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Friday, August 03, 2001

By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

SCOUTING REPORT

The series: Pirates vs. Rockies, three games at Coors Field, Denver.

The times: 9:05 p.m. today, 8:05 p.m. tomorrow and 3:05 p.m. Sunday.

TV, radio: Today and tomorrow on Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh, Sunday on WCWB; all games on KDKA-AM (1020).

Probable starters: Jimmy Anderson (6-10), Todd Ritchie (7-10) and Dave Williams (1-3) for the Pirates; Mike Hampton (10-8), Shawn Chacon (6-5) and Brian Bohanon (5-6) for the Rockies.

About the Pirates: Took two of three games from Rockies at PNC Park earlier this season. ... Hope to find some offensive punch at Coors Field, where they were 2-4 last year. ... Are 5-13 against the National League West, including 2-7 on the road. ... Faced left-hander yesterday and will face two against Rockies. Have faced a major league-low 16 left-handers this season. ... Anderson is 1-2 with a 6.98 ERA in five starts against Rockies. In four starts since the All-Star break, he is 2-2 with a 4.07 ERA, but he has won just three times in past 13 starts.

About the Rockies: Have lost two in a row and are 27-29 at Coors Field. ... Were one of biggest spending teams in the off-season but began shedding payroll after falling into last place. ... Hampton has six home runs, which would tie him with Jason Kendall for sixth among Pirates. ... Are again dominating league's offensive categories. Todd Helton is among leaders in home runs, RBIs, extra-base hits and slugging percentage. Larry Walker leads Aramis Ramirez for the top spot in batting average with runners in scoring-position and is leader in home batting average (.396 before yesterday.)

On deck: After a day off Monday, Pirates have a three-game series with the Dodgers at home; Rockies also are off Monday before playing three games in Chicago against the Cubs.

NOTEBOOK

Jason Schmidt was so overpowering against his former teammates Tuesday night -- the only hit he allowed was a home run by Jason Kendall, plus eight strikeouts and one walk -- Giants fans figured all the hype about him was underplayed. Schmidt said it was a definite bonus and a lot more fun to throw a one-hitter, but he was glad to get the experience behind him. "I had to face the Pirates sooner or later. I'd rather do it right away. Get it done and get it over with," he said. Manager Lloyd McClendon conceded it was strange to see Schmidt wearing a No. 29 Giants uniform. "Jason was dominating. When he's like that, he's going to run through anybody's lineup. It's tough looking at him in another uniform. Hopefully, we'll be in a position down the road to go out and get a hired gun." Shortstop Jack Wilson said Schmidt was "a little extra pumped" to face the team that traded him. "He had his stuff working. He certainly got me. The good thing is we won't have to see him the rest of the season." The Pirates other hit was a single by Aramis Ramirez off reliever Felix Rodriquez. The two hits were a season low for the Pirates and the first time they had been held to two hits since the Cubs' Jon Lieber, another former Pirate, did it July 3, 2000.

When Tony McKnight made his debut with the Pirates yesterday, he became the 11th different pitcher to start a game this season. The Pirates used a total of 10 starters last year. The club record for shuffling the staff is 18 starters used in 1996. In his 10 major-league starts, McKnight has lasted at least six innings seven times.

MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT

Wednesday's results

NASHVILLE (51-58) had the day off.

ALTOONA (48-61) lost, 7-4, at Reading. Starter Carlos Alvarado (2-5) went five innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits and striking out five and walking two. 1B Dan Meier hit his sixth home run, a solo shot.

LYNCHBURG (67-68) lost, 5-4, at home vs. Salem. Starter John Grabow (0-1) lost, giving up four earned runs on three hits in six innings and striking out four and walking four. LF Shawn Garrett was 2 for 5 with his fifth home run, a solo shot. DH Josh Bonifay had an RBI.

HICKORY (71-77) won, 3-1, at home vs. Lexington. Starter Mike Connolly allowed one run on three hits in seven innings and struck out six and walked three. Joshua Higgins earned his 17th save. DH Ray Navarette and 1B Jeremy Cotton went 2 for 4. RF Nathan McLouth hit his ninth home run and had three RBI.

WILLIAMSPORT (29-12) won, 4-0, at Lowell. Starter Ian Oaquendo (4-0) pitched seven shutout innings, giving up four hits. He struck out five without walking a batter. CF Chris Duffy was 3 for 5 with a double and an RBI. SS Avelino Asprilla was 2 for 4 with an RBI.

BRADENTON (12-18) was postponed by rain.