Searage: Pirates Working On Pitch Efficiency
PITTSBURGH (KDKA 93-7 The Fan- The Pittsburgh Pirates enter Saturday's game against Cincinnati with the second best ERA in the majors. One of the few concerns fans have is the lack of deep outings by the starting pitchers.
"We're well on that," Pirates Pitching Coach Ray Searage told Bob Pompeani. "Clint (Hurdle) and I talk about that probably every day, and the starters are well aware of what they have to do."
Searage added that they are focusing on pitch efficiency, making something happen in the first three pitches of an at bat.
There was some question before the season whether Jason Grilli could adequately replace Joel Hanrahan. But Searage pointed out that the current MLB saves leader was tested last year.
"He was facing all of the big guys in the middle of the lineup," Searage said. "He was doing a heck of a job as the setup guy, so there was no reason why he wouldn't be able to fit into that stopper role."
