Pre-game Notes 9/22: Cardinals vs Pirates

Notes:

• The Pirates are on a four-game win streak –the first time since August 2009– and are 7-7 in their last 14 games. If the Bucs can extend the streak to five games it would be the first time since August 17-22 in 2009.
• Since the All-Star break Jose Tabata ranks second in the National League with hits (81) behind Carlos Gonzalez who has 84. Since Tabata made his Major League debut, he tied with Joey Votto for third in the National League in hits with 109.
• Since September 5th the Pirates starters have a 3.27 ERA in eight home games and 4.02 ERA in seven games on the road. During this span the Pirates have produced a 3.48 ERA –the fourth best in the National league and seventh in the Majors.

 

Pitching Matchup:

Kyle Lohse (4-7, 6.75 ERA)

Vs.

Charlie Morton (1-11, 8.61 ERA)

Lohse is coming off back-to-back wins for the first time since 2009. He went five innings allowing three runs on seven hits, walked one and struck out four during his last outing against the Padres. Lohse is 5-0 with a 2.26 ERA lifetime against the Pirates.

Morton is making his 15th start of the season, his fourth since being re-called on September 28th. Progress has been slow for Charlie but things are looking better for the righty. His last start against the Mets he went five innings giving up two runs on five hits, walked four and struck out one. In Morton’s last two starts he is 0-0 with a 3.97 ERA.

 

Cardinals Lineup:

Schumaker 4

Jay 9

Pujols 3

Holliday 7

Rasmus 8

Descalso 5

Pagnozzi 2

Ryan 6

Lohse 1

 

Pirates Lineup:

McCutchen 8

Tabata 7

Walker 4

Jones 3

Alvarez 5

Bowker 9

Cedeno 6

Snyder 2

Morton 1