Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Joe Blanton was retired at this time last year, and now he is perhaps Pirates best long-relief option. When the Pirates got Blanton for cash from the Kansas City Royals on July 29, it received a lackluster response. He has not had a season where he posted an ERA under four since 2007, and has not finished a season with a winning record since 2010. Blanton had a terrible year in 2013 with the Angels, going 2-14 with a 6.04 ERA while averaging two home runs every ... Read More
Pirates pregame 8/19: Wall joins bullpen; Florimon DFA’d
Many fans may have already been asleep, however the Pittsburgh Pirates were not and won 9-8 in 15 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks. In tonight's game J.A. Happ [0-1 4.66 ERA] will face Robbie Ray [3-8 3.29 ERA]. Happ is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in four career appearances [three starts] against the Diamondbacks. He earned a no-decision in his last start against the New York Mets he allowed one run on seven hits in 5.1 innings of work. Ray is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA in one career start ... Read More
Pirates pregame 8/18: Bullpen continues dominance
The Pittsburgh Pirates saw their four-game winning streak come to an end with a 4-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks Monday evening. These two teams will meet again tonight. Francisco Liriano will pitch for the Pirates against Chase Anderson. Liriano is 1-0 with a 0.98 ERA in three career starts against the Diamondbacks. In his last start, Liriano allowed three runs on six hits in six innings of work against the St. Louis Cardinals. Liriano has an opponent batting average against on .212. ... Read More
Pirates earn first season series sweep against Mets in franchise history
Many saw the Pittsburgh Pirates rotation and thought that the team would be swept by the New York Mets. Instead it was the other way around, as the Pirates won 8-1 Sunday afternoon, securing their major league-leading 13th sweep of the season. The Mets came into the series losing just twice since acquiring Yoenis Cespedes. The starting pitcher trio of J.A. Happ, Charlie Morton and Jeff Locke allowed four earned runs in 17 innings while striking out 21 batters. Arquimedes Caminero [4-1] won ... Read More
Pirates continue extra-inning win streak
It took extra innings, however the Pittsburgh Pirates scored two runs to defeat the New York Mets by a 3-2 score in 10 innings Friday night. The Pirates are the first National League opponent to defeat the Mets in a game since July 30 [San Diego Padres]. Additionally the Pirates have won their past six extra inning games. The team is also 19-8 against National League East opponents. J.A. Happ told media throughout last homestand that he looked forward to getting the ball again and showing ... Read More
Bucs big inning sparks comeback, sweep of Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers were looking to hold onto a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning, but instead left down seven runs to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Reliever Jim Johnson [2-5] allowed eight runs on six hits in two-thirds of an inning. He would call it one of his worst outings in his professional career after the game. The Pirates won the game 12-6 and earned their first sweep of the Dodgers in Pittsburgh since 1999. “Wow," manager Clint Hurdle said. "It’s a testament that these ... Read More
Pirates contained by Arrieta in loss
Two hits and five base runners. That was the Pittsburgh Pirates offense managed Tuesday night against Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta in a 5-0 loss. The Pirates were not able to move runners when they were on base as they grounded into inning ending double plays in both the fourth and fifth innings. This was accomplished once again in the eighth inning against Tommy Hunter. "Yeah we scattered a lot of hits out there but tonight it's all about the starting pitcher," Cubs manager ... 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 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