Pirates’ ‘pen leads league in shaves

PITTSBURGH — The Pirates’ bullpen showed up at PNC Park on Tuesday sporting a new look: shaved heads, from bullpen coach Euclides Rojas to closer Mark Melancon.

Pittsburgh’s relievers came up with the idea over the weekend, figuring a bald head was an effective deterrent to the summer-time heat. It also served as a show of unity, at least physically, for a group that’s come together during a successful run over the last few weeks.

Eight Pirates relievers combined to allow one run over 12 innings of work during Sunday’s marathon, 18-inning victory over the Nationals. Since June 25, the Bucs’ bullpen has posted a 1.14 ERA, the lowest mark in the Majors.

When you’re on that kind of hot streak, why not shave your heads to cool down?

“That’s the part of the game that never ceases to amaze me,” said manager Clint Hurdle, still sporting his usual spiked hair. “They’re kids. It’s summer time. Who didn’t shave their head in the summer time? I was just waiting for them to have a popsicle in their mouth.

“And then, of course, they looked at me. And I said, ‘Oh, no …

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