Jameson Taillon wasn't even going to dignify Clint Hurdle's question with an answer.
"You have any pitches left?"
That was the manager, approaching his starting pitcher in the dugout late Sunday afternoon. Eighth inning. All zeroes on opponents' portion of the PNC Park scoreboard. Pitch count: 95.
The starting pitcher didn't respond with so much as a syllable. Barely budged. Only enough to glare.
"OK, go get it."
That was the manager, too.
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TAP FOR BOXSCORE, STANDINGS, VIDEO[/caption]
The starting pitcher took the ball back for the ninth, pumped fastball after fastball for strike after strike and, soon enough, strode off the mound -- his mound, as he'd made abundantly clear -- with a one-hit, seven-strikeout, 110-pitch shutout that carried the Pirates past the Reds, 5-0.
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