Bucs opt for Snider's bat over Pie's speed, defense

PITTSBURGH -- In assembling his 25-man roster for a one-game playoff round, Clint Hurdle said consideration was given to all 35 men who finished out the season with the Pirates. But in reality, the manager had to make only one hard decision.

Felix Pie or Travis Snider as the extra left-handed-hitting outfielder?

In going with Snider, Hurdle essentially went with his bat over Pie's defense and baserunning speed. While Pie batted .138 overall in limited playing time and went 2-for-9 as pinch-hitter, Snider had three pinch-hit home runs among his total of five.

"Snider has provided us with the most productive left‑handed bat off the bench," Hurdle said. "The home runs, the RBIs [seven in a pinch], he's given us some big swings this year.

"In lieu of Felix's baserunning and the defense, we felt more inclined to go with Travis."

Snider is 5-for-11 with three RBIs off the usual first man out of Cincinnati's bullpen, Alfredo Simon. He is hitless in 13 at-bats against the rest of the Reds' bullpen.

The right-handed complement to Snider on the bench is Jose Tabata. The pair back up the starting outfield of Starling Marte, Andrew McCutchen and Marlon Byrd.