PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pirates starter Trevor Cahill came out during the second inning on Wednesday with left calf discomfort. It’s a game the Pirates would end up losing in St. Louis 8-5.
After striking out to end the inning in the top of the second, Cahill would labor on the mound. The veteran walked the first two batters and then hit the third.
Cahill said battling through the discomfort in his calf just got to the point where he couldn’t compete anymore. He doesn’t believe it’s anything serious, it was something he just couldn’t get through.
In his first year with the Pirates, Cahill is 1-5 with a 6.81 ERA.
Pirates manager Derek Shelton said if Cahill can’t go in his next start, Chad Kuhl is not an option. The right-handed Kuhl made his first rehab start in AAA and Shelton said he needs at least another one.
Underwood struggles
Duane Underwood would come in cold for Cahill, give up a sacrifice fly, a two-run single and two more RBI singles to make it 6-0.
Underwood, making his 17th appearance, has given up 10 runs in his last 11.2 innings. The former Cub has also allowed 10 of 11 inherited runs to score.
“What was missing early on was the ability to locate breaking balls,” Shelton said. “It became all fastballs and when you go all fastballs to this club. They were able to execute that.”
“It is a really tough spot. You come in. You are warming up in front of everyone. Most guys rush through that. It’s one of the tougher situations a pitcher can come in, in the middle of the game, bases loaded nobody out.”
Rule 5 pick Luis Oviedo gave up a couple of runs on 4 hits over 2 innings.
Polanco hitting
Gregory Polanco homered and drove in 3 runs.
“I know I have to be ready for a fastball,” Polanco said of the home run. “I know Flaherty likes his fastball up in the zone a lot. I was ready for it, trying to stay short (with his swing) and put a good swing on it.”
Polanco said he’s been working hard to shorten his swing and believes he won’t give up power because of how hard pitchers throw in today’s game.
The Bucs right fielder has hit safely in 6 of his last 7 games with his average up to .231.
Up Next
Wil Crowe (0-2, 4.35 ERA) makes his fifth start as the Pirates start a 4 game series in Atlanta Thursday at 7:20p on 93.7 The Fan.