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Pirates Rookie Hunter Barco Has Long Day -- and Night
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- Pirates Rookie Hunter Barco Has Long Day -- and Night
(© Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)
PITTSBURGH– Hunter Barco didn't step directly off a planeonto the PNC Park mound Tuesday night, but it felt that way to the Pittsburgh Pirates 'rookie left-hander.
Barco threw 4 2/3 innings in the Pirates' 11-7 loss to the Cardinals , their first three-game losing streak this season. His long reliefouting capped a long day.
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Early Tuesday night, Barco learned he was being recalled fromTriple-A Indianapolis. Pittsburgh needed a fresh arm after using eightrelievers on Tuesday night during a bullpen game.
Indianapolis is at Memphis this week, so Barco flew from therethrough Atlanta to Pittsburgh. His connection in Atlanta was delayed by fivehours due to the weather.
Consequently, Barco did not reach Pittsburgh until 6:15p.m.—just 25 minutes before the scheduled start. Although missing the firstpitch, he still arrived in time to help save the bullpen with his long outing.
Barco passed the Atlanta delay, thinking about baseballinstead of eating cheeseburgers at The Varsity in the airport.
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"It's getting ready the entire flight here," Barco said. "It'ssitting at the airport, going over at bats and hitters in my head. I haven'tdone anything like that before, but it's whatever you have to do.
"I didn't want to be moving all day and be worn out. I triedto chill, got up and moved around when needed."
Barco relieved Braxton Ashcraft in the fifth with one out, andthe Pirates were down 5-0. He allowed an inherited runner to score, then gaveup three runs in the seventh and two in the eighth as the Cardinals extendedtheir lead to 11-3.
Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly was appreciative of Barco's effort.
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"I thought he did a fantastic job," Kelly said. "Quickturnaround once he got here. I thought he did a really great job under toughcircumstances."
"I thought he did a really great job under toughcircumstances,"
Barco, though, was disappointed not to keep the Pirates in thegame.
"I competed, but it's about not giving up runs," Barco said."Got to be better and do whatever I can to help the team. Today I didn't."
