Worth noting

By Tom Singer

August 15, 2013

• In 41 appearances covering 56 innings, Pirates reliever Vin Mazzaro has allowed 16 runs -- only two more than he gave up in one 2 1/3-inning outing for the Royals on May 16, 2011.

• Looking forward to a possible playoff run-in with the Dodgers? Los Angeles is 41-11 since its last series loss. That came in Pittsburgh, on June 14-16.

• Pedro Alvarez's next home run will make him the first third baseman in Pirates history with two seasons of 30-plus homers.

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.