Having the bases loaded was not necessarily a recipe for the success for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night, but pinch-hitter Pedro Alvarez made sure 39,404 fans went home happy. Alvarez's pinch-hit single with the bases full in the bottom of the tenth gave the Pirates a 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. “Just because you don’t start a game it doesn’t mean that you won’t play a role in the game," Alvarez said. "I can speak for everyone here when they are in the same situation ... Read More
Pirates pregame 8/7: Cole faces Kershaw; Hughes is a metal head
A nationally televised audience is in for a treat as Gerrit Cole will face Clayton Kershaw on ESPN tonight in the first game of the season between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers. Cole [14-5 2.29 ERA] leads the major leagues in wins and since Sept. 7 has a 2.43 ERA and 170.1 innings pitched. He is 2-0 with a 4.50 ERA in two career starts against the Dodgers. He lost in his last start against the Cincinnati Reds and allowed three runs [two earned] in five innings. Cole has a 1-2 ... Read More
Pirates sweep Twins; onto Cincinnati
The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Minnesota Twins by a 10-4 score Wednesday afternoon to secure its league-leading 11th sweep of the season. This contest featured five total errors, one of which the Pirates used to create separation on the scoreboard. The Pirates scored first as Jung Ho Kang homered to left field with one out. It was his seventh of the season and his second in as many days. The Pirates are now 34-10 when scoring first. In the bottom half of the inning Eddie Rosario ... Read More
Pirates pregame 7/26: Ramirez discusses love for basketball; Scahill roots on teammates
Following a 9-3 loss by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Washington Nationals, the home team hopes to take three of four against a team that is leading the National League East. Gerrit Cole [13-4 2.31 ERA] will face Joe Ross [2-2 2.70 ERA] in this afternoon's contest. Cole is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two career starts against the Nationals. Cole lost his last start against the Kansas City Royals allowing three runs [two earned] on five hits over the course of 7.1 innings of work. Ross is ... Read More
Pirates overwhelmed by Nationals offense
Ask A.J. Burnett about his start in Saturday night's loss and he would not discuss the eight strikeouts, but rather all of the mistakes he made. “I’m hitting guys in the foot, throwing balls down the middle, throwing balls away from first, I didn’t cover home," Burnett said. "I got strike outs but I’ve got to keep the balls in the lanes and in the corners.” The Pittsburgh Pirates appeared to be on the verge of a comeback following a three-run sixth inning, but one swing of the bat from Ian ... Read More
Pirates pregame 7/25: Ramirez to bat cleanup; Caminero looks to improve
Though Aramis Ramirez has been much of the talk of late, the Pittsburgh Pirates have been able to win its first two games of its four-game series against the Washington Nationals. The Pirates won the two games by scores of 7-3 and 7-5. “Any time we win it’s what we’re looking for," Jared Hughes said. "These last couple of games have been nice because we’ve won. It’s time to keep that positive momentum going and continue to win.” Tonight A.J. Burnett will face Gio Gonzalez. Burnett ... Read More
Ramirez excited to be back with Pirates
Almost 12 years to the day Aramis Ramirez was traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Chicago Cubs, the third baseman came back to town wearing the familiar P and black and gold jersey. The Pirates acquired Ramirez and cash considerations from the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday in exchange for Yhonathan Barrios. “This is a good situation," Ramirez said. "I’ve played my whole career in the [NL] Central, I’m familiar with the teams, the pitching and this is a pretty good team.” Ramirez did ... Read More
Ramirez a great fit considering cost, role
On July 23, 2003, the Pittsburgh Pirates made perhaps one of their worst trades in franchise history. A promising, then 23-year-old third baseman named Aramis Ramirez was traded to the Chicago Cubs, while the Pirates received what amounted to a bag of sunflower seeds in return. Exactly 12 years to the day later, Ramirez returned to Pittsburgh in a trade from the Milwaukee Brewers for minor league relief pitcher Yhonathan Barrios and cash considerations. Ramirez now joins Plaxico Burress and ... Read More
MLB Trade deadline: Ramirez rejoins Pirates
Twelve years ago, the Pirates made what many fans considered to be the worst trade in franchise history when Aramis Ramirez departed the team for the Chicago Cubs. Prior to Thursday's game against the Washington Nationals the Pirates reacquired Ramirez. “We felt like he was a good addition to our club to come in and stabilize third base for us for a while," Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington said. "We like what he has done offensively and obviously he’s had a great career. The last six ... Read More