There was hardly any offensive output from the Pirates in the three-game series against the Angels, as they scored just three runs in three games, but still they won two of them.
Greg Brown recaps yesterday’s win.
The Pirates will spend the week in Chicago, with three games against the American League Central Division-leading White Sox starting Tuesday, followed by three games at Wrigley Field against the Cubs beginning on Friday.
On Pirates Insider on WCCS yesterday, General Manager Ben Cherington said that Ryan O’Hearn could return to the Bucs’ lineup by the weekend. O’Hearn has been out since August 1st with a left quad strain. Cherington said O’Hearn will first go on a rehab assignment at Indianapolis as early as tomorrow night’s game against Omaha.
Interestingly, Cherington said the Pirates’ offensive woes over the weekend could be helped by O’Hearn’s return, and not just for what he can do at the plate. The GM said O’Hearn has a great approach at bat, and that rubs off on his teammates, who can get overly aggressive.
The Pirates returned Nick Yorke to Indianapolis and recalled outfielder Ronny Simon from Indy before yesterday’s game. Cherington said Konnor Griffin’s return at shortstop made it unnecessary to have Yorke, an infielder, while Simon brings speed and versatility to the outfield and on the basepaths.
Indianapolis, incidentally, is just a game behind Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Rochester for first place in the International League after an 8-5 win over Toledo yesterday. They lead the IL West. The Indians scored five runs in the ninth inning yesterday for the win. Duce Gourson and Mitch Jebb both had three hits for the Indy.
