Ryan Doumit got his first day off of the season Thursday, but the Pittsburgh catcher shouldn't expect too many others.
The Pirates lose their cleanup hitter when Doumit is given a day off. Thus, manager John Russell isn't inclined to give Doumit as much rest as a normal catcher might receive over the course of a 162-game schedule. Russell would like Doumit to catch at least 140 games this season. That is a heavy workload for a catcher, but Russell believes Doumit can handle it.
"He's in great shape, and he's more dedicated now that he's ever been to getting in the weight room with (strength and conditioning coach) Frank Velasquez after games," Russell said. "He is in outstanding shape."
The Pirates have had a catcher appear in 140 games behind the plate just 13 times in their history. Jason Kendall did so six times. George Gibson and Tony Pena reached that level three times each, and Manny Sanguillen set the club record with 151 games caught in 1974.
The Pirates gained defensively last season on days Doumit was rested because veteran backup Raul Chavez had a stronger arm and was a more experienced game-caller. However, Russell believes Doumit has improved his defense and has benefited from having Joe Kerrigan as the new pitching coach this season.
"Joe has done a good job of really keeping Ryan focused on the next inning," Russell said. "He's always talking to Ryan before the inning about who's coming up and how to attack those hitters."
ASTROS 6, PIRATES 3: Sean Burnett gave up a three-run home run to Lance Berkman in the sixth inning that snapped a 3-3 tie and dropped the Pirates under .500 for the first time this season at 4-5. Nyjer Morgan had three hits for the Pirates, and Jeff Karstens, making his first start of the season, allowed three runs on four hits and five walks in four innings.
