TWO-GAME SERIES AT PNC PARK
Tuesday, 6:05 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM
RHP Ricky Nolasco (3-1, 6.38) vs. LHP Francisco Liriano (1-3, 2.96)
Wednesday, 6:05 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM
RHP Mike Pelfrey (3-1, 3.23) vs. LHP Jeff Locke (2-2, 5.40)
TWINS UPDATE
They are 8-4 against the Pirates all-time, and 4-2 at PNC Park, having swept three games in 2006 and losing two of three in 2012, their last visit. The Pirates never have visited Target Field. … This is the first of 20 interleague games for the Twins, all against the NL Central. They are 174-138 all-time in interleague play, but have not posted a winning record since 2009. … 2B Brian Dozier enters Monday leading the American League in runs scored, with 29. … LHP Aaron Thompson spent the 2011 season in the Pirates' system, and appeared in four major league games, posting a 7.04 ERA. … The Pirates are 7-11 on the road, but have lost three of their past four.
PIRATES UPDATE
They stopped a four-game losing streak with a 3-0 win over the Cubs on Sunday, but stand in third place in the NL Central, 7 1/2 games behind St. Louis. … They are 9-7 this year at PNC Park, which opened in 2001. This is the start of an eight-game homestand. … They are 1-2 in interleague play, having been shut out twice by Detroit here in April. … Former MVP Andrew McCutchen had a terrible April, batting .194 with two homers and no stolen bases. But he has batted .340 with six extra-base hits in his past dozen games. … They have allowed only 133 runs this season, fifth fewest in the majors. … Closer Mark Melancon is 9-for-10 in save situations, but has allowed eight hits and a walk to the past 24 batters he has faced.
PHIL MILLER
