First off, apologies for not posting on Saturday before the finale of the Myrtle Beach series. Chalk it up to technical difficulties. Had a post ready to go, and then the user interface wouldn’t let me back in to actually post it. So that stinks. Anyway, on to some news and notes from today as the Hillcats resume an odd home-and-home four-game series with the Salem Red Sox.

—More news out of Pittsburgh today on the trade front. The Pirates shipped backup OF Eric Hinske to the New York Yankees for two minor leaguers—RHP Casey Erickson and OF Eric Fryer, the latter of whom will join the Lynchburg roster Wednesday.

Hinske hit .255 with one home run and 11 RBIs in 106 at-bats for the Pirates, and he gives the Yankees some insurance in the outfield, one thinned by an injury to Xavier Nady. Neither Erickson nor Fryer were among Baseball America’s top 30 prospects in the New York system.

Fryer’s numbers—.250, 2 HR, 24 RBIs, 11 SB for Advanced-A Tampa of the Florida State League. He spent most of his time playing left field and batting second, though he also played some at catcher and in right field. Jared Keel has been the everyday left fielder here, but Keel has struggled of late, with only one multi-hit game since June 1. His average has dropped from .268 to .243 in that time.

Erickson’s numbers—3-3, 2.25 ERA in 21 appearances (3 starts) for Low-A Charleston (S.C.) of the South Atlantic League. He’ll probably switch Charlestons and join Low-A West Virginia. Erickson has struck out 37 and walked 13.

—The Pirates also made a trade at the major-league level, sending former Hillcats Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett to Washington in exchange for OF Lastings Milledge and P Joel Hanrahan. This trade inspired some heated discussion in the press box between a traveling scout and Hillcats workers. It seems like the Pirates are banking on Milledge, who is 23, finally living up to his vast potential. Hanrahan seems like a throwaway part. He’s 27 and lost his job as Nationals closer earlier this season. He’s got a career ERA of 5.30. Burnett was a former first-round Pirates’ pick who was a non-descript 1-2 with a 3.06 ERA in a relief role in Pittsburgh.

—Some notes from tonight’s game ...

* The Hillcats are putting an interesting defensive lineup out there tonight. Chase d’Arnaud, who played nothing but shortstop at Low-A West Virginia, is playing second base tonight for the first time since he was 10 years old, Hillcats broadcasting guru Scott Bacon tells me. Jordy Mercer remains at shortstop and Jose De Los Santos shifts over and gets a start at third, his first ever at the position.

* If the name Eammon Portice sounds familiar to Liberty baseball fans, it should. Portice was a standout pitcher at High Point before being drafted by the Red Sox. Portice has been outstanding of late, save for one bumpy start against Kinston June 17 (9 H, 6 ER, 4 1/3 IP). In the other three starts in the last four—18 IP, 0 ER, 3 BB, 17 K.

* Mercer is starting to hit like a three-hole hitter should. In his last three games, he’s hitting 7-for-13 with four doubles, a homer, three RBIs and four runs scored.

* Hillcats closer R.J. Rodriguez hasn’t allowed an earned run since May 18. He’s a perfect 15-for-15 in save chances.

* RHP Harvey Garcia, who was called up from the Gulf Coast League Monday, pitched a scoreless inning Monday in his Hillcat debut.