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Monday, April 15, 2002

Compiled by Robert Dvorchak

The series: Pirates vs. Brewers, three games at Miller Park.

The times: 8:05 p.m. today and tomorrow, 2:05 p.m. Wednesday.

TV, radio: Today and tomorrow on Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh; all games on KDKA-AM and the Pirates Radio Network.

Probable starters: Kip Wells (1-1), Jimmy Anderson (1-1) and Dave Williams (1-1) for the Pirates; Glendon Rusch (1-0), Nick Neugebauer (0-1) and Ben Sheets (1-2) for the Brewers.

About the Pirates: Wells is 1-0 lifetime against Brewers, giving up three runs in six innings July 17 at Miller Park. His eight strikeouts in that game is a career high. ... Anderson is 1-3 lifetime against Brewers. He lost two of three decisions last year, allowing 18 runs in 32 1/3 innings. ... Williams won his lone start despite giving up four runs in a five-inning outing. ... The Pirates were 2-5 at Miller Park last year and 11-6 against the Brewers overall. ... They are 4-1 on the road this year after posting worst road record in baseball last year at 24-57. ... Brian Giles hit .393 against the Brewers last year with three home runs and nine RBIs; he hit .261 at Miller Park. ... Aramis Ramirez hit .483 with three home runs and seven RBIs in Milwaukee. ... Other averages at Miller Park are Jack Wilson (.375), Pokey Reese (.300), Jason Kendall (.241) and Kevin Young (.158). Reese is part of Miller Park history, having been the first batter hit by a pitch there.

About the Brewers: Rusch was 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA against the Pirates last year. ... Neugebauer, a rookie, was the Brewers' minor-league pitcher of the year last year. He failed to get out of the third inning in his last start. ... Sheets was 1-1 with a 3.27 ERA against the Pirates last year. ... The Brewers are 1-2 at home this year after going 36-45 in their inaugural season at Miller Park. ... Richie Sexson, off to a slow start this year, hit .328 with four home runs and 13 RBIs against the Pirates last year. ... Other numbers against the Pirates: Raul Casanova (.348), Geoff Jenkins (.311), Jose Hernandez (.300) and Eric Young (.265). ... Pitching injuries have hurt the Brewers. Jamey Wright, projected to be the staff ace, is on the disabled list with a rotator cuff injury. In the bullpen, Steel Valley High School graduate Curt Leskanic, Ray King and Chad Fox are on the disabled list. Leskanic has a right shoulder injury.

On deck: After a day off Thursday, Pirates begin three-game series against the Phillies at home; Brewers have a four-game set at home against the Cardinals.

The season is a journey into the unknown as far as the Pirates' inexperienced rotation is concerned, and Manager Lloyd McClendon says tonight's start by Kip Wells is a perfect example. Wells recorded just four outs in his last start, the shortest of his career. He gave up six runs on six hits with three walks. "You just don't know what you have. I don't know how this kid's going to bounce back," McClendon said. "He struggled. He got booed at home. We'll find out. This kid just doesn't have a track record." He said he saw no need to speak to Wells about the rough reception Wells got in his PNC Park debut. "I think [Mario] Lemieux said it best: If you can't handle the pressure, you ought to watch it on TV. That's just the way it is. I know one thing about our fans. [Ron] Villone pitched a hell of a game [Monday], and he got a standing ovation. They appreciate good baseball. If you play [bad], they don't appreciate it and they'll tell you."

Rookie Josh Fogg throws a fastball in the 88 to 90 mph range, but his consistency in throwing strikes has served him well in his first two major-league starts, both wins. McClendon expects Fogg to get better with experience. "His stuff is not overpowering. He won't dazzle you with the [radar] gun. When he gains experience and he knows the league a little better, he should get even a little better. If you have a good feel for pitching and you work ahead in the count and keep the ball down, you have a chance to be successful. It's not always velocity," McClendon said.

While the Pirates' offensive struggles are no laughing matter, McClendon did point to a wood carving in his office to tease hitting coach Dave Clark. The statue shows the three monkeys of hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil. "I told Clarkie he's the one in the middle right now. He doesn't want to watch it right now. Hopefully, we'll get it going on this road trip." One thing is for sure: The Pirates can't get rained out in domed Miller Park.

Former Pirate Richie Zisk has been named minor-league hitting coordinator for the Cubs. Zisk had been in his eighth season with Class A Daytona, serving as hitting coach for most of that time. He managed the club in 2000.

NASHVILLE (5-5) lost, 8-7, at Sacramento. Starter Brian Meadows (0-1) lost, allowing three runs on three hits in two innings with three walks and two strikeouts. After two good outings, reliever Josias Manzanillo gave up four hits, including a home run, in a two-inning stint. RF Ryan Radmanovich was 3 for 5 with a double, home run and three RBIs. 1B Chris Pritchett had three hits and an RBI, and 3B Trace Coquillette had a three-run homer.

ALTOONA (4-4) lost, 12-3, at Harrisburg. Starter John Grabow was knocked out after 1 2/3 innings. He gave up six runs on four hits with four walks and two strikeouts. CF Tony Alvarez homered, singled and drove in two runs. RF Shawn Garrett hit a solo homer, and LF Kevin Haverbusch had a double and a single in four at-bats.

LYNCHBURG (4-3) lost, 3-2, at home vs. Wilmington. Joshua Higgins (0-1) lost in relief of Jeffrey Sharber, who gave up a run on five hits in five innings with five strikeouts and two walks.

HICKORY (7-3) lost, 4-2, at Kannapolis. Starter Roberto Novoa (0-1) lost, allowing three runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. He had two strikeouts and didn't walk a batter. DH Jeff Keppinger had two hits, and C Ryan Doumit doubled and scored a run.