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The Pittsburgh Pirates have recalled outfielder Alex Presley and optioned Gorkys Hernandez to the team’s AAA affiliate in Indianapolis.
The team sent Presley down to the Indians on May 16 and the lefty has looked much better since then.
In 65 at bats, the 26-year-old hit .277/.385/.631 with an unexpected five home runs. In the majors this year, Presley hit .220/.246/.551 in 118 at bats.
He will bat lead off tonight when the Pirates open their series with the Reds in Cincinnati.
The 24-year-old Hernandez went 2-for-10 in nine appearances with the Pirates. He hit .266/.343/.355 in 124 at bats with Indianapolis before his call-up.
Here is the rest of the team’s lineup for tonight:
1. Alex Presley, LF
2. Neil Walker, 2B
3. Andrew McCutchen, CF
4. Garrett Jones, RF
5. Matt Hague, 1B
6. Casey McGehee, 3B
7. Rod Barajas, C
8. Clint Barmes, SS
9. A.J. Burnett, P
The benching of Pedro Alvarez continues. Not sure how long it will last, but Clint Hurdle has said something about Pedro “clearing the deck,” so I don’t expect Alvarez to get much playing time over the next few days.
Burnett (4-2, 3.60) was originally scheduled to pitch tomorrow, but the Pirates want to give spot starter Brad Lincoln an extra day of rest, so Burnett will go today.
He’s been phenomenal in Pittsburgh, aside from one 1.2-inning outing where he gave up 12 runs. Aside from that outing, the righty hasn’t given up more than two runs in a start and is currently riding a 12.1-inning streak over which he hasn’t allowed an earned run. He’s also won his last three starts.
Last time out, Burnett allowed two hits and one unearned run against these same Reds. He only struck out three but was extremely effective nonetheless.
Homer Bailey (4-3, 3.73) will pitch for Cincinnati. He’s also riding a three-start win streak, and threw a complete game with one run in his last start, which came against the Pirates.
Game time is 7:10 PM.
Follow Troy on Twitter @TroyPfaff for more Pittsburgh Pirates news
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