Good afternoon from a rainy PNC Park where tonight the Pirates (15-20) look to continue their win streak against the Cardinals (18-18). Edinson Volquez (1-3, 4.19 ERA) looks to turn things around against Lance Lynn (4-1, 3.51 ERA). Andrew McCutchen is not in tonight's lineup. The clubhouse was closed before the lineup was posted. More updates on this after the game. Wandy to Come Off DL Clint Hurdle has officially announced that Wandy Rodriguez will start on Thursday in Milwaukee. It will be ... Read More
Marte, Alvarez Homer in Ninth to Give Pirates 6-5 Victory
Pedro Alvarez tied it in the ninth with a two-run home run to right-center and Starling Marte later ended it with a walk-off shot into the Pirate bullpen to give the Bucs a 6-5 comeback victory over the Blue Jays on Friday night. The Pirates trailed 5-3 heading into the final frame when Neil Walker led the bottom of the ninth off with a single to right field. Pedro Alvarez followed two batters later with a shot into the right-center seats to tie the game at five. After a Gaby Sanchez flyout, ... Read More
Big Inning Hurts Morton Again in 5-2 Pirates Loss
Charlie Morton became victim of the big inning once again as the Reds struck for three in the fifth en route to a 5-2 victory over the Pirates on Wednesday night. The Pirates held leads of 1-0 and 2-1 thanks to a bases loaded walk by Travis Snider in the first and an Andrew McCutchen solo shot in the third. The solo shot for Cutch was his third homer in as many games as the centerfielder remains the only offense for the Bucs as of late. "There's times when our approach has been good," said ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 4/22: Lineups, Hurdle Talks Hot Hitting
Good afternoon from PNC Park where today the Pirates look to build on last night's 6-5 walk-off victory over the Reds. Edinson Volquez (1-0, 1.71 ERA) faces Johnny Cueto (1-2, 1.50 ERA) in Cueto's first appearance at PNC since last October's NL Wild Card game. Suspensions Handed Out The MLB has announced the suspensions of players involved in Sunday's Easter Brawl during the third inning of the Pirates-Brewers matchup. Martin Maldonado was issued a 5-game suspension for striking Travis Snider. ... Read More
Walker Walks-Off Reds 6-5
Neil Walker's two out single in the bottom of the ninth capped off a back-and-forth battle between the Reds and Pirates that saw the Bucs get the last laugh in a 6-5 victory on Monday night. It was a game that saw the Reds take control early thanks to RBI's by Brandon Phillips and Todd Frazier in the first and third innings only to see the Pirates strike back on four straight pitches in the fourth that was capped off by an Ike Davis grand slam. "I don't think we had him breaking the bat on the ... Read More
Baseball is Back in the Burgh
One couldn't ask for a better day for Opening Day 2014 as blue skies and springtime temperatures ascended on PNC Park on Monday. It was a welcome sight to fans, but an even better sight to the Pirate players as they have some unfinished business after last seasons Game 5 defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS. "I believe we're better prepared," said manager, Clint Hurdle. "I believe we're better experienced. I believe the skill-sets have every opportunity to play out and play longer than ... Read More
Pirates Release Opening Day Festivities, Awards Presenters
For the third consecutive year, the Pittsburgh Pirates will open their season on the North Shore at PNC Park. The team begins the 2014 campaign with a six-game homestand that includes a three-game series vs. National League Central rivals, the Chicago Cubs and the defending N.L. Champion, St. Louis Cardinals. Opening Day festivities will highlight Opening Week as many former Pirates players will return to Pittsburgh to participate in on-field ceremonies and present the Pirates 2013 N.L. award ... Read More
Pirates Position Preview: Left / Center Field
We continue our Pirates preview by looking at two of the most talented positions on the field. Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte are one of the best outfield duo's in the game. Their ability to cover ground helped lead the Pirates defense last year and with the addition of Gregory Polanco in mid-June, they will have one of the best outfields in the majors. Starling Marte: Marte was posting a solid rookie season until a hand injury sidelined him for 25 games in late-August. He ... Read More
Three Pirates Fall Short of Rawlings Gold Glove Award
Andrew McCutchen, Russell Martin and Starling Marte were shut out on Tuesday night for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award. Carlos Gomez defeated Andrew McCutchen for the NL Gold Glove in CF. Cutch recorded 321 put-outs (5th among NL CF's) while assisting on 11 plays (3rd among NL CF's) and recording 3 double plays (1st among NL CF's). His wins over replacement was an 8.2 which is 3rd for all NL players in 2013. Russell Martin fell to Yadier Molina for the catchers award. Martins 103 assists at ... Read More
Padres Score Twice in Ninth to Stun Pirates
Follow @TBerardi_OVA Logan Forsythe and Rene Rivera each singled with two out in the ninth off of Mark Melancon to give the Padres a 3-2 come-from-behind win at PNC on Wednesday night. It erased a dominant performance by Charlie Morton as he allowed a single run over eight innings of work while giving up two hits and tying his career single-game strikeout total of nine. "I thought John [Buck] did a great job behind the plate and the defense made some great plays," said Morton. "For the ... Read More