Game 102 : Pirates @ Braves : 07.27.11 : Live Game Thread!

[Kipper]

[Kipper]

Reserved

[Kipper]

I prob won't be in for any of this one unless it goes 19 innings. Got a few things to do later on ...

LET'S GO BUCS!!!

[Palmetto Steel]

Pirates-Braves Preview
STATS LLC

It won't be easy for the Pittsburgh Pirates to bounce back after a difficult loss, especially since they will be facing one of the NL's best pitchers.

The Atlanta Braves, meanwhile, will be without their top run producer for an extended stretch.

The Pirates continue this four-game road set Wednesday night against the Braves, who will send Jair Jurrjens to the mound in search of his league-leading 13th victory while coping with the loss of Brian McCann.

Pittsburgh (53-48) lost 4-3 in 19 innings Tuesday as the longest game in Turner Field history ended at 1:50 a.m. Atlanta (60-44) won when Julio Lugo scored from third base on a contested play at the plate.

With runners on second and third and one out in the 19th, Scott Proctor hit a grounder to third baseman Pedro Alvarez, whose throw to catcher Michael McKenry easily beat Lugo to the plate.

Lugo tried to avoid McKenry's tag with a pop-up slide. Replays indicated McKenry made the tag, but home plate umpire Jerry Meals called Lugo safe.

"I didn't feel the tag," Lugo said. "He made the right call. I got in there."

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle argued the call vigorously, following Meals off the field as the Braves celebrated.

"The game tonight deserved way better than that," Hurdle said.

It matched the longest game in the majors this year, a 19-inning contest between the Phillies and Reds on May 25.

Although the Braves won the game, they suffered a major blow when McCann strained his left oblique in the 10th. The catcher, tied for the team lead with 18 homers to go with a team-best 55 RBIs, will be placed on the 15-day disabled list before Wednesday's game.

"That's a big bat in the lineup," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

David Ross replaced McCann on Tuesday.

Ross could be behind the plate as Jurrjens (12-3, 2.44 ERA) looks to recover from two straight shaky outings. Jurrjens failed to record a decision in each of them while allowing 10 runs over 11 innings.

He's still tied for the NL lead in wins, although fellow 12-game winner Cole Hamels also pitches Wednesday.

The right-hander was 4-0 with a 1.03 ERA in his four starts prior to the last two. Jurrjens had given up five homers all season before allowing three during the Braves' 6-4 win Friday at Cincinnati.

Jurrjens is 2/3 with a 2.35 ERA in five starts against the Pirates, including a 2-0 road win May 24 in which he lasted 7 2/3 innings.

His counterpart, Paul Maholm (6-10, 3.26), has a good history against the Braves. In five starts versus Atlanta, Maholm is 1-1 with a 1.64 ERA -- his lowest against any opponent.

The left-hander, however, is 1-5 with a 4.45 ERA in nine road outings, and he suffered Friday's 6-4 home loss to St. Louis by allowing five runs over six innings.

Pittsburgh will be hoping for some offense after failing to score over Tuesday's final 17 innings. The Pirates were 2 for 15 with runners in scoring position while the Braves went 2 for 19.

Braves center fielder Jordan Schafer has not started since last Wednesday due to a jammed left middle finger, but played 11 innings Tuesday after entering in the ninth.

[Palmetto Steel]

Starting Pitchers

Pittsburgh: Maholm (6-10, 3.26 ERA)
Atlanta: Jurrjens (12-3, 2.44 ERA)

[War Machine]

Some initial wayward pitching from Jurrjens. Alvarez strikes out to strand two. What a shocking development!

[Palmetto Steel]

Nothing but a radio stream available from my "go to" sites.... Guess I'll be following the game via "gamecast"...

[War Machine]

Maholm seemed to get through his first pitches pretty well. Some good fielding there. Looks like the men on the field are focused.

[War Machine]

Jurrjens' pitches so far seem to have a tendency to fall away.

[War Machine]

Ramirez drops at the wall. Pearce to second.

[Beezy]

Ill check in when the kids are in bed. Lets go Bucs.

[War Machine]

Exit Wood, SO. Chasing some very off-target pitches.

[War Machine]

Briefly distracted by cake frosting here...

Solo HR! Note to fans: Don't try to catch HR balls with your face.

[War Machine]

Alvarez avoids a strike out!

[War Machine]

On to the middle of the 6th. 1-0, the difference is Jones' solo.