Pirates

It won’t be easy for the Pittsburgh Pirates to bounce back after a difficult loss, especially since they will be facing one of the NL’s best pitchers.

The Atlanta Braves, meanwhile, will be without their top run producer for an extended stretch.

The Pirates continue this four-game road set Wednesday night against the Braves, who will send Jair Jurrjens to the mound in search of his league-leading 13th victory while coping with the loss of Brian McCann.

Pittsburgh (53-48) lost 4-3 in 19 innings Tuesday as the longest game in Turner Field history ended at 1:50 a:m.

(60-44) won when Julio Lugo scored from third base on a contested play at the plate.

With runners on second and third and one out in the 19th, Scott Proctor hit a grounder to third baseman Pedro Alvarez, whose throw to catcher Michael McKenry easily beat Lugo to the plate.

Lugo tried to avoid McKenry’s tag with a pop-up slide. Replays indicated McKenry made the tag, but home plate umpire Jerry Meals called Lugo safe.

“I didn’t feel the tag,” Lugo said. “He made the right call. I got in there.”

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle argued the call vigorously, following Meals off the field as the Braves celebrated.

He continued his eye-catching development by starting 24th of the 30th matches he appeared in during the 2009/10 season and made his 100 appearance for Pirates in February 2010 against Nottingham at Camborne.
He played his 136 and final game against Warriors in the second leg of the RFU Championship final in May.
Meanwhile, Hill confirmed Sanderson’s rehabilitation was taking much longer than expected.
“At the moment he is unlikely to make any of the pre-season games and therefore there is a danger that he will not be match fit for the start of the season,” he said.
“There is a need to ensure that we have six fit back row forwards going in the start of the Aviva Premiership. With that in mind, we have signed a very talented English back row in Sam Betty and we look forward to him joining up with the squad.