Hurdle keeps Marte in lineup

Clint Hurdle was never going to bench Starling Marte for failing to run out a double play ball Monday night.

Nor should the Pirates manager have considered it.

For a millisecond. While many Pirates fans clamored for Hurdle to send some sort message — the way he did to Marte in August — there are a few reasons Hurdle ( rightly) did what he does pretty much every day and had Marte in center field, batting third for the second game of a three- game series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

For one, the Pirates began the day on a four- game losing streak out of the break. They need wins and probably need defensive help, too, with Dario Agrazal on the mound.

Unlike last year, when the Pirates were nine games behind when Marte was benched, they started the game against St. Louis 5 ½ back in the division and 3 ½ out of the wild card.

Furthermore, Hurdle would be taking out of his lineup someone who has homered three times in four games out of the All- Star break and is slashing .302/. 342/. 531 in 44 games since May 25 — or since Hurdle shifted Marte into the No. 3 spot.

Speaking Tuesday, Hurdle described the Marte situation as “parental” and said the player just needs a little reminder every once in a while.

“Starling’s shown a mechanism every once in a while, when he’s disappointed in himself, he just kind of hits pause,” Hurdle said. “It’s not what you want.

“However, he’s done it. And he knows it’s not right. Sometimes he gets outside himself. You saw the next time he hits a ball in the infield and runs it out [ in the ninth inning]. The way he’s played for a month, sometimes they need firm reminders.

“Sometimes it’s a gentle reminder. Sometimes it’s a firm reminder. It’s pretty parental, really, in the long run. The reminder is always you’re representing 24. There’s 24 other men you’re representing. It’s not just him. There’s been some other circumstances in the past couple weeks, whether it be preparation or something that you may not see but we’re aware of in here.”

Marte failing to run hard did potentially cost the Pirates a run, as Adam Frazier was rounding third and might well have scored. But it would’ve turned a 7- 0 loss into 7- 1, most likely.

Addressing the issue with Marte Monday night was really the only thing the play warranted — like Hurdle said, some sort of reminder.

Asked about the play on Tuesday, Marte didn’t seem to agree with the assessment that he loafed it down to first.

“I ran hard,” Marte said through interpreter Mike Gonzalez. “I just didn’t get there safe.”

Taillon tracking

Jameson Taillon threw from 90 feet Tuesday and will throw again Wednesday. After an off- day Thursday, Taillon expects to start throwing every day, increasing the distance each time.

“Just to see the ball fly is nice,” said Taillon, who made about 15 throws from 90 feet before gradually moving in closer. “I’m truly trying to do this just one day at a time. Just to see the ball fly and get to play catch is pretty relieving.”

Digging deeper

Keona Kela allowed two runs in a third of inning of relief Monday night in his second appearance of his current rehabilitation assignment with Class AAA Indianapolis.

While it doesn’t look great on paper, Hurdle said it’s more nuanced than just numbers.

“Downhill angle, good velocity, he threw some really good breaking balls,” Hurdle said.