By Stephen J. Nesbitt / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
PHOENIX — Caution: El Coffee is piping hot.
Right fielder Gregory Polanco hit safely in six of the final seven games of the Pirates homestand, going 11 for 25 with five extra-base hits to raise his average to .323 as the team opened a 10-day road swing Friday at Arizona.
After striking out 13 times in the first six games of this season, Polanco did it just six times in the nine games since. Manager Clint Hurdle suggested the change came when he and Polanco sat down a short while ago and talked things through.