The Pittsburgh Pirates will look to win its afternoon contest Thursday afternoon against the Chicago Cubs. If the Pirates do win it will avoid losing its first four-game series of the season. This afternoon, Charlie Morton will face Kyle Hendricks. Morton is 3-5 with a 4.71 ERA in 13 career starts against the Cubs. Morton won his last start, snapping a three-game losing streak. In the start, Morton allowed two runs on three hits over six innings of work against the Milwaukee ... Read More
Pirates battle against Arrieta, but lose to Cubs in extas
Anthony Rizzo's 12th-inning sacrifice fly was enough to lift the Chicago Cubs past the Pittsburgh Pirates by a 3-2 score Wednesday night. Cubs ace Jake Arrieta was attempting to become the first Cubs pitcher since Jon Lieber in 2001 to record 20 wins. He has thrown 17 straight quality starts and has thrown at least eight innings in his last four starts. His eight-game winning streak, however, was snapped as he had a no-decision. Pirates starter A.J. Burnett went 5.1 innings and escaped ... Read More
Pirates pregame 9/16: Arrieta faces Pirates on Clemente Day
Following a split of the day/night doubleheader, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs will face off once again, this time in the third game of a four-game series. The Pirates have the unenviable task of facing Jake Arrieta tonight on Roberto Clemente Day. Arrieta is looking to be the first Cubs starting pitcher with 20 wins since Jon Lieber accomplished the feat in 2001. “When you’re connected to the game to win 20 games is still impressive," manager Clint Hurdle said. "It’s just so ... Read More
Lester uses complete game effort to shutout Pirates
J.A. Happ battled for 5.2 innings but did not receive any run support as the Pittsburgh Pirates fell to the Chicago Cubs in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader by a 2-1 score. Happ's [5-2] biggest battle came in the fifth inning. David Ross led off with a double, one of his two hits in the game and Jon Lester hit a sacrifice fielder's choice. The throw to Ramirez at third was late as he did not get the tag down in time, something which was confirmed by video review. Dexter Fowler ... Read More
September call-ups make difference in Pirates Game 1 victory
20-plus media members and five camera lined up by Gerrit Cole's locker following the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs Tuesday afternoon as part of a doubleheader. Jordy Mercer observed the scene and was surprised by the growing amounts of media that pay visits to the clubhouse. "They're focused daily and that's one of the reasons why we've been so successful," manager Clint Hurdle said. "We can't control the externals. There's more people that are going to come, more ... Read More
Pirates pregame 9/15: Doubleheader begins highly anticipated series
Sunny skies and at least 18 innings await the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs in today's day/night doubleheader. Gerrit Cole and J.A. Happ will throw for the Pirates against Jason Hammel and Jon Lester. Cole is 6-1 against the Cubs with a 2.93 ERA in seven career starts. He last pitched Sept. 6 against the St. Louis Cardinals allowing two hits in seven scoreless innings. "I'm getting to see him for the first time this year," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "This guy is a really good ... Read More
Sources: Worley rejoins Pirates for doubleheader
Doubleheaders generally mean that extra arms are brought up and this held true Tuesday as multiple sources tell Pittsburgh Sporting News that the Pittsburgh Pirates brought up Vance Worley in advance for both games today. Worley was originally designated for assignment when the team acquired Joe Blanton from the Kansas City Royals. The team was in Cincinnati to play the Reds when this first happened and when he spoke with media, Worley did not appear pleased by the decision. He was the odd ... Read More
Bucs come back to beat Brewers in extras
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle had a speaking engagement for 6:30 and dinner with his family two hours later. Both were in jeopardy. With Sunday afternoon's game in the 11th inning and runners on the corners with one out, the defense shifted into double play depth. “You’re gambling," Hurdle said. "You’ve got the game on the line.” The result was an inning-ending double play and Jared Hughes, pumped his fist from the mound after the play unfolded. “When the ball goes off the ... Read More
The Pirates are ready for some football
Rick Sofield is a known New York Giants fan, so it came as no surprise that he flipped out when he saw Chris Stewart with a personalized Dallas Cowboys jersey hanging by his locker. "That son of a [gun] has a Dallas Cowboys jersey," an outraged Sofield said. Sofield immediately responded putting on a Giants shirt much to Stewart's chagrin. Week one of the NFL season is always a phenomenon all across he country and the Pirates certainly are not immune. "It’s a nice distraction for us ... Read More
Neal Huntington talks about assistant Tyrone Brooks and inning counts
It is a time of the year that is starting to become commonplace for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team is in both a division and wild card race and each decision is becoming more important than the next. With that in mind, Pirates general manager Neal Huntington discussed innings counts and director of player personnel Tyrone Brooks reportedly being courted by the Milwaukee Brewers for their vacant general manager position. Brooks is in his 20th year in baseball and has had stops with the ... Read More