DENVER -- Right fielder Gregory Polanco and third baseman Aramis Ramirez were not in the starting lineup on Thursday afternoon, but their absences had nothing to do with rest after the Pirates clinched a postseason berth for a third straight year with their 13-7 win over the Rockies on Wednesday night.
Ramirez also sat out on Wednesday after straining his left groin while running out a triple on Tuesday and leaving that game. Polanco has a sore left knee, the result of an awkward slide into second base after he hit a double in the ninth inning on Wednesday.