Worth noting

• Dave Parker was a major part of the 1979 World Series champion "We Are Family" Pirates, and that extended family expressed concern and well-wishes upon learning the former outfielder, 62, has dealt for 18 months with a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.

• Hurdle rated 14 of 16 starts by reigning NL Player of the Week Francisco Liriano as having been "really, really good" and said it will be hard to ignore him in Cy Young Award talks if he continues to pitch well.

"There are so many good experts out there," Hurdle said. "I'm sure they'll pick up on something if he stays hot."

• This ongoing three-game series against Miami will conclude the Pirates' schedule against NL East teams, against which they were 17-14 prior to Tuesday.