Pirates News

Options galore for Pirates in right field

By JOHN PERROTTO

POSTED: June 28, 2009

Save | Print | Email | Read comments | Post a comment

Photos

PITTSBURGH -- John Russell has more right fielders than he knows what to do with.

The Pirates manger has Brandon Moss, who began the season as the starter and is swinging a hot bat.

He has Delwyn Young, who seemingly gets at least two hits every time he is in the starting lineup.

Then there is Eric Hinske, the veteran role player with pop in his bat, and Steve Pearce, two years removed from having one of the best minor-league seasons by a Pirates' prospect in eons.

So, what is a manager to do with so many options?

"Put all their names in a hat and pull one out," Russell deadpanned Sunday before the Pirates lost to the Kansas City Royals, 3-2, in the finale of a three-game series at PNC Park. "Seriously, we have a lot of options and it's a good problem to have. You can't have enough good players."

Hinske got the start Sunday against major-league ERA leader Zack Greinke because of his familiarity with the Royals ace from his American League days. Hinske went 0-for-4.

Meanwhile, Moss and Young are both hot at the moment.

Moss is 9-for-20 (.450) with five doubles and five RBIs in his last eight games following a 0-for-8 streak. Since May 12, Moss is hitting .340 (35-for-103) with 13 doubles, one home run, 16 RBIs and 16 runs scored.

Young is hitting .391 (18-for-46) in his last 20 games. He also has a .346 batting average (27-for-78) in 20 starts this season, including 15 in right field.

"When I sit down with (bench coach) Gary Varsho and (hitting coach) Donnie Long each day to figure out the lineup, we take into account a lot of factors," Russell said. "You look at the pitching matchup, who's hot, who might need a day off. You try to come up with the best answer. Right now, it seems to be working out well for us."

"You'd love to see one guy go bananas and take the job for the next 10 years but it's great to have two younger players swinging the bat the way Brandon and Delwyn are right now," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. "It's fun to watch."

INJURY UPDATE: Reliever Tyler Yates will resume throwing today at the Pirates' spring training facility in Bradenton, Fla. He has been on the disabled list since May 16 with an inflamed elbow.

Left-hander Phil Dumatrait, who has been out all season after having shoulder surgery last August, will throw a 50-pitch simulated game Tuesday in Bradenton. There is still no timetable on when he will be able to start pitching for the Pirates' Bradenton farm club in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League.

Rookie left-handed reliever Donnie Veal, on the DL with a strained right groin, will remain at Class AAA Indianapolis until his 30-day rehab assignment ends on July 8.

SNELL UPDATE: Right-hander Ian Snell was overpowering in his first start for Indianapolis on Sunday, three days after being optioned there. He struck out 17 in seven innings but did not get the decision as the Indians beat visiting Toledo, 2-1, in 10 innings in the International League.

Snell walked the first batter of the game then amazingly struck out 13 in a row. He wound up allowing one run and two hits while walking one.

He threw 108 pitches, 70 for strikes.

UP NEXT: The Pirates open a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs at 7:05 tonight with left-hander Zach Duke (8-5, 3.09) scheduled to start against Rich Harden (4-4, 5.10). Duke has won his last five starts at PNC Park.

jperrotto@piratesreport.com

Share: