Worth noting

• Jeff Karstens reported he will have the stitches from his shoulder removed on Sunday, nine days after his arthroscopic surgery to clean up the rotator cuff and labrum.

• The Pirates had 11 shutouts in their first 67 games for the first time since 1908, but here's the rub: Those Bucs didn't pick up whitewash No. 12 until game No. 84, so the current staff appears to have a pretty good chance to set the new pace standard.

• Interested in a defensive breakdown of those 11 shutouts at the key position of shortstop? Clint Barmes has started six of them, Jordy Mercer three and, prior to his stint on the disabled list and ensuing trade, John McDonald two.

• The Pirates' 3-0 victory Friday, the night after being beaten 10-0 by the Giants, improved their post-blowout record to 5-2, when "blowout" is defined as a loss either by at least six runs or in which they allowed a total of more than 10 runs.