Pirates/MLB
Pittsburgh PiratesDetroit Tigers (22-21) @ Pittsburgh Pirates (20-23)
Det Brad Penny (4-3, 4.11 ERA) vs Pit Jeff Karstens (2-2, 3.62 ERA)
Game Buzz
Interleague play gets underway tonight for the Pirates at PNC Park as former skipper Jim Leyland and the Detroit Tigers come to town for a three game set.
Leyland’s Tigers come into tonight’s game with a 22-21 record. The Pirates who are 3 games under .500, are riding a two game winning streak and look to win three straight for the second time this season (May 7 – 9).
The Pirates are 7-11 at home this season, while the Tigers have posted an 11-13 record on the road. The Pirates are 6-6 all-time against Detroit in Pittsburgh.
Detroit swept a three game set against the Pirates last june.
The pitching matchup tonight is Brad Penny (4-3, 4.11 ERA) vs Jeff Karstens (2-2, 3.62 ERA).
Penny who got off to a tough start to the season, is redhot right now, going 3-0 with a 0.83 ERA in his last 3 starts. Penny pitched 8 shutout innings in Saturday’s 5-0 win over Kansas City.
Penny has surrendered just 2 runs in his last 21 2/3 innings.
The dependable Jeff Karstens looks to move to 3-2 on the season. He allowed 2 runs in 5 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers (5/14) in his last outing.
Last season against Detroit on June 13, Karstens received a no decision, allowing two runs in seven innings.
The Pirates did not face Brad Penny last season.
Pirates manager Jim Leyland hinted yesterday to the media that DH Victor Martinez may only play on Sunday but Martinez is in the lineup for Detroit. It will be just his 9th start at catcher this season.
Leyland has expressed frustration in Interleague play.
Meanwhile, for the Pirates, Pedro Alvarez is not in the lineup and will sit tonight. Brandon Wood gets the start at third base.
A few notables for the Pirates: Garrett Jones went 6-for-12 with 2 home runs, 4 RBI’s and 3 runs scored against the Tigers last season.
Andrew McCutchen went 5-for-13 with 2 doubles, 1 RBI and 2 runs scored against the Tigers in 2010.
Pirates Lineup
1. Andrew McCutchen, .247
2. Jose Tabata, .226
3. Garrett Jones, .243.
4. Neil Walker, 2B, .286
5. Lyle Overbay, 1B, .236
6. Ryan Doumit, C, .286
7. Brandon Wood, 3B, .225
8. Ronny Cedeno, SS, .244
9. Jeff Karstens, P
Tigers Lineup
1. Austin Jackson, CF, .237
2. Scott Sizemore, 2B, .222
3. Brennan Boesch, RF, .273
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B, .304
5. Victor Martinez, C, .315
6. Andy Dirks, LF, .333
7. Don Kelly, 3B, .262
8. Ramon Santiago, SS, .269
9. Brad Penny, P
