The Pirates continued their hot streak last night, winning for the sixth time in their last seven games in the opener of their series with Milwaukee. Joe Block recaps the action.
Andrew McCutchen will be examined today to determine if he can play tonight. The Pirates’ designated hitter appeared to injure himself on a swing in the fifth inning and then after he ripped his second double of the night, he pulled up between second and third on Connor Joe’s line drive out to center field. He was removed from the game with a sore Achilles tendon and was assisted off the field, but he said afterward he is fine, although noting “Father time is undefeated.” McCutchen remains one home run shy of 300 for his career.
The Pirates will look to make it two in a row against the first-place Brewers tonight. They’ve not announced their starter. Milwaukee will throw right-hander Brandon Woodruff (3-1, 2.70 ERA). It’s a 6:10 airtime, 6:35 first pitch on WCCS.
The Pirates made a flurry of roster moves over the weekend, activating pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski from the injured list and calling up outfielder Miguel Andujar. They also activated pitcher Max Kranick and assigned him to Indianapolis, marking his official return from rehab for Tommy John surgery after more than a year. Yesterday, they called up pitcher Hunter Stratton from Indianapolis. They also designated pitchers Rob Zastryzny and Yohan Ramirez and outfielder Cal Mitchell for assignment.
ALTOONA CURVE
Altoona opens a six-game series against Harrisburg tonight at PNG Field, their last home series of the season before they finish up the year with six games at Akron. The Curve will start Jackson Wolf, Anthony Solometo, and Paul Skenes in the first three games, with Friday’s starter still unannounced. The Thursday game will feature Skenes, the top overall draft pick this year, against his former LSU teammate, Dylan Crews, who was taken second overall. On Saturday, the Curve will give the first 1,000 fans a special poster featuring the two future stars.
