Francisco Liriano made a strong case to start Opening Day throwing three scoreless innings in a 4-3 Spring Training win Tuesday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rays. In his three innings of work, Liriano surrendered one hit while striking out four batters. He also registered a single. "I just want to get better each start," Liriano said. "I was pretty happy with what I did today." "He's never going to be a guy who just goes out there to get his work in," Manager Clint Hurdle said. "He's ... Read More
Hurdle finishes second in NL Manager of the Year Award voting
Pirates manager Clint Hurdle finished second behind Nationals manager Matt Williams for the NL Manager of the Year Award as voted on by members of the BBWAA. Hurdle received 8 first place votes which ranked second behind Williams (18). Hurdle led the Pirates to an 88-74 record and a second place finish behind the Cardinals (90-72) and a second consecutive NL Wild Card appearance at PNC Park. Hurdle was able to keep the ship afloat despite many injuries to key players over the course of ... Read More
Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen, Clint Hurdle finalists for MLB awards
At the end of the 2013 campaign, the Pittsburgh Pirates cleaned up when it came to collecting season ending awards. They have a chance to do so again this season. Both Andrew McCutchen and Clint Hurdle were named finalists for the same awards they took home a season ago after leading the Bucs to a second consecutive postseason appearance. McCutchen is among the three contenders for the 2014 MVP award, along with Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw and Miami outfielder Giancarlo ... Read More
Pirates – Giants Wild Card Preview
Good afternoon from PNC Park and the 2014 National League Wild Card game where the Pirates (88-74) look to advance to the NLDS as they host the Giants (88-74). Season Series The Pirates took the season series (4-2) to lock up home field for tonight's Wild Card game. Realistically, the six games could have gone either way as five of the six meetings were decided by two runs or less while two were decided in the final inning — a Giants 11-10 win in 10 innings and Starling Marte's walk-off ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 9/20: Hurdle discusses the rotation’s recent success
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (83-70) look to put a stranglehold on the N.L. Wild Card race against the Brewers (79-75). Edinson Volquez (12-7, 3.27 ERA) will oppose Matt Garza (8-8, 3.74 ERA). Playoff Update -- With the comeback win last night, the Pirates extended their Wild Card lead over the Brewers to 4 1/2 games. -- The Giants lost last night to pull the Pirates to within one game of the first Wild Card spot (home field in the Wild Card game). -- The Cardinals held off ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 9/19: Hurdle discusses the magnitude of the Brewers series
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (82-70) look to extend their Wild Card lead against the Brewers (79-74). Jeff Locke (7-5, 3.66 ERA) will start things off for the Bucs against Yovani Gallardo (8-10, 3.59 ERA). Injury Update Charlie Morton experienced "increased discomfort" towards the end of his last start and again during bullpen session yesterday. He will have a follow up exam next week. Vance Worley will start for the Pirates in their home finale on Sunday vs. ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 9/18: Hurdle discusses the importance of shuffling the lineup
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (81-70) look to complete the three-game sweep of the Red Sox (66-86). Gerrit Cole (9-5, 3.92 ERA) will take the mound and oppose Brandon Workman (1-9, 5.27 ERA). Playoff Update -- The Cardinals defeated the Brewers 2-0 last night to remain 2 1/2 up on the Pirates for the N.L. Central lead. The Brewers now trail the Bucs by 2 1/2 for the second N.L. Wild Card. The two teams will finish up a three-game series tonight in St. Louis. -- The Giants ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 9/17: Pirates make move on Cardinals, Hurdle discusses a healthy Liriano
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (80-70) look to clinch their second straight non-losing season against the Red Sox (66-85). Francisco Liriano (5-10, 3.53 ERA) will oppose Clay Buchholz (8-8, 5.19 ERA). Playoff Update -- The Pirates are now 2 1/2 games behind the Cardinals for first in the National League Central after St. Louis's loss to Milwaukee in extras last night. The Brewers remain 1 1/2 behind Pittsburgh for the second Wild Card. -- The Giants beat the Diamondbacks last ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 9/16: Playoff update, Hurdle discusses Morton’s start
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (79-70) have a golden chance to improve their playoff chances against the Red Sox (66-84) in the final Interleague series of the season. Charlie Morton (5-12, 3.84 ERA) will make his first start since the middle of August and will oppose Anthony Ranaudo (3-2, 5.40 ERA). Standings Update -- The Brewers head to St. Louis to start a three-game series against the Cardinals. The Pirates trail the Cardinals by 3 1/2 games in the division while leading ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 9/13: Hurdle discusses offensive success, Locke’s control
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (78-69) look to extend their winning streak to four games as they face the Cubs (64-83). Jeff Locke (7-4, 3.60 ERA) will take the hill and oppose Felix Doubront (1-1, 2.25 ERA). Injury Update Starling Marte is out of the lineup once again with "elbow discomfort". He is available to pinch-run if needed. "He went out and swung a bat. He tried to do some defensive work and he's still limited in a couple of different areas," said manager Clint ... Read More