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 pregame 7/9: Morton hopes to chop Wood, Dodgers on Sunday Night Baseball
The Pittsburgh Pirates won their 19th series of the season winning the first two games of a three game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the two games thus far, the Pirates were 5-4 [10 innings] and 6-5 winners. Tonight, Charlie Morton [7-4 4.19 ERA] takes on Alex Wood [7-7 3.65 ERA]. Morton is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in one career start against the Dodgers which came on April 30, 2010. Morton won his last start against the Cincinnati Reds in which he pitched seven scoreless ... Read More
Pirates earn split; Morton wins for first time since June
Charlie Morton had not won a start since June 27 and a road contest since June 5. Both of those changed as the Pittsburgh Pirates won 3-0 against the Cincinnati Reds. The Pirates victory means that both teams split the four-game series. Morton [7-4] set the side down in order on six pitches in the first inning and struck out the side in the second. He allowed two base runner, Ivan DeJesus Jr. in the third inning and Eugenio Suarez in the seventh inning to reach scoring position. He ... Read More
Kang plays hero in Pirates victory
Pittsburgh Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle has consistently given Jung Ho Kang a lineup card following each time he accomplishes a first in the major leagues. Tuesday night likely will be no different as his go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth inning gave the Pirates an 8-7 road victory over the Minnesota Twins. Earlier, Gregory Polanco had four at-bats, three of which resulted in hard-hit contact, however each were outs. In the eighth inning and the bases loaded however the script ... Read More
Pirates conclude road trip 1-5 after loss to Royals
In 2014 Pittsburgh Pirates fans were used to giving Edinson Volquez standing ovations. Wednesday night however, it happened at Kauffman Stadium and for the opposing Kansas City Royals following a 5-1 victory. The Pirates and Charlie Morton [6-4] were undone by a four-run seventh inning. In the inning, catcher Salvador Perez led off with a walk. It appeared as though the big inning would be avoided on the next play as Omar Infante's sacrifice bunt attempt was quickly read by Travis Ishikawa ... Read More
Pirates lose to start second half of season
Miller Park used to be a ballpark the Pittsburgh Pirates could not find success with and this held true once again Friday night as the home Milwaukee Brewers came away with a 4-1 victory. Charlie Morton [6-3] suffered the loss allowing four runs on five hits in six innings pitched. He also walked more batters [3] than he struck out [2] in 90 pitches, 54 of which were strikes. Morton's first blemish came in the first inning when Gerardo Parra hit a leadoff double. He moved to third base on ... Read More
Pirates top-10 first half moments
It was a very successful first half of the season for the Pittsburgh Pirates as it has the third best record in the major leagues. With that in mind it is time to revisit some of the successes in the first half of the season. 10. Home opener- This was mentioned in an earlier article so I will keep the description short. A home opener always makes every baseball fan excited as they have waited a long time for the season to begin. The familiar sights, smells and sounds bring a smile to every ... Read More
Pirates pregame 7/8: Don’t Stop Believin’
The Pittsburgh Pirates stopped holding onto that losing feeling against the San Diego Padres after a 3-2 victory Tuesday night. Gregory Polanco recorded the game-winning hit, a triple of Joaquin Benoit. In tonight's game, Charlie Morton will face Andrew Cashner. Morton is 4-1 with a 2.65 ERA in six career starts against the Padres. Morton won his start against the Padres earlier this season. He lost his last start against the Cleveland Indians. Morton surrendered three runs on four hits ... Read More
Pirates experience Bauer outage, Bourn identity in loss
A 38-pitch second inning proved to be part of Charlie Morton's undoing as the Pittsburgh Pirates fell 5-2 to the Cleveland Indians Friday night. The loss snaps a seven game winning streak in Interleague play. Morton [6-2] lost his first home start of the season although he settled down after the second inning. “I think overall my stuff was pretty good tonight it was just inconsistent," Morton said. "The pitch I threw to [Brandon] Moss it was off the plate but he got extended, it stayed ... Read More
Pirates pregame 7/3: Jauss reconnects with Francona, Mills
The Pittsburgh Pirates will conclude the first half of its season with a 10-game homestand against the Cleveland Indians. Both teams come in with road sweeps with the Pirates taking three against the Detroit Tigers and the Indians emerging victorious four consecutive times versus the Tampa Bay Rays. The Pirates have won seven consecutive Interleague contests. Charlie Morton will pitch for the Pirates against Trevor Bauer. Morton is 3-6 with a 4.43 ERA in 11 career Interleague starts. ... Read More