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Pirates OF Travis Snider: Pirates Wear Starters Down, Stay Strong Against Bullpen

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) -- Pirates OF Travis Snider joined The Fan Morning Show on Wednesday following a 4-1 Bucs win over the Mariners at PNC Park on Tuesday night.

Snider got the Pirates off on the right foot with an RBI double in the first inning, and ended up crossing the plate later in that frame, giving the Pirates a two-run lead that ended up being all they needed to subdue Seattle.

The Pirates scored two runs in their first and last time up in that game, demonstrating their ability to strike early and step up late.

"I think we do a good job of wearing down starters," Snider said. "We usually get to that bullpen by the sixth, seventh inning, and then try to take advantage of some of those bridge-the-gap guys. And we're not guys that are going to back down from closers and set-up men… we know we've got to strap it on as we get late in the game."

Speaking of starters, the Pirates will face Mariners superstar Felix Hernandez this afternoon, and Snider explained that King Felix is an especially nightmarish matchup for lefties.

"His fastball moves almost a foot-and-a-half," Snider said. "You've got to go up there and be patient, and wait for that mistake up in the zone."

Snider also offered his thoughts on some of the recent ejections we've seen around the league, such as the Nationals' Bryce Harper getting tossed in the first inning of a game against the Bucs on Sunday.

"We understand those guys got a tough job," Snider said. "I try and give them the benefit of the doubt of human beings, it's a tough job. But at the same time there's got to be middle ground, which I can't say they've crossed… you want to see guys show respect. If they disagree with something, we have that right to voice our opinion, as long as we do it in the right terms, choosing the right words."

The interview can be heard here:

Travis Snider 5-8

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