Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle (Gene J. Puskar, Associated Press file)
PITTSBURGH ? The cab driver judges sports by fares, and the Pirates, he admitted, have been bad for business. "It's been a lot different this summer," he said. "But people still aren't sure they can trust them."
History assaults the senses at PNC Park, from the archways that create memories of Forbes Field to the statue of Willie Stargell outside the stadium. But nowhere is it embraced more than in the office of Pirates manager Clint Hurdle.
A framed 1979 "We Are Family" towel sits on the floor, Pirates caps decorate the shelves and to the right of Hurdle is a beautiful framed picture of Roberto Clemente. Hurdle guided the Rockies to their only World Series appearance, in 2007, and in his second act as boss, he has the
Pirates on the verge of something special.Pittsburgh begins a three-game series Friday night at Coors Field, entering the final stretch run to the team's first winning season and first playoff berth since 1992. Barry Bonds was on that Pirates club. Yeah, it's been a long time.
And, worse, fans were teased the past two seasons when the Pirates started well and played the second half at a combined 39 games under .500. But those clubs didn't pitch and play defense like this group of Patch-eyes.
"It wasn't by accident. It was the blueprint when I got here," Hurdle said. "I don't know any organization that doesn't preach it. You might get taken in a different direction because of the personnel you have. In Colorado, at the time being, our talent was on the other side of the ball. Then going to Texas (as a hitting coach), I saw it again. Offensively here we are just trying to connect the dots. Our guys have bought into pitching and defense. They really get it, that those things can show up every day."
In Hurdle's finest season with the Rockies, they produced their best glove work in franchise history. In Pittsburgh, the pitching has been eye-opening good. The Pirates have a 3.07 ERA, the best in baseball. Their rotation ranks first at 3.22. Friday at Coors Field, they will roll out left-hander Francisco Liriano, the first Pirates starter since Dock Ellis in 1971 to post an ERA under 2.25 in his first 16 starts, followed by A.J. Burnett, who mauled the Rockies last Sunday, and Jeff Locke, an unlikely all-star.
"It's been great to be on a team where we pitch so well," catcher Russell Martin said. "We keep it simple. Just play the game the right way. There's no drama. We always feel like we are in every game."
Veteran shortstop Clint Barmes has a good perspective of the Rockies, the Pirates and Hurdle. Barmes was a member of the Rockies' last two playoff teams and has played for Hurdle in nine of his 11 big-league seasons.
"He's
All-star center fielder Andrew McCutchen, left, and manager Clint Hurdle have helped make the Pirates the talk of Pittsburgh with their 70-44 record, the best in baseball. "Now we have to finish," says shortstop Clint Barmes. (Gene J. Puskar, The Associated Press)
still the same. He's in charge," Barmes said. "He brings energy every day."Talk to those who follow the Pirates closely, and they believe Hurdle trusts his coaching staff more this year. Pitching coach Ray Searage is drawing raves for his work. Hurdle also has evolved. He uses more defensive metrics for positioning and employs a bold strategy with his bullpen, preferring not to pitch relievers on back-to-back days. With the Rockies, he shied away from pitching relievers on three consecutive days.
His careful maneuvering of the chess pieces has been fascinating. Pittsburgh relievers have pitched the fifth-most innings but remain among the most effective, limiting opponents to a .218 batting average.
Former Golden High School star Mark Melancon has transitioned seamlessly into Pittsburgh's closer ? ex-Rockie Jason Grilli, an all-star, is out with a strained forearm ? by posting an 0.83 ERA with seven saves in 54-plus innings.
Pittsburgh (70-44) is plenty comfortable beating opponents by one run, owning a baseball-best 23 victories in that category.
"They are hot, confident," Rockies first baseman Todd Helton said of the Pirates. "They've got it going on right now."
One thing hasn't changed since the Rockies dismissed Hurdle in May 2009. He remains a voracious reader. Books scatter his desk, including works from Colin Powell and Rod Olson. A certain work is hard to miss: "One Word That Will Change Your Life."
For that Pirates, the answer is simple: playoffs.
"It's been a good year," Barmes said. "Everyone is contributing. Now we have to finish."
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1294, trenck@denverpost.com or twitter.com/troyrenck
Postseason's greeting
Not that it's been a long time, but the Pirates haven't been in the playoffs since Barry Bonds' last season in Pittsburgh and Bill Cowher's first year as head coach of the Steelers. The Pirates haven't had a winning record since. Here are baseball's longest active playoff droughts:
Kansas City Royals ? 1985
Pittsburgh Pirates ? 1992
Toronto Blue Jays ? 1993
Seattle Mariners ? 2001
Miami Marlins ? 2003
LOOKING AHEAD: PITTSBURGH AT COLORADO
Pirates' Francisco Liriano (12-4, 2.02 ERA) at Rockies' Jorge De La Rosa (10-6, 3.31)
6:40 p.m. Friday, ROOT; 850 AM
Team owner Dick Monfort said last week the Rockies plan to exercise their club option on Jorge De La Rosa's $11 million contract for next season. He has been one of the bright spots in what has become a dismal season, but he has been hit hard in his past two starts. The Braves battered the left-hander for eight runs (five earned) and 10 hits in five innings. Pittsburgh produced three runs and six hits in four innings. De La Rosa has been struggling with a bruised left thumb, but he hasn't been sharp of late. Pirates left-hander Francisco Liriano baffled the Rockies at PNC Park, blanking them for seven innings and allowing only two hits in a 5-2 victory last week. Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
Upcoming pitching matchups
Saturday: Pirates' A.J. Burnett (5-7, 2.73 ERA) at Rockies' Juan Nicasio (6-6, 5.05), 6:10 p.m., ROOT
Sunday: Pirates' Jeff Locke (9-3, 2.47) at Rockies' Chad Bettis (0-1, 6.30), 2:10 p.m., ROOT
Monday: Padres' Edinson Volquez (8-9, 5.44) at Rockies' Jhoulys Chacin (10-5, 3.40), 6:40 p.m., ROOT
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