First number, last word

By Tom Singer

July 23, 2013

31: Pirates record for being hit by a pitch, by Jason Kendall in both 1997 and '98. Starling Marte was hit on Monday for the 17th time, putting him on pace for 29.

"You know what? Guys like guys getting saves. Put away that third out [in the ninth inning], and we'll be in the same place mentally as we were with Jason." -- Hurdle, on how the Pirates' end-game changes from flamboyant disabled closer Jason Grilli to sedate pinch-closer Mark Melancon

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.