PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates patiently waited six years for former No. 2 overall draft pick Jameson Taillon to make the major leagues. So far, hes been worth the wait.The Pirates didnt call up Taillon until two months into the season but, thanks to several reshufflings of their rotation, hes now settled into what effectively is the No. 2 man in their rotation. And its taken Taillon only nine starts in the big leagues to do that.Taillon will make start No. 10 Thursday afternoon against the San Diego Padres after going 2-2 with a 3.29 ERA, 43 strikeouts and only six walks in 52 innings during his first nine starts.Taillon has been in the majors long enough that he doesnt feel like a rookie any longer, even though he clearly is.The 24-year-old Taillons latest start was typical of the way hes pitched to date; he gave up only one run in six innings Friday against the Cincinnati Reds, although he didnt get the decision in a game the Pirates won 3-2.Hes got some tools to work with, and hes learning more each and every time out there, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. It was another night for him to grow.Taillon is quickly growing into an irreplaceable piece of the Pirates pitching puzzle.He has allowed only eight earned runs in 30 innings over his last five starts, walking a single batter. Not surprisingly, the Pirates have won five of his last six starts, even though the right-hander was on the disabled list with right shoulder fatigue from July 5-19.Taillon hasnt won since June 29 at Seattle, or at all in five starts at PNC Park, but the Pirates are 4-1 in those games.Taillon will oppose Padres left-hander Christian Friedrich (4-7, 4.76 ERA), who makes his ninth start on the road of his 16 overall starts. Friedrich pitched a season-high seven innings in his last start Aug. 5 vs. the Philadelphia Phillies, permitting four runs and five hits.Friedrich, like Taillon, is a former first-round draft pick -- and one of 13 starters the Padres have used this season.For the most part, I thought he was really good all day, Padres manager Andy Green said -- with the exceptions being the home run and double he allowed to the Phillies Cameron Rupp.The Padres and Pirates will play for the sixth and final time this season, with the Padres leading the season series 3-2 following their 4-0 win Wednesday behind Edwin Jackson and two relievers, who combined to allow only two singles.San Diego is one of the more aggressive teams in the majors stealing bases -- theyre third in the majors with 99 steals -- and that was evident Wednesday as Travis Jankowski pulled off a rare steal of home in the eighth inning.Jankowski detected that reliever Antonio Bastardo wasnt watching him closely as the left-hander focused on his matchup with Alex Dickerson, so he took off for the plate and scored as catcher Eric Fryer fumbled Bastardos hurried throw home.We run the bases with a ton of aggression and steal a lot of bases -- but we take whats given to us, Green said. That was probably more of a gamble ... but it worked out because Travis has the ability to create anxiety in other people when hes running the bases. He took it upon himself (to go) ... and if youre going to take a chance, thats the time to take one. Hydro Flask 32 Oz Black Friday . In taking its goal tally to 99 in all competitions already this season, City delivered another demonstration of its lethal firepower at Etihad Stadium to set up a fourth-round match at home to another second-tier team -- Watford. Hydro Flask 40 Oz Black Friday .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. http://www.hydroflask32oz.com/standard-mouth/18-oz.html . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. Hydro Flask 32 Oz Sale . Luis Suarezs double powered Liverpool to a 4-0 victory over Fulham, and Southampton easily overcame Hull 4-1 to continue the south coast clubs impressive start to the season. Liverpool and Southampton sent Chelsea down to fourth place as the west London club was held to 2-2 at home. Hydro Flask Wine Tumbler Sale . Durant finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Jackson matched his career high with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Lamb scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, lifting the Thunder to a 94-88 win over San Antonio and snapping the Spurs 11-game winning streak.Baylor wide receiver Corey Coleman is one of the top prospects in tonights NFL draft and hopes to make a smooth transition from college football. The 21-year-old has been compared to Baltimore Ravens superstar Steve Smith after his successful spell with Baylor Bears.Concerns have been raised about Colemans ability to adjust to the professional game, given the limited route tree he ran in Baylors offence. But Coleman is keen to make a big impact in the NFL and is eagerly waiting to find out which team will secure his services.ddddddddddddClick on the video above to see Corey Colemans interview.The 2016 NFL Draft will be live on Sky Sports 1 HD at midnight on Thursday Also See: NFL Draft LIVE! Premier League players drafted NFL Draft: Goff v Wentz How to watch the NFL Draft Wholesale NFL Hoodies Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Black Jerseys NFL Jerseys From China Cheap NFL T-shirts Youth NFL Jerseys Cheap Discount NFL Jerseys ' ' '