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Wednesday, April 25, 2001

Compiled by Robert Dvorchak

Pirates at Dodgers, 10:10 p.m. today, Dodger Stadium. TV: Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh. Radio: KDKA-AM (1020) and Pirates Radio Network. Ramon Martinez (0-1) is scheduled to start for the Pirates against the Dodgers' Eric Gagne (1-1).

On the Pirates' last trip to California (Sept. 1-6), the club swept the Padres and Dodgers, the team's first perfect West Coast road trip (a minimum of six games) since divisional play began in 1969. Going into the game last night, the Pirates had won four consecutive games at Dodger Stadium, dating to a loss July 17. The Pirates would have to win five of the six games on their only trips to Los Angeles and San Diego this year to have a winning record in April. The Pirates have not had a winning month of April since going 12-10 in 1994. The closest they have been was 12-13 in 1997.

In the first game of every series this year, the Pirates have hit a combined .183 (35 for 91) and have scored a total of 12 runs. The Pirates have gone 1-5 in those games and with a 4.24 ERA.

Pirates batters have walked a major-league low 39 times this season and have received just six walks in the past four games. The Pirates have gone 4-1 when opposing pitchers have walked four or more batters in a game. "That's a Catch-22. If you're taking strikes, people ask why aren't you swinging the bat. If you're swinging the bat, people ask why aren't you being more patient," Manager Lloyd McClendon said. "If you second guess, you can never be wrong."

Francisco Cordova, on the disabled list while rehabbing his surgically repaired right elbow, threw 60 pitches in four innings of an extended spring training game yesterday in Florida. Pitching coach Spin Williams said Cordova hit speeds of 91 mph and was throwing his slider from a three-quarter motion, which is one of his more effective deliveries. Cordova will throw on the side today and is scheduled to pitch again Saturday. Meanwhile, reliever Rich Loiselle, on the 60-day disabled list with a muscle spasm in his neck and shoulder, threw 15 pitches in one inning yesterday. Neither Cordova nor Loiselle reported any problems.

The Pirates have homered in each of the past four games (six total) going into last night. Opposing players have hit 14 homers in the past nine games and at least one in four in a row (six total).

Former Pirates third-base coach Jack Lind, now a scout with the Astros, attended last night's game and will be in Pittsburgh next week to scout the Giants when they visit PNC Park. "It's no fun being fired, and I would have liked to be the third-base coach in the new ballpark. But life goes on," he said.

Jack Wilson had about 100 family and friends from Thousand Oaks, Calif., at the game last night. Wilson, a rookie shortstop, also had a ball autographed by longtime Dodgers announcer Vin Scully.

Ramon Martinez, 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA, will make his third start of the season -- and his first against his former team. "It'll be special. I don't know how the fans are going to react, though," he said. But Martinez, who is 64-42 with a 3.39 ERA in 141 career appearances at Dodger Stadium, said switching uniforms is part of baseball. "I'm on a different side now. I just do my job. It's a good opportunity to win. That's all I can ask for." He also said that the only time he was in the visitors' locker room before last night was in 1990, when members of an All-Star team assembled there before beginning a tour of Japan. Martinez went to spring training with the Dodgers and was 0-2 with a 5.81 ERA in six games but was granted free agency March 27. He was signed with the Pirates April 1. Martinez spent last year with his brother, Pedro, on the Red Sox, going 10-8 with a 6.13 ERA in 27 starts.

NASHVILLE (10-10) won, 8-6, at home vs. Salt Lake. Paul Ah Yat (1-1) started and won, giving up three runs and seven hits in five innings. He struck out six and didn't walk a batter. Marc Wilkins gave up three runs (one earned) in one inning of work. CF Tike Redman was 3 for 4 with a double. SS Luis Figueroa had two doubles and two RBIs. RF Adam Hyzdu added two hits.

ALTOONA (7-11) lost, 4-2, at Harrisburg. Geraldo Padua (1-1) lost in relief of starter Neal McDade, who went 62/3 innings, allowing one run on six hits while striking out nine and walking one. C J.R. House was 2 for 4 with a home run (his third) and two RBIs. 3B Rico Washington also had two hits.

LYNCHBURG (6-10) lost, 4-2, at Myrtle Beach. Jose Lopez (1-1) started and lost. He gave up four runs on seven hits in five innings, with seven strikeouts and one walk. LF B.J. Barnes, 3B James Langston and SS Ambi Cleto each had a double.

HICKORY (9-9) lost, 6-2, at home vs. Charleston. Mike Johnson (1-2) was the starter and loser, allowing three runs on five hits in six innings. He had five strikeouts and three walks. LF Ray Navarette had a double and RBI.