After being shut down all day by Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Alex Wood [5-5], the Pirates finally got on board with a two-out ninth inning double by Jordy Mercer that scored Francisco Cervelli, but former Pirates closer Jason Grilli struck out Gregory Polanco to secure a 2-1 Atlanta victory. The Pirates were looking for their first sweep against the Atlanta Braves since 1994. The Braves scored single runs in the fifth and seventh innings. With two outs in the fifth, Cameron Maybin ... Read More
Pirates GM discusses roster moves; team health
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington always meets with the media on Sunday home games to delve into a series of topics. Not surprisingly, the two roster moves fresh in the mind were the central topics of today's session. Huntington broke each move down to better explain the reasoning, starting with the Steve Lombardozzi call-up, which resulted in pitcher Chris Volstad being designated for assignment. “The first move was to re-balance the 12 pitchers and 13 position players," ... Read More
Pirates pregame 6/28: Tabata, Volstad designated for assignment
The Pittsburgh Pirates will go for another sweep this afternoon as it concludes a three game series with the Atlanta Braves. Friday the Pirates won 3-2 in 10 innings and Saturday it was an 8-4 victory. It would be the ninth sweep of the season for the Pirates. Jeff Locke will pitch for the Pirates against Alex Wood. Locke is 1-1 with a 6.07 ERA in five career starts against the Braves and received a no-decision in his start against them this season. Locke had a no-decision in his last ... Read More
Pirates first inning too much for Braves
After losing centerfielder Andrew McCutchen with one out in the first inning, the Pittsburgh Pirates responded with a five-run first offensive outburst in the bottom of the first en route to an 8-4 victory. “I think it was a real nice push for our guys to answer in that fashion," manager Clint Hurdle said. McCutchen left the game after he was hit by a pitch in the left elbow. In the first inning, Neil Walker started a string of seven consecutive Pirates that reached base. McCutchen was ... Read More
McCutchen hit by pitch, removed from game
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen was removed from Saturday's game against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning after being hit by a pitch from Atlanta Braves right-hander Julio Teheran. pic.twitter.com/qSsQZgoH6p — Forbes to Federal (@ForbesToFederal) June 27, 2015 The Pirates had Neil Walker on base with McCutchen at the plate. With the count 1-1 and one out in the inning, McCutchen was hit by a 91 mile-per-hour two-seam fastball. The pitch hit his left elbow and ... Read More
Pirates pregame 6/27: Mercer making progress; Polanco experiencing cold streak
The Pittsburgh Pirates moved to 10-0 at home against National League East opponents after a 3-2 victory Friday night against the Atlanta Braves in 10 innings. This afternoon the Pirates may battle the weather just as much -- if not more than -- the Braves as mother nature looks to add another layer to a lengthy stretch of recent home games. Both of the past two nights have featured games that have gone into extra innings, making it four home contests in the past nine games that have gone to ... Read More
Pirates walk-off on Mercer hit
Extra innings: two words Pirates fans have become accustomed to hearing at PNC Park and Friday was no different. It was the fourth extra inning game played in the past nine home contests. This time, however, Jordy Mercer had the walk off hit against Jason Grilli to send the 34,220 fans happy with a 3-2 Pirates victory over the Atlanta Braves. This, a day after losing a 13-inning game to the Cincinnati Reds. “It’s the kind of baseball that we play and we’ve done it time after time," Pedro ... Read More
Pirates pregame 6/26: Deolis Guerra next up in thin bullpen; Grilli makes Pittsburgh return
The Pittsburgh Pirates wrap up a six-game homestand with a three-game set starting tonight against the Atlanta Braves. Something will give as the Pirates have lost their past two games but are 9-0 against NL East opponents at PNC Park this season. Last night, the Pirates played for nearly five hours in a 5-4, 13-inning loss. "We just had a lot of bad luck last night and it seems like a lot of the balls we hit might usually leave the ballpark for home runs and instead landed on the ... Read More
BP phones home; Pirates fall in extra innings
Restless Pittsburgh Pirates fans waited out a long rain delay however over 4.5 hours into its game against the Cincinnati Reds, the patience did not pay off. Brandon Phillips hit his fourth home run of the season in the 13th inning off Rob Scahill [2-4] allowing the Reds to win 5-4. The Pirates had numerous opportunities to get a go-ahead or game-winning hit however the ball did not carry and instead made loud outs. “I feel like there were balls hit today that a lot of times go out but they ... Read More
Pirates pregame 6/25: Kang makes defensive strides; law of averages comes into question
It is the rubber match between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds as each team won a game in the first two days of the series. The Pirates won a 7-6 decision on Tuesday and the Reds countered with a 5-2 victory Wednesday. The loss Wednesday also saw Gerrit Cole have his shortest outing while allowing the most runs in a start this season. “It boiled down to me not making pitches and just being flat," Cole said. "It happens sometimes.” Tonight the Pirates will have A.J. Burnett toe the ... Read More