While doing a national radio gig yesterday afternoon, I was actually asked whether the Pirates had any concerns about Mark Melancon’s shrinking strikeout rate and whether it might jeopardize his job as the team’s closer. Seriously.

I mean, are you kidding? A few hours later, the guy went out and converted his 22nd consecutive save — nine of which, by the way, have been one-run, no-margin-for-error saves, matching the total of those he had all last season.

Oh — and he did it by striking out all three Reds he faced. How’s that for a strikeout rate?. .. 

The Bucs will admit to having gotten away with one last night. About the time Jeff Locke surrendered his seventh hit to his 11th batter, they had to be regretting not having activated Chris Volstad to the game roster. He’d been paged from Indianapolis “as a precaution” in case they deemed an extra bullpen arm was needed — which certainly appeared to be the case in the early going. … 

Typically, outfielders are praised for their ability to go back on balls. But is there anyone better at coming in for balls than Starling Marte? Two snares last night any other left fielder would have fielded on a hop, no thought whatsoever to going for the catch. … 

The 7-run fourth inning was the Bucs’ first multi-homer inning at home since … Opening Day, when Pedro Alvarez and Corey Hart went yard in the seventh inning against the Tigers. …