Pirates Notebook: Marlins also put pressure on Armas
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One would think Tony Armas has enough pressure on him tonight -- as in "Pitch at least decently or look for a seat in the bullpen."
But there could be another layer of stress on the right-hander as he enters his start against Florida tonight. And that is, if Armas has to pitch decently in a start to save his job, pitching against the Marlins is not to his advantage.
Lifetime against the Marlins, Armas is 3-12 in 17 starts. His earned run average is 5.98.
He started against the Marlins four times last season and was 0-3 with a 9.60 earned run average. In 15 innings, he yielded 29 hits and 16 earned runs.
Armas arrived at this key juncture in his Pirates career by putting up poor numbers in his two most recent starts against Milwaukee and Atlanta. He allowed a combined 13 hits and seven earned runs in seven innings.
"He's aware of what he's done," manager Jim Tracy said.
What kind of start is Tracy looking for tonight?
"Be competitive and get our club to the back end of the bullpen and give our club a chance to win," Tracy said.
If Armas does that tonight, then he'll start again in St. Louis next week. If he doesn't, then probably Shawn Chacon will start against the Cardinals. Or, because of a day off Monday, the Pirates might skip the fifth starter this time around.
Minor-league updates
Right-hander Bryan Bullington is 6-1 at Class AAA Indianapolis with a 2.40 earned run average that ranks ninth in the International League. He has allowed one home run in 482/3 innings.
Right-hander John Van Benschoten is 3-2 with a 1.82 earned run average that ranks third in the IL. He has yielded one home run in 392/3 innings.
Indianapolis shortstop Brian Bixler, through Tuesday night, stood second in the league with his .362 batting average and led the league with 27 runs scored and a .456 on-base percentage.
More progress for Bautista
Third baseman Jose Bautista, out because of a sprained left ankle, continued to make progress yesterday. He did some sprints, fielded ground balls hit directly at him and took a couple rounds of batting practice.
He is at least one more night away from being able to start again because he still has to field ground balls going laterally and run the bases.
"There's a good chance I could play [tomorrow] night," Bautista said. "It's not my decision, but, if I make the same progress [tomorrow] as [he did yesterday], I don't see why not."
Johnson looms Sunday
In their three-game series against Arizona that begins tomorrow night, the Pirates are scheduled to face starters Doug Davis, Micah Owings and Randy Johnson.
Johnson tuned up for that Sunday start by pitching six shutout innings against Colorado Tuesday night. He allowed one hit and no walks and struck out nine. Of his 79 pitches, 56 were strikes.
Another win for Gorzelanny
Tom Gorzelanny not only picked up a win and his first major-league hit Monday night, but he also won a bet with Adam LaRoche that guarantees him a summer's worth of free golf.
Under terms of the friendly wager, Gorzelanny had until the end of May to get that first major-league hit. If he did, LaRoche had to pay for their golf outings through the end of the season. If he didn't, Gorzelanny had to buy a new driver -- of LaRoche's choice -- for the first baseman.
"I lost," LaRoche said, "but it was a bet I wanted to lose."
McClatchy bound for China
Baseball will send a high-level delegation to China this month to inspect stadiums ahead of a possible trip there for exhibition games next year. Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, will head the group, which also will include San Diego Padres chief executive officer Sandy Alderson, Boston Red Sox president Larry Lucchino and Pirates CEO Kevin McClatchy.
INDIANAPOLIS (24-14) won at Syracuse, 4-3. RHP Mark Corey (0-0, 3.24), allowed three runs, one earned, and three hits in three innings. RHP Josh Sharpless (2.57), RHP Jesse Chavez (2.82) and RHP Chris Hernandez (0.00) each pitched two scoreless innings of relief, Sharpless earning the victory. C Humberto Cota (.400) went 2 for 3 with an RBI and a walk. CF Rajai Davis (.292) went 1 for 3 with two walks and his 22nd steal. 1B Yurendell DeCaster (.331) went 1 for 4 with two RBIs.
ALTOONA (18-16) was rained out against Portland.
LYNCHBURG (14-20) was rained out against Wilmington.
HICKORY (15-21) was off.
First Published May 16, 2007 11:40 pm
