Worth noting

• Pirates pitchers' gopher problem has not only been a road worry. They have allowed 19 home runs in the first 23 home games -- matching the total surrendered in the final 46 home games of 2013.

• Tony Watson needed 37 pitches to get through 1 1/3 innings in Sunday's nightcap, the fifth most he has made in 198 appearances with the Bucs. Three of his four highest pitch counts have come against the Cardinals, topped by the 42 in three innings on Aug. 15, 2013.

• Jason Grilli (left oblique) is set to throw bullpen sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, and his response to the back-to-back test may dictate whether the Pirates will activate him without a Minor League rehab detour.