The Pittsburgh Pirates pitching staff has done some kick ass things in 2012.

The Fan has done excellent work this year getting Pittsburgh Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage to open up in his interviews.  We even thought we heard the morning show team call him ‘Uncle Ray.’  Pretty solid stuff.

Searage commended starter Kevin Correia after not pitching for nine days.

“As to his future as a starter, we are going to take it one game at a time.” Ray Searage

Jason Grilli was discussed.  Searage said it’s not so much physical, but more times it is mental when asked if Chad Qualls would be used as the setup man rather than Grilli.  A direct answer wasn’t given to the question, which leads one to believe that Grilli might indeed see some time off.

But then Searage said if Grilli was needed in this afternoon’s game, he wouldn’t hesitate to use him.

It took the setup man just 12 pitches to give up four runs against the Diamondbacks two days ago.  It was the first meltdown in a remarkable season for the 6’5″, 225-pounder.  The thought that he needs a mental rest seems like much ado about nothing.  It happens. It’s over. We were able to see Grilli pull his hands through his hair fifty times as he hung his head in the dugout Tuesday night thanks to some Root Sports camera work.

‘Get him back on the bump’ is our take on it.

Here is the link to the interview on 93.7 The Fan.

June 17, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage (54) runs to the dugout after a trip to the pitchers mound in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

Searage said that James McDonald is experiencing things he has never experienced before.  The Bucs pitching coach also said he feels comfortable with him, and said he is back to his competitive self.

We won’t even ruin it for you with the comments Searage made about A.J. Burnett.  Go listen.