Pre-game Info, PIT @ CHC 9/1 2:20 PM
Lastings Milledge is still having problems in right field. Nearly three months ago, Milledge made the switch to right field after the Pirates called-up Jose Tabata to play left.
“We’re working him hard, hitting him balls during [batting practice], but he’s having a hard time making the adjustment [from] left to right,” Russell said. “A lot of times people think it’s tougher to go from right to left, but he’s not seeing the ball well. It’s just getting that first step to be a little bit better.”
Milledge has continued to take horrible routes and misjudges the ball becoming a less-than average fielder. The gaffes he had made are starting to be of concern and he is splitting playing time in right field with Ryan Doumit.
Lastings needs to improve his defense drastically if he wants to be a starter in 2011.
- Jeff Clement was cleared to take batting pratice and took part in the team workout on Tuesday afternoon. He will head to Indianapolis on Wenesday to begin rehab. He still has irritation while running but needs to determine if surgery is needed on his left-knee.
Wednesday’s Pitching Matchup:
James McDonald 2-3, 4.97 ERA
VS
Tom Gorzelanny 7-8, 3.98 ERA
J-Mac got the loss his last start against the Brewers. He pitched 6.1 innings, gave up six runs on seven hits, walked two and struck out seven. Kosuke Fukudome is the only Cubs starter to have faced McDonald. (0-1, .000 AVG)
Gorzelanny had a rough month of August going 1-3 with a 5.46 ERA. He lost against the Reds on 8/27, giving up six runs on seven hits through five innings.
Pirates Lineup:
Andrew McCutchen CF
Jose Tabata LF
Neil Walker 2B
Garrett Jones 1B
Pedro Alvarez 3B
Ryan Doumit RF
Ronny Cedeno SS
Chris Snyder C
James McDonald P
Cubs Lineup:
Blake Dewitt 2B
Starlin Castro SS
Kosuke Fukudome RF
Micah Hoffpauir 1B
Tyler Colvin CF
Alfonso Soriano LF
Jeff Baker 3B Darwin Barney 3B
Koyie Hill C
Tom Gorzelanny P
Kristy Robinson
