It's hard to believe, but the most important at-bat came two batters into the bottom of the second inning. Josh Harrison was facing St. Louis Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright, with Gregory Polanco on second base after a lead-off double that hit off the Clemente Wall in right field. Harrison took a 2-1 offering and hit a ground ball, which allowed Polanco to advance to third base. Not only did this move a runner forward, something which was not done in the first inning when the Pittsburgh ... Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates 2016 season preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates begin another season of baseball and with this one, the expectations are high. For three seasons now, the Pirates have shown themselves as being legitimate contenders in the National League, but it is being perceived that this season will be a step back. Instead of doing a traditional preview format, it would perhaps be easier to answer questions to determine if this season could be another good one for the Pirates. Are the rotation and bench good enough to win a ... Read More
Pirates trim roster to 35
The Pittsburgh Pirates made several moves Tuesday morning which bring the team closer to finding its major league roster. Infielder Jake Goebbert, pitcher Trey Haley and Rob Scahill were all sent to Triple-A Indianapolis while outfielders Danny Ortiz and Antoan Richardson in addition to pitchers Curtis Patsch and Robert Zarate each got reassigned to minor league camp. Goebbert was an early off-season signing who provided a left-handed bat with capabilities of playing first base and right ... Read More
O’Flaherty traded to Braves
With Opening Day, a week away, the Pittsburgh Pirates elected to trade Eric O'Flaherty to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash considerations. The story was broken by Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and confirmed by the Pirates. O'Flaherty is a left-handed relief pitcher who was in the conversation for a bullpen spot, though this trade translates into the fact that he would not have made the team. In 10 Spring Training games, O'Flaherty was 0-1 with a 2.89 ERA. This included allowing 15 hits ... Read More
McCutchen continues producing in loss
Andrew McCutchen openly admits that he was not 100 percent at the beginning of last season. His leg injury was especially difficult because that is where he gets his power from. This season McCutchen made it a point to work on his legs in the off-season and it has served him well. McCutchen struck again in the first inning of Sunday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays hitting an opposite field home run. He has now homered in three consecutive games and four of the past five. That would ... Read More
Pirates offense, Cole return in win
Sunday was an important day for Pittsburgh Pirates fans as it was their first chance to see Gerrit Cole on a mound in game action. Cole suffered a rib inflammation and it delayed the start of his throwing program. He was able to throw his two scheduled innings as the Pirates won 9-5 over the Detroit Tigers in front of a sold out crowd at McKechnie Field. 8,771 fans attended Sunday's game, the third-largest crowd in McKechnie Field history. Cole was able to use all of his pitches in the ... Read More
Pirates held scoreless against Tigers
Pittsburgh Pirates starter Jeff Locke appeared comfortable setting down 10 consecutive Detroit Tigers batters, that was until J.D. Martinez stepped up to the plate. The Tigers were already up 1-0 and Martinez's solo shot provided breathing room and helped result in a 3-0 win over the Pirates. This home run put a damper on what appeared to be a good outing for Locke. Locke was stretched out to four innings and appeared to respond well allowing two runs on two hits. He also walked a ... Read More
Liriano gets opening day nod
Clint Hurdle told reporters Friday that because of Gerrit Cole's injury, it will be Francisco Liriano gets the opportunity to pitch opening day Sunday for the Pittsburgh Pirates April 3 against the St. Louis Cardinals. Cole has not yet appeared in a game because of right rib inflammation. As a result his first Spring Training appearance has been delayed and will be Sunday against the Detroit Tigers. Hurdle further told reporters that while Cole is now healthy Cole did not start his ... Read More
Pirates lose second straight to Phillies
Offense has not been hard to come by of late for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but the team managed four hits in a 4-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. Josh Bell hit 1-for-2 at the plate in Tuesday's game and has safely reached base in the past five games. Harold Ramirez made the most of his lone plate appearance earning a single. Ramirez has seven hits in his last 10 at-bats Niese struggles It certainly was an outing to forget for Jonathon Niese and not because he lost to go 0-2 on the ... Read More
Pirates even record with Spring Training win
Saturday showed a youth movement in Orlando as the Pirates used several pitching prospects against the Atlanta Braves. It was an up-and-down day for Pirates pitching, but the offense came through for a 9-6 win against the Braves. Glasnow and Taillon a mixed bag Those Pirates fans who made the trip were excited to see top pitching prospects Tyler Glasnow and Jameson Taillon pitch, however neither were able to have clean outings Saturday. Glasnow threw 1.2 innings and had control ... Read More