BRADENTON, Fla. -- Sunday could have been a very long day for the Pirates.
Going by Stathead's data, there have been 50 games since 2013 where a team used at least nine pitchers in a game that did not go to extra innings. Every single one lasted over three hours, while eight went at least four hours.
After scratching Rich Hill because of illness before the game, the Pirates opted to go with a bullpen/minor-league day for their road game against the Braves and needed nine pitchers to get through the afternoon.