Bucs try to boost offense, start Mercer at short

ST. LOUIS -- Between the two teams' lineups for Game 2 of the National League Division Series, there was only one change: The Pirates switched to Jordy Mercer at shortstop over Clint Barmes.

Mercer got his first start of the young postseason as manager Clint Hurdle sought to inject a little more offense into his lineup following Thursday's four-hit performance in the 9-1 loss in the series opener.

Mercer has had one run-in with St. Louis right-hander Lance Lynn, and the small sample size of his 2-for-3 with a two-run double got him the nod over Barmes, who himself has done well against Lynn (6-for-23, with two doubles, a homer and five RBIs).

"Yeah, Jordy has some at-bats against Lynn, and we tried to get maybe another little offensive bat in the lineup," Hurdle said. "So that's the reason for it."

Maybe that won't be the only spike in the Bucs' batting order: Gerrit Cole, the day's starting pitcher, took a .206 average with five RBIs into the game.