First number, last word

By Tom Singer

May 23, 2014

6: Wins by Pirates starters through Thursday, tied for the third-fewest after 46 games in Major League history; only the 1962 Mets and 2006 Royals had fewer with five.

"We don't want the guy to pitch with his hair on fire, to think that if he doesn't pitch well he is getting sent out." -- Pirates general manager Neal Huntington, on whoever is tabbed to step into the rotation spot vacated by the designation of Wandy Rodriguez -- most likely, right-hander Brandon Cumpton -- and start Monday in New York against the Mets.

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.