Pirates Preview: Back at PNC Park to Start Lengthy Homestand

It was a brutal road trip for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who went 1-5 and were swept by the Oakland A’s after dropping two of three to the San Francisco Giants.

The Pirates (14-18) are in the cellar of the National League Central amidst a horrid stretch of offense over the last two-plus weeks.

The Bucs return home on Friday night to face the Colorado Rockies (7-24) to kick off a nine-game home stand. Maybe some home cooking will help turn things around.

First pitch is 6:40 ET and the game will be televised on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Some clouds with temperatures in the upper-70s for the start of the game. Chance for thunderstorms in the late innings. Winds W-NW at 7-8 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out LHP Martín Pérez (1-1, 2.86 ERA)

Pérez allowed one unearned run in six innings against the San Francisco Giants in the Pirates’ extra-innings win on Saturday.

It was more of the same for the veteran left-hander, who is turning into a savvy pickup by the Pirates as a free agent signing in the offseason.

Pérez’s 2.86 ERA is tops amongst the five pitchers in the Pirates’ rotation is things currently stand.

Pérez has made six previous starts against the Rockies in his career. Against Colorado, he’s 2-2 with a 3.74 ERA.

The Colorado Rockies Will Send Out RHP Cal Quantrill (0-3, 5.34 ERA)

Quantrill is still searching for his first win in his first season since joining the Rockies.

It’s been a struggle so far this season for the right-hander, though he put together back-to-back strong starts before faltering in his last outing.

In his last start against the Astros on Saturday, Quantrill was tagged for six runs and allowed a pair of home runs in five innings.

Quantrill has pitched four times against the Pirates with three of those as a starting pitcher. He’s 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA against Pittsburgh.

Rockies Hitters vs. Pérez

• Charlie Blackmon: 6 for 10, one double, one RBI
• Elias Díaz: 3 for 5, one double, one RBI
• Ryan McMahon: 3 for 5, one double, one strikeout
• Jake Cave: 1 for 5, two strikeouts
• 2 for 4, one walk, one strikeout
• Brenton Doyle: 0 for 3, two strikeouts
• Ezequiel Tovar: 0 for 3, two strikeouts
• Alan Trejo: 0 for 3, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Quantrill

• Bryan Reynolds: 4 for 7, one strikeout
• Michael A. Taylor: 3 for 7, one walk, one strikeout
• Ke’Bryan Hayes: 3 for 4, one home run, one RBI, one walk
• Edward Olivares: 1 for 3, one strikeout
• Rowdy Tellez: 0 for 3, two strikeouts

Tidbits

• On their six-game road trip, the Pirates went 2 for 36 with runners in scoring position. Two hits. In 36 at-bats. That’s a .056 batting average.
• Dating back to Apr. 14, the Pirates have scored more than four runs in a game once. It came on Apr. 25 in a 7-5 loss to the Brewers.
• Quinn Priester, who started for the Pirates in Wednesday’s loss, has been charged with two earned runs in his last 12 innings pitched (1.50 ERA). He had been charged with 47 earned runs in his first 54.1 innings pitched (7.79 ERA)

Links

Perrotto: It’s Getting Time for Oneil Cruz to Learn Baseball

Pirates Prospect Watch: Marauders Combine for One-Hitter

Floyd: Pirates’ Replacement for Rowdy Tellez Ready In Triple-A

‘It’s Almost Scary’: Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley Weighs in on A’s Star Closer, Pittsburgh Native Mason Miller in PBN Exclusive

Around the Network:

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dan’s Daily: Dan Bylsma Rumored NHL Return, Penguins Problem

Steelers Now: Did the Steelers Make the Right Decision with Najee Harris?

Pittsburgh Sports Now: Pitt Agrees to New Home-and-Home Series With UCF