Gamethread: Pirates look to go 17-over .500 for first time since '92

The Pirates look to go 17-over .500 for the first time since September 1992. They've won a season-high four straight games for the third time. A victory tonight would match their longest streak from a year ago (July 17-22).

Jeff Locke takes the hill for the Bucs. Locke has been charged with three earned runs or less in each of his last 12 starts and in 13 of his 15 overall. He has given up a total of seven hits in his last three starts and has pitched 14.0 scoreless frames over his last two starts. Locke’s 2.01 ERA ranks first overall in the National League and his 1.64 ERA on the road is also the best in the league.

Joe Saunders takes the mound for Seattle. Saunders was 2-0 against the Pirates last year and in his last five starts this season he's put up very good numbers: 34.2 IP, 0.981 WHIP, 1.82 ERA, .597 OPS against.

The Pirates are 5-2 on their current 10-day, 9-game road trip which concludes with these two in Seattle. After this, 12 of the team's last 15 games before the All-Star break are at PNC.

Notes:

David Manel posted about James McDonald. Also, Pirates have announced Wandy will throw a bullpen on Friday and will make another rehab start in Indy on Monday. He felt some soreness after his start on Sunday.

In addition, Tom Singer reports that AJ threw 46 pitches in a bullpen from the windup and the stretch and will throw another before the Pirates make a decision what to do. AJ is the pitcher who might possibly not be sent out on a rehab start.