The Pittsburgh Pirates will start its first four game series of the season when it takes on the Chicago Cubs. This is a match-up of the second and third place teams in the National League Central. Tonight’s starters: A.J. Burnett [0-1 2.35 ERA] will pitch for the Pirates against Jake Arrieta [1-1 1.98 ERA] in tonight's game. Burnett is 7-4 against the Cubs with a 3.25 ERA in 13 career starts which span 83 innings. As a member of the Phillies last season Burnett posted an 0-2 record with ... Read More
Pirates complete sweep of Brewers
The Pittsburgh Pirates earned a sweep against the Milwaukee Brewers winning 5-2 Sunday afternoon. The win pushes the Pirates to .500 for the first time this season. For a second consecutive game, it was a chaotic first inning for both sides. In the top half, the Brewers had the bases loaded with two outs and Gerrit Cole [2-0] got Gerardo Parra to fly out to left field ending the threat. In the bottom half of the frame, the Pirates got three consecutive singles with Andrew McCutchen's ... Read More
Neal Huntington talks Kang, minor leagues
Pittsburgh Pirates Neal Huntington met with assembled media members prior to Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers and discussed a variety of topics.There has been media speculation that the Pirates may send Jung-ho Kang to Triple-A Indianapolis. Huntington however had one question for the media. Why?"We have a ton of respect for what he did in Korea and what our scouts saw and for what we’ve seen so far," Huntington said. "Ten plate appearances into the season after 30-some plate ... Read More
Pirates pregame 4/19: Hurdle talks Cole’s progression, Shrek
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a chance to get its first three game series sweep of the season this afternoon against the Milwaukee Brewers. This season the Pirates are 4-1 against the Brewers. Today’s starters: In today's series finale, Gerrit Cole [1-0 3.27 ERA] will toe the rubber against Matt Garza [1-1 4.22 ERA]. Cole has a 1-2 career record against the Brewers posting a 3.27 ERA in five career starts. His last appearance against the Brewers was a 4-0 loss on Aug. 29 in which he pitches 7.1 ... Read More
Pirates beat Brewers, take first home series of season
Starling Marte stepped into the batter's box and for a second consecutive game connected on a home run to left field as part of a Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2 victory Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers. The three-run home run doubled the Pirates run total, and also provided the first runs since a 27-minute first inning. In that first inning, the Brewers which went with a different lineup sent Ryan Braun up to the plate. It was the first time Braun has ever led off in a Major League Baseball ... Read More
Pirates pregame 4/18: Walker hopes to continue success against Lohse
The Pittsburgh Pirates offense and baserunning reemerged in a 6-3 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Pirates have a chance to win its first home series tonight as Kyle Lohse [0-2 11.17 ERA] takes on Jeff Locke [1-0 3.00 ERA]. Tonight’s starters: Jeff Locke starts for the Pirates. The left-hander won his starting role in Spring Training and is 1-0 on the season winning 6-2 April 10 against the Brewers. In 90 pitches, Locke pitched six innings allowing seven hits, two runs, one walk ... Read More
Sofield, baserunning key in Pirates victory
Pittsburgh Pirates third base and baserunning coach Rick Sofield saw his catcher Francisco Cervelli running toward third and had to make a decision. It was the fourth inning of Friday's game, the Pirates were down 1-0 and Gregory Polanco had singled to right while Ryan Braun cleanly fielded the ball. Sofield thought for a second and both both hands up. Cervelli stayed at third. While anxious fans had been waiting 22 innings for a Pirate to cross home plate, Sofield did not think this was the ... Read More
Pirates aggressive on base paths in win
Earlier in the day, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle told the media that the team did not have many chances to be aggressive. That changed Friday. The Pirates took the extra base and the aggression helped propel them to a 6-3 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers in front of 25,664 fans. Vance Worley [1-1] got the win nearly a week after getting roughed up for six runs in a loss to these same Brewers. Worley pitched six innings allowing six hits, walking four [two of which were ... Read More
Pirates pregame 4/17: Sanchez sent down; Rodriguez starts at second
After a series loss the Pittsburgh Pirates look to start anew against the Milwaukee Brewers. These two teams met a week ago with the Pirates holding a 2-1 season series advantage. Last game out: The Pirates were shutout as Alfredo Simon and Joakim Soria combined to allow two hits in a 1-0 Tigers victory. The Pirates offense struggled to get base runners as evidenced by the 13 consecutive batters Simon retired to end his outing. The Pirates have not had a walk since Saturday and Andrew ... Read More
Jared Hughes embraces return to longer outings
Jared Hughes remembers when he got first got called up to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011. Hughes made 11 appearances as a September call-up and posted a 4.09 ERA in 11 innings of work. The former Long Beach State Dirtbag made the transformation from hard thrower to sinker ball pitcher while working on his pitch effectiveness. Now however, Hughes had the challenge of proving that he belonged in the major leagues. "I had a chance to prove myself going out there and struggling at first but then ... Read More