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Pirates' Hurdle benches Marte for baserunning goofs

Justin Berl / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Starling Marte will be watching Monday's series opener against the Atlanta Braves from the bench.

Manager Clint Hurdle decided to bench Marte for a lack of effort during Sunday's game against the Chicago Cubs, according to Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"I thought there could have been better effort just to finish the play," Hurdle said. "So did the fans. First time I’ve heard the fans - he’s worked his way back into good graces with the fans after what he’s gone through, and they’ve supported him. There was a disappointment from them yesterday. I just encouraged him, it’s always about effort. Once you get back up on your feet, run."

The first goof occurred when he jogged to first instead of running down the line to beat a soft grounder to Cubs infielder David Bote.

The second came when Marte tried to score from third base on a David Freese ground ball in the sixth inning. He was easily thrown out while in a rundown, preserving the 1-1 tie.

(Video courtesy: MLB.com)

Hurdle said he - and Marte's teammates - encouraged Marte and challenged him afterwards. Marte said his teammates did not talk to him about it, per Brink.

It's not the first time this season that Marte has wound up riding the pine. In early July, he was benched after a woeful stretch at the plate when he hit .194 throughout June.

Marte accepted this benching, though he didn't see an alternative option.

"It’s the decision that our manager made and I respect it," Marte said through interpreter Mike Gonzalez. "I don’t have a say-so over that and I’m just going to submit to it."

Adam Frazier is playing center and batting second in Marte's place.

Despite the struggles in June and the most recent issues with effort, Marte is having a solid season. The 29-year-old is batting .275/.319/.464 with 17 home runs and 28 stolen bases.

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