PITTSBURGH - You can't win a doubleheader without all 26 men.
Thanks to a policy change in Major League Baseball, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Colorado Rockies will play today's 12:35 doubleheader with 26-man rosters.
Teams complained that make-up doubleheaders caused havoc to pitching staffs, so the new policy was implemented.
Pirates general manager Neal Huntington didn't want to reveal what player the Pirates would add, but did say the extra man will be a relief pitcher.
The doubleheader came about when Monday's schedule was called off because of cold weather and rain.
The extra player is strictly a temp: He'll go back to the minor leagues after the games are over.
It has to be someone who is already on the 40-man roster.
Veteran presence
The Pirates had a chance to face 49-year-old Jamie Moyer, just as their manager did when he was a player.
Clint Hurdle, 54, faced Moyer in 1986 as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Hurdle emphasized patience when facing Moyer. At this point in his career, Moyer's slow and slower repertoire relies on hitters being over-anxious and getting themselves out.
"It's all about discipline," Hurdle said. "If your mindset is to jump a pitch, you're playing into his strength."
The Pirates' staff dug up a couple of interesting notes on Moyer's history against the team.
Moyer's first start against the Pirates was on Aug. 11, 1986 at Wrigley Field, pitching for the Cubs.
He lasted 1 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs while losing, 10-7, to Rick Rhoden.
Moyer's first appearance in Pittsburgh was on June 27, 1987. He lost, 7-0, that day to right-hander Rick Reuschel, allowing six runs in five innings.
Hurdle said he's enjoyed Moyer's comeback story from afar.
"I'm proud of him," Hurdle said. "I'm very happy for him."
