Pre-Game News 9/24: Owens, Presley to be honored; Astros vs Pirates

Before the Pirates open up the final three game series at PNC Park this season, Rudy Owens and Alex Presley will be awarded as Pittsburgh’s minor league pitcher and player of the year.

Owens spent the 2010 season in Double-A finishing 12-6 with a 2.36 ERA in 26 starts. His ERA was the lowest among pitchers in the Eastern League and his 132 strikeouts were third best. This is his second straight year receiving this award.

Presley had a great 2010 season. He spent 67 games in Double-A batting .350 and was promoted to Triple-A where he hit .294 in 69 games. Presley’s breakout season allowed him to be a September call-up and make his major league debut.

 

 

• The Pirates need to sweep the Astros in order to finish the season .500 at home.

 

 

Pitching Matchup:

Brett Myers (13-7, 2.76 ERA)

Vs.

James McDonald (4-4, 3.50 ERA)

Myers streak is still intact –31 straight starts pitching at least six innings–. Myers 2.76 ERA in third best in the National League. He is 2-0 with a 2.18 ERA against the Pirates this season. Myers picked up his 13th win his last start against the Reds allowing no runs on six hits through seven innings.

McDonald’s streak was broken his last start –20 innings without allowing a run–. J-Mac picked up his fourth win pitching five innings (101 pitches) allowing two runs on four hits, striking out six. McDonald has been dominant at PNC Park since being acquired from the Dodgers going 4-1 with a 2.40 ERA.

 

Astros Lineup:

Bourgeois 8

Sanchez 6

Pence 9

Lee 7

Keppinger 4

Johnson 5

Quintero 2

Wallace 3

Myers 1

 

Pirates Lineup:

McCutchen 8

Tabata 7

Walker 4

Jones 3

Alvarez 5

Bowker 9

Cedeno 6

Snyder 2

McDonald 1