clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Dodgers Vs. Pirates: Andrew McCutchen Benched In Series Finale

Andrew McCutchen has been benched for the finale of the Pirates' four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at PNC Park Thursday night. In his place, Xavier Paul will lead off and start in center field.

McCutchen was apparently upset about a strike call in Wednesday night's game, and he failed to run to first on a strikeout when Dodgers backstop Rod Barajas didn't catch the ball. It wasn't the first such strange incident for McCutchen recently - he also was caught jogging on the bases during the Pirates' previous series against the Astros, and he made an out between third and home.

The benching comes at a time when he and the Pirates' front office are repeatedly in the midst of talks about a contract extension.

Here's the lineup for Thursday night's game:

1. Xavier Paul CF

2. Jose Tabata LF

3. Garrett Jones RF

4. Neil Walker 2B

5. Pedro Alvarez 3B

6. Lyle Overbay 1B

7. Chris Snyder C

8. Ronny Cedeno SS

9. Charlie Morton P

Jon Garland will be the starter for the Dodgers.

Photographs by dizfunk used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.