Such a strategy is even more important with cleanup hitter Ryan Doumit out two months after surgery to repair a broken wrist. Manager John Russell believes the Pirates have the tools to endure Doumit's absence.
"We had a good lineup last year with (Jason) Bay and (Xavier) Nady in it, but we were more limited in what we could do," Russell said. "We had to kind of sit back and wait for hits.
"This year, the bottom half of the order can handle the bat pretty well. We can hit and run with Andy (LaRoche), (Jason) Jaramillo and (Robinzon) Diaz. And we've got some speed at the top. It gives us some options."
In the first 12 games of the season, before Doumit got hurt, the Pirates had five stolen bases.
In their first 12 games without Doumit, the Pirates stole eight bases. Nyjer Morgan nabbed three, Nate McLouth got two and Jack Wilson, Freddy Sanchez and Jaramillo stole one apiece.
Morgan has been a catalyst, batting .310 out of the leadoff spot. That ranks second among National League leadoff men, behind Arizona's Felipe Lopez (.341). Through Sunday, Morgan and Lopez each had 31 hits in the leadoff spot, tops in the league.
When Morgan gets on base, more often than not, he is running.
"He's grown a lot in that area," Russell said. "He's not sliding past the bag anymore, he's picking his spots. Instincts are taking over a little bit."
Saturday, Morgan went from first to third when a pitch got away from Cincinnati catcher Ramon Hernandez. Morgan scored on a sacrifice fly.
"You can generate a lot of momentum by making plays like that," Morgan said. "It gets the boys pumped up and the fans, too."
Taking third was no gimmie. Morgan kept his head up as he ran to second base, then took off when he saw Hernandez lollygag to the ball at the screen.
"A year ago, I probably don't do that," Morgan said. "I was more passive. But now, I'm getting more comfortable each day and getting a better feel out there for when I can go."
Substituting speed
Since Ryan Doumit was hurt April 19, the Pirates have stolen eight bases:
Player: SB April 6-19 ??SB April 20-May 3
Nyjer Morgan: 3 ??3
Nate McLouth: 1 ? 2
Freddy Sanchez: 0 ? 1
Jack Wilson: 0 ? 1
Jason Jaramillo: 0 ? 1