Reliever Beimel feels he belongs at PNC Park

Joe Beimel has pitched in 35 big league ballparks, including a handful their either aren't used or no longer exist. Out of all of them, he is most at ease at PNC Park.

"I always feel comfortable here (at PNC Park)," Beimel said. "It's just my home. I'm comfortable with the people, the fans, the bullpen, the mound, everything."

On Saturday, Beimel, an 11-year veteran, made his 102nd appearance at PNC Park. Only five pitchers, including two who've retired, have pitched here more often.

Chicago Cubs reliever John Grabow has logged more time on the mound at PNC Park than anyone — 197 career outings.

"It's a pitcher's park, definitely," said Grabow, who played for the Pirates from 2003-09. "If you're facing a lot of righties, it gives you a better chance to keep the ball in the park. When I was here, we had Jack (Wilson) and Freddy (Sanchez) up the middle and we always had a good center fielder, like (Nyjer) Morgan and (Nate) McLouth. We always had some guys who could burn in the outfield and run down some balls, so that helped a lot."

Beimel and Grabow have better ERAs and WHIP ratios at PNC Park compared to their career numbers. Both relievers mentioned the pitcher's mound as being a factor.

"It's consistent with the bullpen mound," Beimel said. "Some places, you'll throw on the bullpen mound and you get on the mound (on the field) and it's completely different. You think your front foot's going to land, but it just keeps falling. It can throw you off."

Grabow added that the mound at PNC Park holds up better in later innings than other hills.

"That's a big thing for those of us who come in late in the game," Grabow said. "Some places, when you get to the sixth or seventh inning, it's already chewed up. This mound's always been pretty good."

Familiar surroundings

On Saturday, Pirates reliever Joe Beimel made his 102nd appearance at PNC Park. Only five pitchers have made more outings there:

Pitcher (Apps.)

John Grabow(197)

Salomon Torres(188)

Matt Capps(154)

Scott Sauerbeck(108)

Damaso Marte(103)

— Rob Biertempfel

Rob BIERTEMPFEL's COLUMN

When asked what the Pirates must do this weekend to finally win a series — or simply win a game — against the Brewers at Miller Park, manager Clint Hurdle issued a plea to his pitchers.

"We need our starters to put a foot down and get involved," Hurdle said.

Paul Maholm and Kevin Correia, who will start the first two games, are a combined 0-3 with a 6.35 ERA against the Brewers this year. Charlie Morton, who blanked the Giants on Monday, hasn't faced the Brewers this season.

The Pirates are 0-5 against the Brewers in 2011, including three losses at Miller Park. In those games, the pitchers have a 6.00 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.

The trouble is, those stomach-churning stats are a trend and not a fluke. Last season, the Pirates had a 6.46 ERA and 1.63 WHIP against Milwaukee. In 2009, those numbers were 5.40 ERA and 1.52 WHIP. In 2008, it was 5.93 and 1.65.

More scary digits: 3-33 — that's the Pirates' record at Miller Park since 2007.

"We haven't pitched well against them, especially at their place," Hurdle said. "Not many teams have. They've got a dominant home record. You've got to make them uncomfortable at the plate. You've got to keep them guessing and keep them off balance."

This is a tricky time to depend on the starting rotation; it was the biggest culprit during the recent 10-game losing skid.

"We know what's in front of us," Hurdle said. "We've got to play better than we're playing right now. We've got to play complete games. We understand the intensity of the series we're about to embark upon, no doubt about it."

MINOR LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT: Indianapolis pitcher Rudy Owens

Pitching prospect Rudy Owens' season took another hit this week when he was placed on the disabled list with left shoulder soreness and fatigue.

Owens was the organization's minor league Pitcher of the Year in 2009 with Single-A West Virginia and Lynchburg and again in 2010, when he went 12-6 with an Eastern League-leading 2.46 ERA with Double-A Altoona.

But the left-hander has struggled with command this year in Triple-A Indianapolis, with a 9-7 record and 5.05 ERA in 21 starts. Owens gave up five runs on eight hits in 2.2 innings on Aug. 5, his last start before going on the disabled list.

"Rudy had the success that he had because he commanded three pitches; the ability to throw three pitches for strikes," general manager Neal Huntington said. "His command has been inconsistent this year, and not just over outings but within outings. The other night, he was cruising along well and the wheels fell off in the third inning.

"Sometimes, you take 10 steps forward and sometimes, you take two steps back, and Rudy's taken a couple steps back this year."

Owens, who was the Pirates' 28th round pick in 2006, will be evaluated daily.

— Karen Price