PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - Game 1 of this 4-game weekend series against the Milwaukee Brewers did not go as planned for the Pirates as the Brewers jumped on the Pirates early with 3 home runs in the first 3 innings and then were able to hold off the Pirates rally attempt late with 4 runs in the 9th inning off of Richard Rodriguez.
The Pirates are now 27-28 on the season and our 4.5 games back of the Chicago Cubs and 4 games back of the Brewers in the NL Central Division race. Also an early look at the NL Wild Card race, the Pirates are 2.5 games back of the 2nd Wild Card.
KEEP THE BELL RINGING
With today being the last day of May, Josh Bell has already set the club record for total bases during the month with 92. After having a down year by his,and anyone's, standards last season, Bell has bounced back so far this season and Manager Clint Hurdle has enjoyed watching him this month and looks forward to seeing what the rest of the season has in store for Bell.
During the media's pregame chat with Manager Clint Hurdle, there was a question asked about players needing to give themselves honest self evaluation's and being able to realize that just being O.K is not a good place to be.
Taking a look around the NL Central on this Friday, the Chicago Cubs (31-23) are a half game up on the Brewers (32-25) and are 4.5 games up on the Pirates (27-28). While the St. Louis Cardinals (27-28) are tied with the Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds (26-30) are 6 games behind the Cubs.
Milwaukee Brewers at Pittsburgh Pirates, 7:05 pm (on 93.7 The Fan and AT&T Sportsnet)
Washington Nationals at Cincinnati Reds, 7:10 pm
Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals, 8:15 pm
Tonight (7:05 pm): Chris Archer, PIT (1-5, 5.75 ERA) vs Jhoulys Chacin, MIL (3-6, 4.88 ERA)
Saturday (4:35 pm): Nick Kingham, PIT (1-1, 8.28 ERA) vs Brandon Woodruff, MIL (7-1, 3.22 ERA)
Sunday (1:35 pm): TBA, PIT vs Gio Gonzalez, MIL (2-1, 3.19 ERA)
Monday: OFF DAY
Indianapolis (AAA, 30-20/1st Place): The Indians open a series at home tonight at 7:15 pm against Gwinnett. Outfielder Jason Martin is batting .255 with 6 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs and 10 RBI in 24 games
Altoona (AA, 23-27/9.5 GB of 1st): The Curve after getting rained out twice and having the first game of their doubleheader suspended last night return to Altoona to open a series against New Hampshire tonight at 6 pm. Third Baseman Hunter Owen is batting .291 with 12 doubles, 1 triple, 10 home runs and 33 RBI in 49 games.
Bradenton (A, 31-21/1 GB of 1st): The Marauders finished off a series sweep of Lakeland last night and will open up a series in Tampa tonight at 6:30 pm. Second Baseman Robbie Glendinning is batting .317 with 12 doubles, 1 triple, 7 home runs and 23 RBI in 33 games.
Greensboro (A, 35-17/6 GB of 1st): The Grasshoppers opened up a home series against Lakewood with an 11-10 win last night and game 2 of the series is tonight at 7 pm. First Baseman Mason Martin is batting .263 with 11 doubles, 2 triples, 15 home runs and 53 RBI in 50 games.