First number, last word

2 -- According to Elias Sports Bureau, Francisco Liriano is one of two Pirates' pitchers in the last 95 years to record a win while allowing one run or fewer in each of his first three starts with the club. Dave LaPoint, in 1988, is the other.

"How many of you wrote stories about his defensive play last night? If you did, I applaud you, if you didn't, you whiffed. You absolutely whiffed." -- Hurdle to reporters after being asked about Alvarez's play in the field Wednesday night.