lost, 7-5, at Colorado Springs. Blake Stein (0-1) lost in relief of starter Frank Brooks, who allowed five runs on six hits in six innings and also had two hits. 1B J.R. House had three hits, including his 11th home run. CF Rich Thompson had two hits.
LYNCHBURG (37-37) was swept in a doubleheader vs. Myrtle Beach, 4-1 and 1-0. In the first game, Zach Duke (9-3) tossed a complete seven-inning game, allowing two earned runs on eight hits with nine strikeouts and no walks. 1B Brad Eldred tripled home the lone run. In the nightcap, Jonathan Albaladejo (5-6) lost despite not giving up an earned run. He allowed four hits in six innings. CF Rajai Davis singled for his team's lone hit.
HICKORY (41-34) split a doubleheader at Kannapolis, losing, 2-0, and winning, 4-1. In the first game, Tom Gorzelanny (7-1) tossed a compete game, allowing one earned run on five hits. 2B Craig Stansberry had two doubles. In the nightcap, Josh Shortslef (6-2) pitched into the sixth inning, allowing one run on seven hits. Christopher Hernandez notched his 11th save. DH Anthony Bocchino homered, doubled and drove in two runs. 1B Brad Rea homered and had two RBIs.
WILLIAMSPORT (4-5) won, 4-2, vs. Oneonta. Matthew Guillory (1-0) pitched into the seventh inning and didn't allow a run on three hits. Matt Bimeal picked up his third save. SS Christian Herrea had two hits.
BRADENTON (6-0) won, 3-2, vs. the Twins in 10 innings. Bobby Bradley made the first of two rehabilitation starts, allowing three hits and no runs in two innings. Joseph Salas (1-0) won in relief. 3B John Santiago had three hits with a double and an RBI. CF Kent Wulf doubled and tripled. DH Neil Walker had two hits with an RBI and scored a run.
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