Happy Anniversary Andrew McCutchen, Welcome Back!

The Pittsburgh Pirates celebrate the four-year anniversary of Andrew McCutchen‘s debut as a Bucco.  On June 4, 2009 the Buccos superstar was called up as the Pirates played the Mets at PNC Park.  Cutch singled off Mike Pelfrey in his first big league at-bat.  It’s been a whole lot of fun ever since.

The Buccos superstar was given a day off yesterday due to data that the Pirates keep regarding “the amount of ground” Cutch has covered this season.  Yeh, that’s not a typo.

We think it was a poor decision, but at least there is some logic behind giving McCutchen a day off.  Some will argue that the team needed more rest last year–so I guess there is an argument there too.

But it stinks it came against the Braves rather than Chicago, but heh whatever.  Perhaps the information is more detailed than we will ever know.  Clint Hurdle said he would probably “get his hand slapped,” but shared the reason behind resting McCutchen anyway.

Since making his debut, McCutchen is tied with Arizona’s Martin Pradofor third place among N.L. players with 689 hits, trailing only Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun (769) and Cincinnati’s Brandon Phillips (694)

Notes:

Russell Martin will be in right field tonight with the southpaw on the mound for the Braves.  Heh, why not.  This should be fun to see considering how well Martin has thrown out runners this season.  The Bucs backstop has 11 which is near the top of ALL MAJOR LEAGUE catchers– only A.J. Ellis (12) has thrown out more (Nick Hundley also has 11)…Last year the team threw out 14 runners the entire season.

The Bucs have lost three of their last four games after winning three straight and five-of-six.   The ballclub was 32-27 after 59 games last season.

Jordy Mercer will play second base as lefty Mike Minor gets the start for Atlanta.

Starling Marte has 16 hits in 41 at-bats for the league high in average against southpaws.