Monday, June 27, 2016

Liriano looks to snap slump, lock up LA sweep

Pirates starter Francisco Liriano will look to claw his way out of a rut Monday afternoon when he faces off with Dodgers starter Scott Kazmir in the finale of a four-game series at PNC Park.
Liriano (4-7, 5.17 ERA) is 4-0 with a 2.37 ERA in five career starts vs. Los Angeles, but he's gone five straight games without registering a win. In that span, he has walked 19 batters.
Kazmir (5-3, 4.52 ERA) has registered three no-decisions and one win in June.
Things to know about this game
• The Pirates will look to complete a four-game sweep of the Dodgers, who have struggled against Pittsburgh recently, going 1-5 last year and losing 14 of their last 17 games in the matchup. 
• Pittsburgh shortstop Jordy Mercer is on an 11-game hitting streak, hitting .382 during that time. Mercer left in the first inning of Sunday's game after taking Chase Utley's knee to the head when attempting to slide to second base.
• Kazmir has not pitched against the Pirates since 2008 as a member of the Rays, when he allowed three runs on five hits in five innings and earned the win.

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