Pirates/Padres Pre-Game Notes

Pittsburgh (KDKA)- The Pirates will look for their 14th win of the season tonight as they open a 3-game trip in San Diego.

Fans are somewhat excited about the team being 13-15 at this point ,but, remember at the same point last year they were also 13-15. It's a long season.

Here are some notes heading into tonight's game.

Pitching matchup: James McDonald vs. Aaron Harang

*Tonight the Pirates will attempt to win back-back games for the third time this season and for the first time since April 17-18.

*In the last 13 games in which the relievers have been used, the bullpen has an ERA of 0.84. Entering tonight's game, Pittsburgh's bullpen ERA of 2.09 ranks first in MLB.

*The Bucco pitchers have produced a 2.44 ERA in the last nine games, lowering the team ERA from 4.24 to 3.66.

*Joel Hanrahan picked up his eighth save of the season Friday night.. The last Pittsburgh pitcher with eight saves in the month of April was Salomon Torres, who saved eight games to start the 2007 season.

*RHP Chris Resop has struck out 10 of the last 20 batters he has faced and has allowed just one hit in his last eight appearances. Since being claimed off waivers by the Pirates last year, Resop has posted a 1.62 ERA in 34 games.