Pre-game Notes 9/26: Bowker’s knee feels much better, Astros vs Pirates

After receiving treatment on his right knee on Sunday morning, John Bowker said his knee “feels much better”.

“It’s been sore,” Bowker said. “It just got to the point where it affected how I was able to move.”

Bowker was pulled in the fourth inning of Saturday’s game against the Astros.

He is listed as day-to-day. And will not be in the lineup on Sunday –missing his 11th straight start.

 

Notes:

• Today is the final home game of the 2010 season.
• In the past 19 games, the Pirates starting rotation have posted a 4.03 ERA.
• The Pirates are 6-2 so far during this nine game homestand. If the Pirates defeat the Astros, they will end the season one game under .500 at home.

 

 

 

Pitching Matchup:

LHP J.A. Happ (6-2, 2.99 ERA)

Vs

LHP Paul Maholm (8-15, 5.25 ERA)

Happ is 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA in one start at PNC Park. He received a no-decision his last start after pitching six scoreless innings against the Nationals, striking out six.

Maholm is 5-1 with a 2.10 ERA in seven career starts against the Astros at PNC Park. He picked up the win his last start against the Cardinals. Maholm allowed two runs on seven hits through seven innings of work, striking out four.

 

Cardinals Lineup:

Bourgeois 8

Sanchez 6

Pence 9

Lee 3

Keppinger 4

Michaels 7

Johnson 5

Castro 2

Happ 1

Pirates Lineup:

McCutchen 8

Tabata 7

Walker 4

Jones 9

Alvarez 5

Cedeno 6

LaRoche 3

Snyder 2

Maholm 1