In the second of a three game season opening series, the Pittsburgh Pirates shook off a 2-hour 34 minute rain delay but could not do the same with the Cincinnati Reds falling 5-4 early Thursday morning in 11 innings. Both starters had high pitch counts in this game with Gerrit Cole departing after five innings for the Pirates and Mike Leake 5.2 with the Reds. Both received no decisions. Cole threw 92 pitches, 56 of which were strikes while allowing five hits and three runs. Cole also ... Read More
Pirates battle fall short late against Reds
Francisco Liriano allowed two hits in seven innings but came away with a no-decision after a 5-2 Opening Day loss to the Cincinnati Reds. “It’s great for Opening Day to come and it's just as great when it gets by you," Manager Clint Hurdle said to assembled media. "We always are challenged when we see Cueto… We made him pitch that was the one upside. I thought our guys went up there and battled. We showed some resiliency to come back and get two late.” Liriano, who was starting his second ... Read More
Pirates relief continues to be a strength
With the recalling of Rob Scahill, the Pittsburgh Pirates completed its bullpen. The bullpen has been a source of strength under the watchful eyes of pitching coach Ray Searage, bullpen coach Euclides Rojas and bullpen catcher Herbie Andrade. Here is a rundown of who will come out of the bullpen to start the season: Antonio Bastardo- The Pirates made what they felt was a low-risk acquisition with Antonio Bastardo from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Joely Rodriguez. Manager Clint ... Read More
Pirates Opening Day roster finalized
The Pittsburgh Pirates, along with every other major league team, finalized their Opening Day roster Sunday at 3 p.m. The Pirates, to the surprise of some, recalled relief pitcher Rob Scahill and designated infielder Pedro Florimon and right-handed pitcher Stolmy Pimentel for assignment. Manager Clint Hurdle had already informed the media on Saturday that relievers Arquimedes Caminero, Jared Hughes and Radhames Liz likely had made the ball club, as well as first baseman/outfielder Andrew ... Read More
Morton to DL; Worley a part of starting rotation
Following Saturday's 6-4 exhibition game loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, the Pirates placed Charlie Morton on the disabled list with a hip injury. Morton had hip surgery for the second time ending his 2014 season prematurely. He had hip surgery to fix a torn labrum in Oct. 2011. Morton's last appearance in an official major league game was Sep. 16 against the Boston Red Sox. Morton had an 8.47 ERA this spring and in the loss to the Phillies threw 1.2 innings allowing: four hits, six ... Read More
Pirates potential Opening Day lineup takes field in loss
The Pittsburgh Pirates used what many consider to be its Opening Day lineup in its 7-5 exhibition game loss Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Jeff Locke earned the start and allowed four runs, three of which were earned over the course of five innings. Locke threw 71 pitches and had one walk to go with four strikeouts. Locke gave up three of the runs in the first inning. Both Josh Harrison and Francisco Cervelli committed errors. Ryan Howard, Darin Ruf and Cody Asche each picked up ... Read More
A.J. Burnett solid against former team
The Pittsburgh Pirates lost their first game since Mar. 26, a span of six games with a 6-2 defeat against the New York Yankees Thursday. A.J. Burnett pitched the first four innings. Though he did not allow a run against his former team, Burnett did allow six hits and a walk. Burnett's spring is done with a 4.86 ERA allowing 15 hits in 16.2 innings pitched. Burnett nearly allowed at least one run to score in the fourth inning, however Josh Harrison made a diving stop and a strong throw to ... Read More
Pirates acquire Hunter Morris from Brewers
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced a trade Thursday acquiring Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Hunter Morris in exchange for a player to be named later. Morris, 26, appeared to have a bright future after a breakout 2013 minor league season that earned him recognition from the Brewers as Brewers Organizational Player of the Year in 2012. Morris batted .303 with 28 home runs and 113 RBI that season. Since then, his progression has stalled. Morris, a left-handed batter and right-handed thrower ... Read More
Pirates rotation provides plenty of depth
The Pittsburgh Pirates have assembled its starting pitching rotation well ahead of Sunday's 3 p.m. deadline to finalize a 25-man roster. Last season, the Pirates ranked eighth in all of Major League Baseball and fifth in the National League with a 3.47 ERA and ranked fourth with a 3.05 ERA in the second half of the season. Pirates starters combined for a 3.60 ERA, seven shutouts, two complete games, a .249 batting average against and 798 strikeouts in 971 innings of work. Though the ... Read More
Alvarez, defense keys in Pirates tie
The Pittsburgh Pirates saw its first two pitchers on staff have good outings in a 3-3 extra inning tie Wednesday evening against the Baltimore Orioles. Francisco Liriano was the first to pitch and threw three innings while allowing his first run of Spring Training. Liriano now has a 0.75 ERA. He allowed three hits and struck out two batters in his time on the mound. Liriano was replaced by Gerrit Cole who threw three scoreless innings allowing one hit and one walk while striking out three ... Read More