BULLPEN BLUES
With the starters working five innings or less in eight of the first 14 games since the All-Star break, a strain has been placed on the bullpen. The increased workload has been magnified because of Manzanillo's limited availability and Ron Villone's recent ineffectiveness: Villone has allowed six runs in his past two appearances and has a 6.08 ERA in 23 relief appearances.
That doesn't give McClendon many options when the Pirates need to hold a lead.
"In no way do I feel handcuffed," he said.
McClendon said he wouldn't hesitate to use Villone in a situation when the game is on the line.
" I have full confidence Ron can help us," McClendon said. "I'll continue to run him out there because I believe in him."
TRADE TALK
The non-waiver trading deadline is less than one week away, but don't expect catcher Jason Kendall to be going anywhere.
The rumored Kendall-for-Denny Neagle trade died a couple of weeks ago and no other deals are on the table, according to Kendall's agent, Dan Lozano.
"I haven't heard anything, and (the Pirates) would have to go through me," Lozano said, referring to Kendall's blanket no-trade clause. "Everything is dead in the water."
DAY OF REST
Kendall didn't start yesterday even though McClendon indicated Tuesday that he would. The situation changed because of the 7-2 loss to the Reds in the second game of the series.
"He caught a tough game and lost a lot of fluids," McClendon said. "His legs are probably shot."
With Kendall getting the day off, Keith Osik made his 12th start behind the plate and his first start in the second spot of the batting order. It was the first time Osik had batted second since July 23, 1998, when he went 2 for 5 against the Florida Marlins. Osik went 1 for 4 and scored a run. He is 4 for 22 in his career while batting second.
Shortstop Jack Wilson was elevated to the leadoff spot for the first time this season. The Pirates were 4-1 last year when Wilson batted leadoff.
MEETING MAY BE MOVED
The Pirates were scheduled to meet prior to today's game in Houston to decide whether to deliver a strike vote and, if so, which date to select.
But player representative Kevin Young indicated yesterday that the meeting might be switched to Friday because of today's early starting time. The game begins at 4:05 p.m. If the Pirates take batting practice ? as expected ? Young said the meeting will be moved to Friday.
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Pirates-Astros scouting report
Pitching matchups: Today, Kris Benson (3-4, 5.34 ERA) vs. Kirk Saarloos (1-2, 11.85), 4:05 p.m.; Friday, Josh Fogg (10-7, 4.06 ERA) vs. Dave Mlicki (3-6, 3.90), 8:05 p.m.; Saturday, Jimmy Anderson (8-10, 4.98 ERA) vs. Roy Oswalt (10-6, 3.60), 8:05 p.m.; Sunday, Kip Wells (10-7, 3.39 ERA) vs. Wade Miller (7-3, 4.59), 2:35 p.m.
Notes: The Pirates are 6-7 against the Astros this season and swept a two-game series last week at Minute Maid Park. ... The Astros had a chance Wednesday night to move back to .500 for the first time since May 18 when they were 21-21. ... Mlicki hasn't pitched for the Astros since May 25 because of a strained intercostal muscle in his left side. ... The Astros and Rockies are the only two teams in the majors without a complete game pitched this season. ... Matchups to ponder: Brian Giles is 5 for 14 against Mlicki, 3 for 18 against Oswalt and 0 for 8 against Miller. Jason Kendall is 10 for 32 against Mlicki, and Pokey Reese is 0 for 11 against closer Billy Wagner. Three Astros have had varying degrees of success against Benson. Daryle Ward is 6 for 20 with two homers, Craig Biggio is 3 for 17 and Richard Hidalgo is 1 for 16.
With the starters working five innings or less in eight of the first 14 games since the All-Star break, a strain has been placed on the bullpen. The increased workload has been magnified because of Manzanillo's limited availability and Ron Villone's recent ineffectiveness: Villone has allowed six runs in his past two appearances and has a 6.08 ERA in 23 relief appearances.
That doesn't give McClendon many options when the Pirates need to hold a lead.
"In no way do I feel handcuffed," he said.
McClendon said he wouldn't hesitate to use Villone in a situation when the game is on the line.
" I have full confidence Ron can help us," McClendon said. "I'll continue to run him out there because I believe in him."
TRADE TALK
The non-waiver trading deadline is less than one week away, but don't expect catcher Jason Kendall to be going anywhere.
The rumored Kendall-for-Denny Neagle trade died a couple of weeks ago and no other deals are on the table, according to Kendall's agent, Dan Lozano.
"I haven't heard anything, and (the Pirates) would have to go through me," Lozano said, referring to Kendall's blanket no-trade clause. "Everything is dead in the water."
DAY OF REST
Kendall didn't start yesterday even though McClendon indicated Tuesday that he would. The situation changed because of the 7-2 loss to the Reds in the second game of the series.
"He caught a tough game and lost a lot of fluids," McClendon said. "His legs are probably shot."
With Kendall getting the day off, Keith Osik made his 12th start behind the plate and his first start in the second spot of the batting order. It was the first time Osik had batted second since July 23, 1998, when he went 2 for 5 against the Florida Marlins. Osik went 1 for 4 and scored a run. He is 4 for 22 in his career while batting second.
Shortstop Jack Wilson was elevated to the leadoff spot for the first time this season. The Pirates were 4-1 last year when Wilson batted leadoff.
MEETING MAY BE MOVED
The Pirates were scheduled to meet prior to today's game in Houston to decide whether to deliver a strike vote and, if so, which date to select.
But player representative Kevin Young indicated yesterday that the meeting might be switched to Friday because of today's early starting time. The game begins at 4:05 p.m. If the Pirates take batting practice ? as expected ? Young said the meeting will be moved to Friday.
=========
Pirates-Astros scouting report
Pitching matchups: Today, Kris Benson (3-4, 5.34 ERA) vs. Kirk Saarloos (1-2, 11.85), 4:05 p.m.; Friday, Josh Fogg (10-7, 4.06 ERA) vs. Dave Mlicki (3-6, 3.90), 8:05 p.m.; Saturday, Jimmy Anderson (8-10, 4.98 ERA) vs. Roy Oswalt (10-6, 3.60), 8:05 p.m.; Sunday, Kip Wells (10-7, 3.39 ERA) vs. Wade Miller (7-3, 4.59), 2:35 p.m.
Notes: The Pirates are 6-7 against the Astros this season and swept a two-game series last week at Minute Maid Park. ... The Astros had a chance Wednesday night to move back to .500 for the first time since May 18 when they were 21-21. ... Mlicki hasn't pitched for the Astros since May 25 because of a strained intercostal muscle in his left side. ... The Astros and Rockies are the only two teams in the majors without a complete game pitched this season. ... Matchups to ponder: Brian Giles is 5 for 14 against Mlicki, 3 for 18 against Oswalt and 0 for 8 against Miller. Jason Kendall is 10 for 32 against Mlicki, and Pokey Reese is 0 for 11 against closer Billy Wagner. Three Astros have had varying degrees of success against Benson. Daryle Ward is 6 for 20 with two homers, Craig Biggio is 3 for 17 and Richard Hidalgo is 1 for 16.
