Rain postpones Brewers-Pirates game

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jeff Karstens has told his manager he’d be willing to start on only a day’s notice.

Clint Hurdle gave him some extra time. A rainout Tuesday helped even more.

Hours before the Pirates’ game against the Milwaukee Brewers was postponed due to rain Tuesday night, Hurdle announced that Karstens would take Ross Ohlendorf’s spot in the rotation.

“He’s fresh and he’s ready and he’s coming off a large volume of pitches,” Hurdle said.

Ohlendorf left his last start Friday during the third inning due to a strained shoulder, and he was replaced by Karstens. Karstens promptly threw 31/3 scoreless innings, allowing the Pirates to stay in a game they ultimately won 4-3 in 14 innings.

That was typical for Karstens, who has served in a variety of roles for Pittsburgh since being acquired in a trade from the New York Yankees in 2008. Karstens made 41 starts over his first 21/2 seasons with the club, and he’s also made 36 relief appearances ranging from long man to set-up guy.

“I’ve had several conversations with him, and I know he doesn’t have an agenda,” Hurdle said. “Most players have an agenda. He wants to pitch.”

Karstens originally was to pitch the series finale against Milwaukee on Thursday, but the rainout pushed him back into the weekend series in Cincinnati.