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 late miscues result in loss
A controversial call, eighth inning defensive issues and ninth inning base running cost Gerrit Cole and the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 3-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Starling Marte hit what appeared to be a home run in the second inning, however after video review the play was ruled a double. The ball hit near the top row of padding in left field and then landed in the Royals bullpen. The Root Sports broadcast clearly showed Marte surprised by the call. Manager Clint Hurdle looked for an ... Read More
Boscan returns to the Pirates
After an extra inning game against the St. Louis Cardinals Saturday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates have elected to call up another arm for the bullpen selecting Wilfredo Boscan. This is Boscan's second time up with the Pirates this season, however he did not make any appearances the first time, which he was also brought up because of reliever usage. Steve Lombardozzi's name was not listed on Sunday night's lineup card meaning he is the corresponding move. Lombardozzi was 0-for-10 in game ... Read More
McCutchen wins it in extras for Pirates
Andrew McCutchen's two-run home run in the 14th inning gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a 6-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. The homer extended McCutchen's hitting streak to 18 games this despite a couple of nearly game-changing calls from home plate umpire Vic Carapazza. “Quite the climactic ending right there," McCutchen said. "That was a lot of fun and who would have thought it came to that?” Mark Reynolds struck out and so did Jhonny Peralta. Carapazza ruled each a foul ball when ... Read More
Speed kills: Is a steal more on a pitcher or a catcher?
It all innocently started in Detroit when Tigers manager Brad Ausmus discussed whether pitchers or catchers were more accountable for a stolen base. Ausmus, a catcher for 18 years in Major League Baseball, provided the opinion that it was all on the pitcher. "It’s how much the pitchers vary their holds, delivery time to the plate, how deliberate they are with their delivery," Ausmus said. "There’s all types of things, but base stealers steal off the pitcher.” Accountability on stolen bases is ... Read More
Pirates pregame 7/9: Cardinals arrive for highly anticipated series
In the series some are calling "the main event", the Pittsburgh Pirates will begin a four-game series tonight against the St. Louis Cardinals. This is a match-up between the lone two teams to win 50 games this season. The Pirates are coming off their first sweep of the San Diego Padres in Pittsburgh since 1994 and won each of the three games in come from behind fashion. The Cardinals meanwhile were down to their last strike in last night's game before Jhonny Peralta hit a two-run home run that ... Read More
Pirates bats come through in eighth inning to secure sweep
Andrew Cashner was nearly unhittable for seven innings. A night after driving in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eight, Gregory Polanco did it again in a 5-2 Pittsburgh Pirates victory over the San Diego Padres. With the win, the Pirates earned their first sweep of the Padres since April 12-14, 1994. “Cashner was tough and we weren’t getting a lot of good pitches to hit," manager Clint Hurdle said. "We took it professional and didn’t take it personal and we kept showing up and ... 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 pregame: Bucs can clinch elusive series win over Padres tonight
The Pittsburgh Pirates won its series opener against the San Diego Padres in dramatic fashion as Pedro Alvarez hit a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth to take the game by a 2-1 margin. Though manager Clint Hurdle tried to quiet a reporter when talks of a series win against the Padres came up it is hard to ignore that the past 14 series played at PNC Park have not gone in favor of the home team. “We’re due," Hurdle said. "It’s not the law of averages, it’s just that we’re due. ... Read More
Four Pirates selected to MLB All-Star Game
The Pittsburgh Pirates met prior to Monday night's game with the San Diego Padres for an annual tradition, a meeting led by manager Clint Hurdle to determine which players made the 2015 MLB All-Star Game. This year the magic number was four as A.J. Burnett, Gerrit Cole, Andrew McCutchen and Mark Melancon each made the team. “To be able to place four men on the All-Star team, I think we represented our city and our team," Hurdle said. "I believe they will go in and represent the National ... Read More