Earlier in the season, the Pittsburgh Pirates swept a road series against the San Francisco Giants. The Pirates hope to do the same in a four-game series that begins tonight. In tonight’s game, Charlie Morton [7-4 4.36 ERA] takes on Jake Peavy [3-5 4.18 ERA]. Morton is 3-4 with a 2.84 ERA in 11 career starts against the Giants. In his last start Morton earned a no-decision allowing three runs [two earned] on four hits in 6.4 innings against the New York Mets. Morton's journey this ... Read More
Happ back on track with Pirates
It was the smallest of sample sizes, one start but it was enough for the Pittsburgh Pirates to push the reset button on J.A. Happ. The results, though again a small sample size, have been very encouraging. Happ had a successful first half, however he came to the Pirates with the lowest average appearance length among starting pitchers with 20 or more starts. He appeared to prove this with his first appearance for the Pirates when he allowed four runs on nine hits in just 4.1 innings against ... Read More
Marte’s hand injury contributing to power outage
On Tuesday night, Pirates left fielder Starling Marte hit a home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was his first home run since July 1. He batted .279 between his home runs and hit .217 [10-for-46] this month prior to the homer. Following Wednesday night's Pirates victory, Marte discussed his injured hand and acknowledged the difficulties that it has caused. “I’ve been hurt on my hand," Marte said. "It’s hard to hit, but I’m just trying to be ready." Marte has had his share of ... Read More
Pirates, Happ secure series victory
The Pittsburgh Pirates secured its 20th series victory with a 4-1 victory Wednesday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks. J.A. Happ [1-1] went six innings for the Pirates in his longest start with the team. He also surrendered two hits, his lowest total as a starting pitcher since September 12, 2014 against the Tampa Bay Rays. In the game, the Pirates recorded a three-run second inning. The inning started when Jung Ho Kang was hit by a pitch. Francisco Cervelli then added a single and ... Read More
Pirates pregame 8/19: Wall joins bullpen; Florimon DFA’d
Many fans may have already been asleep, however the Pittsburgh Pirates were not and won 9-8 in 15 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks. In tonight's game J.A. Happ [0-1 4.66 ERA] will face Robbie Ray [3-8 3.29 ERA]. Happ is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in four career appearances [three starts] against the Diamondbacks. He earned a no-decision in his last start against the New York Mets he allowed one run on seven hits in 5.1 innings of work. Ray is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA in one career start ... Read More
Pedro Florimon achieves first on grand stage
Gerrit Cole patiently awaited reporters crowding around his locker to leave. For one night, he was not the one they wanted to talk to, it was Pedro Florimon. Yes, the same Pedro Florimon who two innings earlier was subject to a massive amount of groans after fouling out on a bunt attempt. In front of nearly 25,000 woo birds, however Florimon recorded a triple off the Clemente Wall, on its namesake's 81st birthday nonetheless, to send the Pittsburgh Pirates fans home happy. “I can relate ... Read More
Pirates earn win in longest game of the season
Boos and groans scattered across PNC Park earlier in the game with Pedro Florimon serving as the intended targer for not getting a sacrifice bunt down. Florimon had the last laugh however when he hit the game-winning triple giving the Pittsburgh Pirates a 9-8 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks Tuesday night. “That’s the beauty of what we do it’s designed to break, stretch, pull and tug on your heart," manager Clint Hurdle said. "It’s fun to watch our men come out there and ... Read More
Pirates pregame 8/18: Bullpen continues dominance
The Pittsburgh Pirates saw their four-game winning streak come to an end with a 4-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks Monday evening. These two teams will meet again tonight. Francisco Liriano will pitch for the Pirates against Chase Anderson. Liriano is 1-0 with a 0.98 ERA in three career starts against the Diamondbacks. In his last start, Liriano allowed three runs on six hits in six innings of work against the St. Louis Cardinals. Liriano has an opponent batting average against on .212. ... Read More
Should Pirates skip Cole’s next start?
It is four starts into Gerrit Cole's month of August, and he has an 0-3 record with a 4.69 ERA to show for it. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle told the media prior to Monday night's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, that he wanted a starting pitcher to go seven innings, which would put much less of a burden on a bullpen that was massively tested this past weekend against the New York Mets. Perhaps trying to meet that demand Hurdle stuck by Cole for 6.2 innings, this despite a 30-pitch ... Read More
Pirates can’t shake early inning troubles in loss
The Arizona Diamondbacks attacked Gerrit Cole's fastball early and often and won a 4-1 contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday night. Cole [14-7] tied a season-high allowing nine hits in the contest while also throwing 30-pitches in the first inning. The Diamondbacks struck first with a two-run first inning. A.J. Pollock hit a triple off the Clemente Wall in right field. Gregory Polanco did not read the bounce off the right field wall correctly allowing Pollock to advance to third ... Read More