WASHINGTON — Pirates manager Clint Hurdle flipped through a stat booklet before the game Saturday against the Washington Nationals and remarked, “Did you know that was [Gregory] Polanco’s first grounder into a double play this season?”
Polanco’s seventh-inning double-play grounder Friday came in his 227th at-bat of the season. He has been doubled up just twice in 504 career at-bats.
“That’s one of the things I watch all the time throughout the year — hardest to double up,” Hurdle said. “He’s been up there every day.”
Polanco hit a grounder up the middle Friday, and Nationals shortstop Danny Espinosa fielded it, stepped on second and threw out Polanco at first.