Who Will Face the Friars on Monday?
PITTSBURGH (93-7 THE FAN) -- Edinson Volquez, who was bailed out by his teammates in a 9-8 comeback win by the San Diego Padres at PNC Park Aug. 10, will face the Pirates again to kick off a three-game series at Petco Park Monday at 10:05, but who will oppose him?
It was supposed to be Wandy Rodriguez, but the fledgling southpaw instead improvised a two-inning victory in the Bucs' epic 19-inning win at St. Louis Sunday, his first since joining the team. As of Monday morning, the Pirates have not officially announced their starting pitcher for the series opener.
Prior to the marathon game, Kevin Correia found out he was returning to the bullpen. According to the Tribune-Review's Dejan Kovacevic, one source said Correia, who helped preserve a 2-2 tie in an eventual 6-3 win Sunday, volunteered for a spot start. Instead, in all probability, the Bucs will call on someone from Triple-A Indianapolis, multiple sources say.
Recently demoted Jeff Locke is coming off a start of his own, so the best bet seems to be either Chris Leroux or Justin Wilson.
In 25 innings of major-league work last season, Leroux went 1-1 with a 2.88 bullpen ERA, and 24 strikeouts against seven walks. This year, in Indianapolis, he has pitched 51 2/3 innings and made five starts, going 3-0 with a 2.26 ERA, 40 strikeouts, and 11 free passes.
Wilson, a 2008 fifth-round Pirate draftee, has two signature performances with the Indians under his belt: he pitched 7 1/3 innings of a combined no-hitter Apr. 29 against Durham, and on Aug. 9 tossed a rain-shortened eight-inning no-hitter against Charlotte. He is 9-6 through 25 starts with a 3.84 ERA and 1.16 WHIP.
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