An eight game homestand continues for the Pittsburgh Pirates as the New York Mets come to town for a three game series. The Mets come into the series with a 24-18 overall which places them half a game behind first place in the National League East. Tonight’s starters: The Pirates will send right-handed starter Gerrit Cole to the mound against Noah Syndergaard. Cole is coming off a loss to the Chicago Cubs in which he allowed two runs on seven hits in six innings of work. Cole is 0-2 in ... Read More
Pirates swept on Mauer home run in extra innings
Andrew McCutchen did not want to see his Pittsburgh Pirates get swept by the Minnesota Twins, so he took matters into his own hands. His eighth inning home run tied the game and eventually sent the game in to extra innings. On a night where the Pittsburgh Steelers trademark song Renegade was played in a tribute to Troy Polamalu, the Pirates pulled off their version of a fourth-quarter comeback but fell in overtime, by a 4-3 score in the 13th inning. “You keep trying to find a way to ... Read More
Pirates pregame 5/20: Mercer back in lineup, Polanco gets day off
The Pittsburgh Pirates will look to earn a split in their two-game series against the Minnesota Twins tonight. An 8-5 victory was a result in favor of the Twins in last night's game. Francisco Liriano pitched two innings and allowed seven runs. The Pirates attempted to rally, however they stranded 10 base runners which limited the damage they could cause. Pedro Alvarez connected for his seventh home run of the season, a homer that ended up being the third ball to land in the Allegheny ... Read More
Pirates waste scoring opportunities in loss
The Pittsburgh Pirates were hoping for its first comeback from being seven runs down against the same Minnesota Twins ball club they accomplished the feat against on June 10, 2001. The Pirates ultimately came up short, however, losing 8-5. The Pirates outhit the Twins 13-8 but stranded 10 base runners to the Twins three. “We’ve got more guts than good right now," manager Clint Hurdle said. "We battle and we’re going to fight you unfortunately it’s our own hands that we’re digging some of ... Read More
Pirates pregame 5/19: Marte buys into cleanup role
The Pittsburgh Pirates begin their second Interleague series and third homestand of the 2015 season tonight against the Minnesota Twins. The Pirates ended a four game losing streak on Sunday with its 3-0 victory against the Chicago Cubs. Now after a day off, they start an eight-game homestand. This is the third time the Pirates have played the Twins at home since the opening of PNC Park. The Pirates won two of three games when the teams met June 19-21 in 2012. The Pirates lost two of ... Read More
Pirates recall OF Jose Tabata
The Pittsburgh Pirates have made a move at the start of their third home stand of the season, calling up outfielder Jose Tabata and sending down relief pitcher Wilfredo Boscan. “I’m really happy to be here again and I’ve got to continue playing like I played in Indianapolis and see what happens," Tabata said. The Pirates made a 40-man roster spot available for Tabata by moving infielder Justin Sellers from the 15 to 60 day disabled list. “What he set out to do was go back to Triple-A ... Read More
Sean Rodriguez embraces leadership role
Being a leader involves many different things namely communication. This has become a key aspect to Sean Rodriguez's game and his transformation has been a benefit to his Pittsburgh Pirates’ teammates. "I don’t know if it’s the Latin in me or just the way my mom raised me," Rodriguez said. "I love communicating with other guys and getting along. Early on in the spring that was probably one of the toughest things for me, just trying to talk to guys and find a way where I could be more of ... Read More
McCutchen’s defense helps Pirates avoid sweep
Though A.J. Burnett struggled at times with his control, he was able to pitch seven shutout innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates avoided a sweep with its 3-0 victory against the Chicago Cubs. Andrew McCutchen is not known for his defense, however two plays he made significantly helped the Pirates in this game. In the bottom of the second inning with Miguel Montero on first base after a single, Burnett got Chris Coghlan to fly out to the Pirates center fielder. McCutchen got a late break on ... Read More
Polanco gaining confidence on defense
PNC Park's right field is shorter than the average ballpark, however that does not mean it does not present its own unique challenges. Gregory Polanco is in his first full season of playing right field for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and after a part-time run last season filled with ups and downs, his defense his been an improvement. “I’ve played right field before so I knew the angle of the ball and when they hit," Polanco said. "It’s just practicing every day and getting better.” Polanco's ... Read More
Pirates fall to Phillies; earn series split
The Pittsburgh Pirates had high hopes in their series against the Philadelphia Phillies after winning the first two of a four-game series. Instead, they will fly into Chicago on a two-game losing streak after a 4-2 loss Thursday afternoon. “We had a chance to win a series and we were unable do that. We’ve got work to do," manager Clint Hurdle said. "We’ve got to work on consistency.” Vance Worley [2-3] made his second career start against the Phillies, his former team and did not make it ... Read More