The Pittsburgh Pirates will go for another sweep this afternoon as it concludes a three game series with the Atlanta Braves. Friday the Pirates won 3-2 in 10 innings and Saturday it was an 8-4 victory. It would be the ninth sweep of the season for the Pirates. Jeff Locke will pitch for the Pirates against Alex Wood. Locke is 1-1 with a 6.07 ERA in five career starts against the Braves and received a no-decision in his start against them this season. Locke had a no-decision in his last ... Read More
Pirates first inning too much for Braves
After losing centerfielder Andrew McCutchen with one out in the first inning, the Pittsburgh Pirates responded with a five-run first offensive outburst in the bottom of the first en route to an 8-4 victory. “I think it was a real nice push for our guys to answer in that fashion," manager Clint Hurdle said. McCutchen left the game after he was hit by a pitch in the left elbow. In the first inning, Neil Walker started a string of seven consecutive Pirates that reached base. McCutchen was ... Read More
Pirates pregame 6/27: Mercer making progress; Polanco experiencing cold streak
The Pittsburgh Pirates moved to 10-0 at home against National League East opponents after a 3-2 victory Friday night against the Atlanta Braves in 10 innings. This afternoon the Pirates may battle the weather just as much -- if not more than -- the Braves as mother nature looks to add another layer to a lengthy stretch of recent home games. Both of the past two nights have featured games that have gone into extra innings, making it four home contests in the past nine games that have gone to ... Read More
BP phones home; Pirates fall in extra innings
Restless Pittsburgh Pirates fans waited out a long rain delay however over 4.5 hours into its game against the Cincinnati Reds, the patience did not pay off. Brandon Phillips hit his fourth home run of the season in the 13th inning off Rob Scahill [2-4] allowing the Reds to win 5-4. The Pirates had numerous opportunities to get a go-ahead or game-winning hit however the ball did not carry and instead made loud outs. “I feel like there were balls hit today that a lot of times go out but they ... Read More
Pirates pregame 6/25: Kang makes defensive strides; law of averages comes into question
It is the rubber match between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds as each team won a game in the first two days of the series. The Pirates won a 7-6 decision on Tuesday and the Reds countered with a 5-2 victory Wednesday. The loss Wednesday also saw Gerrit Cole have his shortest outing while allowing the most runs in a start this season. “It boiled down to me not making pitches and just being flat," Cole said. "It happens sometimes.” Tonight the Pirates will have A.J. Burnett toe the ... Read More
Cole knocked out early in Pirates loss
Coming into Wednesday night's start, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole had not allowed more than three runs in a game this season. That all changed 21 minutes into the game as a four-run and 38-pitch first inning allowed the Cincinnati Reds to win 5-2. The outing was the shortest of Cole's season and also the shortest since June 28 against the New York Mets when he went four innings. “I didn’t bring out a good delivery tonight the stuff was a little flat," Cole said. "I didn’t make ... Read More
Loyalty in baseball conflicts with ‘the line’
Loyalty is a concept that can take a lifetime for many people to perfect. In baseball, however, it is extremely complicated and can come in between winning. Many can see loyalty in the sport a different way which makes it all the more complicated. Take Pirates reliever Jared Hughes for example. He has been on both sides of the coin where he was kept on the roster and early in his career had stints in both the major and minor leagues. For Hughes, the loyalty is about the battle and the ... Read More
Pirates starting pitching continues success in win
The Pittsburgh Pirates scored five first-inning runs, its most of the season however they were only getting started in a 11-0 win against the Chicago White Sox. The five runs represent the most scored in the first inning since August 11, 2014. It also tied a season high for runs scored matching the 11 runs scored against San Diego May 28. “It was just a good all-around team effort tonight off the mound especially tonight," manager Clint Hurdle said. In the five-run first, Andrew ... Read More
Pirates pregame 6/15: Hello Newman, sorry Vance
The Pittsburgh Pirates have had its struggles at the start of Interleague play this season with a 1-4 record. The Pirates now being a four game stretch against the Chicago White Sox with two games at home and two on the road. Tonight’s starters: The Pirates will face its second consecutive lefty. They are in the middle of a stretch containing four left-handed starters. Francisco Liriano is the Pirates pitcher tonight and is 5-4 with a 4.99 ERA in 15 career games [11 starts]. His last start ... Read More
Burnett goes nine innings; Pirates walk off in extra innings
For a second time in three days, fans at PNC Park were treated to a pitcher's duel from both sides. In the end an 11th inning Josh Harrison walk-off single scored Neil Walker and resulted in a 1-0 victory. The victory secured a series sweep for the Pirates. Cole Hamels had his best start of the season with the Phillies allowing no runs on four hits in seven innings. His 12 strikeouts were a season high and most since September 14, 2010 when he had 13. He threw seven innings and allowed ... Read More