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Glasnow’s next test versus Cubs

By John Mehno

For the Mirror

PITTSBURGH — Maybe the last thing Clint Hurdle said was truly the bottom line on Tyler Glasnow’s first start of the season.

“There’s work to be done,” Hurdle said.

There certainly is. Glasnow couldn’t get out of the second inning on Monday night against the Cincinnati Reds. His poor start helped doom the Pirates to a 7-1 loss.

It was painful to watch as Glasnow walked four consecutive batters at one point. Overall, he struggled to find the strike zone, and was completely unable to stop the running game.

The same problems plagued him last year when he was promoted to the major leagues amid much anticipation.

His performance had social media and the talk show lines jumping Monday night.

“I’ve got to stay competitive, stay focused on the glove and be athletic,” Glasnow said.

Glasnow said he was trying too hard in the second inning, and that gets him away from his usual pitching mechanics.

“I lengthen out, and I lose a lot of power,” he said.

His next scheduled start is Saturday afternoon, against the Cubs in Chicago. He and pitching coach Ray Searage will work between now and then.

“At least now I can identify it, work on it now and get back in and know what I can do next start,” Glasnow said.

And maybe the last thing he said was his bottom line, too.

“Just throw it away, move on, get ready to pitch in five days,” he said.

Stepping up

Wade LeBlanc saved a lost night for the Pirates by pitching five-plus innings after Glasnow left in the second inning.

Such is the life of a long reliever. LeBlanc said he pays attention from the start to anticipate if he might be needed.

“You see things unfold and kind of get an idea of what they’re going to do,” he said.

LeBlanc, 32, is a survivor. He’s a former starting pitcher and the Pirates are his seventh major league team since he debuted with San Diego in 2008.

Long relief isn’t a glamour role, but he doesn’t mind.

“If I want to stay in the big leagues with the Pirates, this is what I have to do,” he said. “I have to be ready to pitch six innings every night.”

LeBlanc batted twice with the bases loaded in Monday’s game. Hurdle said he had limited options in the bullpen and didn’t want to overwork his relievers, so he didn’t call on a pinch hitter.

Although LeBlanc didn’t contribute offensively, he came into this season with a .243 career average.

Harrison returns

Second baseman Josh Harrison was back in the starting lineup Tuesday after missing one game.

Harrison was hit in the right calf by a pitch in Sunday’s game against Atlanta.

Coming back

Catcher Devin Mesoraco, a Punxsutawney native, is on a minor league rehab assignment in the Reds’ minor league system.

He’s had no setbacks in the injury rehab stint, which expires on April 25.

Mesoraco had surgery on his left shoulder and right hip last year. He has appeared in just 39 major league games over the past two seasons because of injury issues.

Mesoraco was the Reds’ first-round draft choice in 2007, the 15th player taken overall.

Mehno can be reached at johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com

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