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Pirates-Braves Preview

Jun 7, 2009 - 11:23 PM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Pittsburgh (26-29) at Atlanta (26-28), 7:10 p.m. EDT

The Pittsburgh Pirates weren't happy after finding out Nate McLouth was traded to the Atlanta Braves, and they've spent the past few days voicing their frustration.

They won't have to wait long to get reacquainted.

Just five days after the Pirates' surprising decision to trade their All-Star outfielder, Pittsburgh will visit Turner Field on Monday night to open a four-game series against McLouth and the Braves.

With 16 consecutive losing seasons, the Pirates (26-30) have long been sellers at baseball's July trade deadline. Making a major move in early June, however, is unusual, particularly with a 27-year-old center fielder who signed a three-year, $15.75 million contract extension in February on the heels of an All-Star season.

But that's what Pittsburgh did Wednesday, dealing its leader in homers and RBIs to Atlanta (27-28) for three minor league prospects, a seemingly glaring sign the club is committed to completely rebuilding.

"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't," second baseman Freddy Sanchez told the Pirates' official Web site. "We're four games under .500 and playing OK. I think if we could have gotten a little more offensive output from us then I think we could be right in the thick of things. It's definitely tough to look at it not as rebuilding."

Pirates general manager Neal Huntington wrote an open letter to the team's fans saying the move was not made just to save money.

"I understand why some people, at first glance, may believe this move was financially motivated," Huntington wrote. "In fact, our owner, Bob Nutting, was as surprised as some of our fans when we sought his approval for this trade.

"The decision to trade Nate was perhaps the most difficult one personally and professionally that we have made to date."

While first baseman Adam LaRoche said he didn't know of any Pittsburgh player who wasn't unhappy about the trade, McLouth had mixed emotions.

"The people are ... hard to leave, but I lost a lot of games there and that's hard to do as an athlete," he said. "When you talk about winning, the Atlanta Braves are one of the top organizations that come to mind. To be a part of it is something special."

McLouth is 2 for 10 in his first three games with the Braves, but his second hit in his new uniform was a big one. He hit a tying double in the eighth inning Sunday against Milwaukee and scored on Yunel Escobar's single in Atlanta's 8-7 victory, ensuring Chipper Jones' four hits - including two homers - and five RBIs wouldn't be wasted.

Jones might be happy to see Zach Duke (6-4, 2.62 ERA) on the mound Monday. The switch hitter is batting .474 (9 for 19) in his career against Duke.

Duke, 2-3 with a 3.72 ERA in six starts against Atlanta, had his worst outing versus the Braves on April 19. He gave up six runs and 12 hits over six innings in an 11-1 loss in Pittsburgh.

Lately, however, Duke has been outstanding. The left-hander is 3-1 with a 2.43 ERA in his last five starts, and he gave up a run over seven innings Tuesday in a 3-1 win over the Mets, outdueling Johan Santana.

"I can't say enough about him," catcher Jason Jaramillo said. "He was awesome tonight. (He had) all of his pitches working. I felt like we had a good rhythm, good tempo and things are fun like that."

One reason McLouth was deemed expendable was the emergence of top prospect Andrew McCutchen, who's taken over in center field. McCutchen had three hits Sunday but Pittsburgh lost 6-4 to Houston.

He and the rest of the Pirates will get their first look at Atlanta's Kenshin Kawakami (3-6, 4.63). The right-hander gave up four runs - three earned - over seven innings Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs as the Braves won 6-5 in 12 innings.

Kawakami has not given up more three earned runs in six straight starts.