It was the second consecutive below average outing for A.J. Burnett, however the Pittsburgh Pirates offense, led by a four-hit performance from Andrew McCutchen, defeated the San Francisco Giants 7-4 Tuesday night. McCutchen fell a home run short of hitting for the cycle as the Pirates secured a series win against the Giants who coming into the series had won 13 of their past 17 games. McCutchen is batting .292 on the season now and is 36-for-89 in his last 25 games, good for a .404 ... Read More
Cole recovers from two-run first in Pirates win
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle called "uncle" to reporters pregame when describing his admiration for what the San Francisco Giants have done in recent seasons. In Monday night's game however, the Pirates did anything but, winning a 4-3 contest at AT&T Park. The Pirates could have panicked when Andrew McCutchen's two sacrifice flies were caught by Angel Pagan and Hunter Pence in above average defensive plays, however instead viewed both as two runs which undid a two-run first ... Read More
Locke struggles as Pirates split series
Pittsburgh Pirates fans have been hard on Jeff Locke at times this season and tonight's four-inning outing as part of a 7-1 loss to the San Diego Padres will not help the pitcher's case. Locke [3-3] allowed all seven runs [six of which were earned] on eight hits while throwing 89 pitches. In two career starts against the Padres Locke has allowed 10 earned runs in nine innings of work while posting an 0-2 record. The Padres scored at least one run in each inning Locke pitched, which allowed ... Read More
Morton goes seven innings in Pirates win
Charlie Morton came into Saturday night's start with five career RBI and one win on the season. Each increased by one during the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-2 victory over the San Diego Padres. Morton [2-0] pitched his second consecutive seven inning outing surrendering two runs [one earned] on three hits. He threw 85 pitches, 57 of which were for strikes. Morton also got 16 ground ball outs and no fly ball outs in his outing. "It was a big boost," Josh Harrison said to Root Sports. "He went out ... Read More
Scahill’s miscues end Pirates streak
Rob Scahill's luck following a walk and an error ran out when Derek Norris, previously 0-for-4 with four strikeouts hit a grand slam to center field. This secured a 6-2 win for the San Diego Padres and ended the Pittsburgh Pirates seven game losing streak. "You've got to finish innings and we didn't help ourselves late," manager Clint Hurdle said to assembled media following the game. The Pirates wasted an outing from Francisco Liriano in which he allowed no runs on three hits in six ... Read More
Pirates score season high in victory
For the vast majority of his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, fans complained that A.J. Burnett did not receive run support. That was not the case against the San Diego Padres as the Pirates gave their starting pitcher the most runs in a game he pitched since July 8, 2012 in an 11-5 victory over the San Diego Padres. The 11 runs were a season-best and the most the team has scored since August 11 against the Detroit Tigers. The Pirates scored in each of the first four innings with home ... Read More
Pirates Kingham undergoes Tommy John surgery
Pittsburgh Pirates fans assumed the worst and after a wait of nearly three weeks those fears were confirmed as Nick Kingham underwent Tommy John surgery yesterday in New York. The procedure performed Wednesday by Dr. David Altcheck and expected recovery time is 12-18 months. Kingham's wait came after he was placed on the disabled list by the Indianapolis Indians. Kingham was seeking a second opinion for his injury and after a long wait received the news of a torn UCL. Kingham, the ... Read More
Pirates sweep away Dyson, Marlins
Gerrit Cole's fourth seven or more inning performance was just enough as he received a three run seventh inning in a 5-2 victory against the Miami Marlins. The win pushes the team's winning streak to a season-best six games. “We’re doing what we’re capable of, we have our swag back out there," Chris Stewart said. "We're as good as any team in baseball, especially the way we're playing right now. The five-run seventh included the team batting around and five hits. After a strikeout, ... Read More
Pirates pregame 5/27: team goes for sweep; Scahill appreciates trust
After 4-2 and 5-1 victories the past two days, the Pittsburgh Pirates hope to go for their second consecutive series sweep;this time against the Miami Marlins. With last night's victory, the Pirates starting pitching staff has each earned a victory as part of a five-game winning streak. Today’s starters: The Pirates will send Gerrit Cole to the mound to face left-handed starter Brad Hand. After winning his first four decisions of the season, Cole has won two of his past three. In ... Read More
Cole learns to trust off-speed pitches
Gerrit Cole had always been a pitcher that blew his fastball past hitters, however a conversation two years ago with former Pittsburgh Pirate John Buck changed this mindset. "He told me not to overthrow the breaking ball and not to overthrow the changeup," Cole said. This change in addition to injuries during the 2014 season allowed for Cole to place more trust in his off-speed pitches. Buck's remarks were echoed by pitching coach Ray Searage, who had similar observations after seeing ... Read More