Home >  Sports >  Pirates

Thursday, July 24, 2003

By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Next: Pirates vs. Reds, 12:35 p.m., Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati.

Radio: KDKA-AM (1020) and the Pirates Radio Network.

Probable starters: RHP Jeff D'Amico (6-10) is scheduled to start for the Pirates, RHP Jimmy Haynes (2-10) for the Reds.

It was not known how much cash the Pirates sent to the Cubs along with OF Kenny Lofton and 3B Aramis Ramirez for INF Jose Hernandez, minor-league P Matt Bruback and a player to be named later. The Cubs have offered a list of players, and the deal should be completed by mid-August. The Pirates will have to chose from INF Bobby Hill and Ps Francis Beltran and Steve Smyth. All are with the Cubs' Class AAA minor-league team.

Hernandez joined the Pirates and started, but reliever Brandon Lyon was delayed to attend to personal affairs and should be with the team today. Hernandez, wearing Ramirez's No. 16, batted seventh last night and struck out in his first two at-bats but hit a solo home run in the eighth inning. He came within one strikeout of tying Bobby Bonds for most strikeouts in a season last year, but the Rockies rested him on the final weekend. He entered the game last night with 121 strikeouts this season. With Lofton gone, Jason Kendall batted first and Matt Stairs was in the cleanup spot. Brian Giles shifted to center to fill in for Lofton. In addition, Brian Meadows was recalled from Class AAA Nashville, his third stint with the team this season. Meadows was 7-0 with a 1.41 ERA as a starter in Nashville.

Kendall was supposed to appeal his suspension yesterday with Major League Baseball's director of enforcement Bob Watson, but a team spokesman said Kendall handled it via a letter sent to the league office. Kendall has insisted on a hearing to give his side of events in a June 14 brawl, for which he was suspended for three games. It is believed that the suspension has been reduced to two games, with Kendall to sit out today and tomorrow night. Watson did hear the case of Cincinnati's Jose Guillen, who is expected to have a two-game penalty for bumping an umpire reduced to one game that will be served today.

Three pitchers the Pirates acquired in trades have been given minor-league assignments. Frank Brooks, obtained for All-Star closer Mike Williams, was supposed to report to Class AAA Altoona but will pitch at Class AAA Nashville. Matt Bruback, obtained in the trade with the Cubs, will be in Nashville's starting rotation but might also be used in relief. Anastacio Martinez, obtained from the Red Sox in the Scott Sauerbeck deal, will report to Altoona.

Nashville pitcher Matt Guerrier had a diagnostic test done Monday in Pittsburgh to check his ailing right shoulder. The MRI showed tendinitis in his right shoulder, a problem that originally showed up in spring training. Guerrier has been shut down for now and will be building up shoulder strength with a series of exercises.

Giles had this to say about the departures of teammates Lofton, Ramirez, Williams and Sauerbeck: "I'm happy for Kenny because he couldn't get a job this spring. He showed he can play everyday and be a productive player. I'm happy for those guys who have a chance to go to a team that can maybe get it done this year, and if not, they're going to go out and spend that money to try to get those pieces. I'm sure if you asked all those guys, they'd want to do it [with the Pirates]. It just didn't work out."

NASHVILLE (60-42) won, 12-0, at Oklahoma. Dave Williams (4-2) scattered four hits over five shutout innings and lowered his ERA to 2.40. DH John Barnes had four hits, including two doubles, and drove in two runs. CF Rich Thompson added four hits and drove in two runs. 1B Brad King drove in three runs and scored three runs, and 2B David Doster had three hits and three RBIs.

ALTOONA (58-42) lost, 6-1, vs. New Haven. Landon Jacobsen (7-7) had a shutout into the seventh inning, when he gave up four runs. DH Chan Perry had three hits. SS Shaun Skrehot and CF Chris Duffy had two hits apiece.

LYNCHBURG (52-43) won, 5-1, vs. Wilmington. Alex Hart (2-2) gave up one run on five hits in six innings. 1B Walter Young had a double and two RBIs. DH Ryan Doumit hit a solo home run and C Chris Shelton had three hits and an RBI.

HICKORY (63-36) lost, 9-2, vs. Asheville. Zach Duke (7-4) was lifted in the third inning after allowing eight runs on nine hits. RF Bobby Kingsbury had three hits, including his 11th home run, and drove in two runs. 1B Brad Eldred hit his 18th home run and DH Chaz Lytle had three hits.

WILLIAMSPORT (23-10) was rained out.

BRADENTON (17-13) lost, 13-5, to the Yankees. Wardell Starling (0-1) lasted two innings, surrendering seven runs on seven hits. 1B Brad Rea had three hits and drove in a run, and RF Wanell Severino had two hits and an RBI.