First number, last word

By Tom Singer

June 25, 2013

• .374: Cumulative average of the 3M Co. -- Starling Marte, Jordy Mercer, Andrew McCutchen -- when they bat 1-2-3 in the Pirates' lineup, which they did for for the eighth time Tuesday night against the Mariners.

• "The topic can be brought up for discussion. But is it one to beat the drum on? Not for me. I just like where his stroke has gotten to now. I'm not a big fan one way or another; I don't know whether it would help or hurt." -- Pirates manager Clint Hurdle, on whether reigning NL Player of the Week Pedro Alvarez should be considered for the All-Star Home Run Derby

Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog Change for a Nickel. He can also be found on Twitter @Tom_Singer.