With Milwaukee having lost last night to the Tigers, the Pirates began the day today with a one-game lead over the Brewers in the National League Central Division, and while it is very early in the season, the Bucs have the second-best record in all of baseball, at 16-7. Tonight, they put that record to the test against one of the National League’s best teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Joe Block has a preview.
While the Pirates have had a wealth of good news stories so far this season, they are still suffering a rash of injuries throughout their system. Hot prospect Endy Rodriguez has been placed on the injured list at Indianapolis with a forearm injury suffered while making a throw on Sunday. Former top draft choice Travis Swaggerty is down with an illness. And after winning his last start for Altoona last Thursday, the Curve’s Jared Jones, another top prospect, landed on the 7-day injured list on Friday.
Last year’s number one draft pick, top-ranked prospect Termarr Johnson, finally returned to action last weekend for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in spring training. In two games with Bradenton, Johnson is 2-for-5 with two 2-run singles.
ALTOONA CURVE
The Curve open a 6-game series at Reading tonight. Right-hander Kyle Nicolas (1-1, 5.85 ERA) starts for the Curve. Altoona is coming off a 4-1 homestand against Bowie.
