Game 25: Giants (11-12) @ Pirates (11-13)

Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com

My, it seems fitting that after a rain-filled homestand there are a few hundred kids in the ballpark right now for Weather Day at the ballpark. Fortunately, the sun is peeking out this morning, which is allowing both the Pirates and Giants to take batting practice. Teams often skip out on BP for these 12:35 pm games; but with the weather having been the way it has, neither club was going to miss an opportunity to get some time on the field.

Other items to note…

• Xavier Paul is in uniform (no. 38) after arriving in Pittsburgh last night. The Pirates officially announced this morning that he’s been added to the 25-man roster and that outfielder John Bowker has been designated for assignment.
• The club has 10 days to trade Bowker or put him on waivers. He made it plenty clear last night that he wants to go elsewhere. Without saying as much, it was evident Bowker felt he never got a chance to prove himself here.
• I get the impression that the addition of Paul came down largely to his speed. The absence of a true pinch runner on the bench has hurt the Pirates a few times this year, and manager Clint Hurdle has never been shy in noting how much he’d like to have some speed available. Paul gives Hurdle that option. Bowker wasn’t that type of fit. Too, Paul’s ability to play center and his arm (which is better than Bowker’s) made him a better option defensively.
• I’ll examine in today’s beat on pirates.com what the acquisition of Paul might mean for Alex Presley. Think about it — Presley would give the Pirates the two things that made Paul so appealing — speed and an ability to play center. So why not give Presley a chance? Hurdle said it was considered, but ultimately the Pirates went with Paul since he had more Major League experience.
• It seems unlikely that Hurdle would call on Chris Resop this afternoon given his workload from the last two days. Evan Meek should be fresh.
• Brandon Wood is not the team’s new everyday shortstop. But he is getting his third straight start there. Hurdle laughed at the notion that he has given up on Ronny Cedeno, who was benched on Wednesday after not running out a grounder the day before. For now, Hurdle said he is playing the “hot hand.” 

Lineups:

PIRATES: A. McCutchen (CF), J. Tabata (LF), L. Overbay (1B), N. Walker (2B), G. Jones (RF), R. Doumit (C), P. Alvarez (3B), B. Wood (SS), J. Karstens (RHP)

GIANTS: A. Rowand (CF), E. Burriss (2B), A. Huff (1B), P. Sandoval (3B), P. Burrell (LF), C. Ross (RF), M. Fontenot (SS), E. Whiteside (C), R. Vogelsong (RHP)

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