Pre-game Notes: Nationals @ Pirates 9/4

Is Garrett Jones’ slump over? As of right now, it sure looks like it. After having his worst statistical month of August with the Buccos, (15-for-104, .144 AVG) Jones went 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI in Friday’s victory over the Nationals.

“Today it felt good to drive the ball,” Jones said. “I haven’t been feeling the way I wanted to feel — aggressive, under control and short to the ball where I can drive the ball to all fields. Just staying on the ball, driving through it, not thinking too much is the key. I just have to do it on a consistent basis.”

So far in the month of September, Jones is batting .286.

“August was a tough month. I was very inconsistent,” Jones said. “It’s something that I have to constantly work on, and just do drills to avoid getting in that funk where I start pulling off the ball and getting long with my swing.”

 

 

• The Pirates have hit 12 home runs in their past eight games.
• With Friday’s defeat over the Nats, the Pirates improve their home record to 31-36.
• Since Chris Resop has joined the Bucs he has a 2.25 ERA. In 12.2 Innigs pitched he has allowed seven hits, five walks and struck out 16.
• The Pirates had three consecutive batters in the 3, 4 and 5 spots in the lineups combine for seven RBI in Friday’s victory. This has only been done once this season for the Bucco’s, on opening day when Jones, Doumit and Milledge (4, 5 and 6 spots) had seven-RBI as well.

 

 

Saturday’s Pitching Matchup:

John Lannan 6-6, 4.95 ERA

VS

Paul Maholm 7-13, 5.18 ERA

Lannan was 4-1 with a 3.25 ERA in six stars in the month of August. He is coming off of a pretty great outing. He pitched 7.2 innings giving up just one run off eight hits, walked none and struck out four.

Maholm’s inconsistency has been a problem for the Pirates this season. He lasted just 3.1 innings against the Cubs on Monday, marking the fourth time this season he hasn’t completed four innings. Maholm is 0-2 with an 8.04 ERA in his last three starts.  

 

 

Nationals Lineup:

Nyjer Morgan CF

Ian Desmond SS

Ryan Zimmerman 3B

Michael Morse 1B

Roger Bernadina LF

Ivan Rodriguez C

Danny Espinosa 2B

Justin Maxwell RF

John Lannan LHP

Pirates Lineup:

Andrew McCutchen  CF

Jose Tabata  LF

Neil Walker 2B

Garrett Jones  1B

Pedro Alvarez  3B

Lastings Milledge  RF

Ronny Cedeno  SS

Chris Snyder  C

Paul Maholm LHP