Blogs

Charlie Morton has scrapped his sinker, relying instead on his four-seam fastball. GM Neal Huntington explained why ditching a pitch from his arsenal should make Morton a better pitcher:

Right-hander Brian Bass today was designated for assignment. That opened a roster spot for righty Ross Ohlendorf, who was activated off the disabled list to start tonight’s game against the Reds.

Jeff Karstens, who tossed six scoreless innings Saturday against the Cardinals, will move into the bullpen and lefty Brian Burres will remain in the starting rotation.

How ’bout some love for reliever Joel Hanrahan? The right-hander got the call in the eighth inning tonight, with the Pirates clinging to a 1-0 lead. He made a little jam for himself — against the top of the Cardinals’ lineup — but escaped.

Andrew McCutchen doubled in his first at-bat tonight against the Cardinals. It marked the fourth straight game he’s gotten a hit in the first inning.

Pirates second baseman Aki Iwamura was not in the lineup Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals.

There was so much weird stuff in Friday’s 4-3 loss against the Cardinals, it did not all fit the game story you’ll read in tomorrow’s Trib.

The hottest team in the Pirates’ farm system — in fact, one of the top teams in all of the minors — is Class A Bradenton.

Lastings Milledge was able to laugh about the grand slam that wasn’t in the fourth inning of Thursday’s 11-1 blowout win over the Chicago Cubs. His teammates were able to laugh about it, too, and apparently there will be some penance to be paid tomorrow in the weight room.

Here’s today’s lineup for the Pirates: