Good afternoon from PNC Park where today the Pirates (34-35) begin a three-game set with the Reds (33-35). Brandon Cumpton (2-2, 6.06 ERA) will take the hill for the home team and will oppose Johnny Cueto (6-5, 1.85 ERA). DL Update -- Neil Walker will take BP and fielding practice prior to today's game. He will also simulate getting prepared to pinch-hit during the game. -- Francisco Liriano will maybe play catch on Thursday. -- Gerrit Cole played catch today. He had a 34-pitch side-session ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 6/11: Liriano to the DL, Hurdle Discusses All Star Opportunities
Good afternoon from PNC Park where today the Pirates (30-34) look to bounce back from last night's 7-3 loss to the Cubs (26-36) in the third game of a four-game set. Brandon Cumpton (1-2, 6.51 ERA) will take the hill for the Bucs against Jason Hammel (6-3, 2.53 ERA). DL Update Francisco Liriano has been placed on the 15-Day DL with a left oblique strain. Stolmy Pimentel has been activated from the DL to take his place on the roster. Hurdle on Cole's status: "He threw out to 90 ft [yesterday] ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 6/9: Hurdle Discusses Morton’s Extra Day of Rest
Good afternoon from PNC Park where today the Pirates (29-33) look to rebound from the Brewers series as they begin a four-game set with the Cubs (25-35). Charlie Morton (2-7, 3.31 ERA) will once again face Edwin Jackson (4-5, 4.59 ERA). Hurdle's Quotes On Ike Davis facing Jackson instead of Gaby Sanchez as planned: "I went and looked at some more tape. Right-handed hitters against Jackson, left-handed hitters against Jackson, watched the at bats yesterday that Gaby took off of the right-hander ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 6/7: Locke Scratched from AAA Start
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (29-31) look to continue their climb up the NL Central standings against the Brewers (36-26). Edinson Volquez (3-4, 4.25ERA) will oppose Matt Garza (3-4, 4.42 ERA). -- Jeff Locke was scratched from his start in AAA Indianapolis last night. Manager Clint Hurdle says the team is "working through" their short term rotation plans. Tomorrow is supposed to be Charlie Morton's spot in the rotation and Gerrit Cole is supposed to go on Monday, ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 6/6: Hurdle Talks Tabata’s Hot Bat vs. Lohse, Marte Update
Good afternoon from PNC Park where tonight the Pirates (28-31) begin a pivotal three-game series with the Brewers (36-25), who are seven games ahead of the Bucs for first place in the NL Central. Brandon Cumpton (0-2, 6.85 ERA) will take the hill and will face Kyle Lohse (7-1, 2.60 ERA). Hurdle's Quotes On Jose Tabata starting in LF tonight: "It because Tabata has had a really good history hitting [Lohse] if you have looked at his numbers. It's not 12 at bats, it's 33 at bats, it's 14 hits, ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 5/24: Marquee Pitching Matchup on National TV
Good afternoon from PNC Park where tonight, in front of a FOX Baseball Night in America audience, the Pirates (21-26) look to extend their three-game win streak against the Nationals (24-24). Gerrit Cole (4-3, 3.84 ERA) will face Stephen Strasburg (3-3, 3.38 ERA) in a battle of #1 overall picks. Hurdle's Quotes On the matchup of Cole v. Strasburg tonight: "It's one of those marquee matchups. I'm excited for the game and I hope it all plays out because the guy over there [Strasburg], I've got ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 5/23: Lineups, Hurdle Talks Lineup Shakeup
Good afternoon from PNC Park where today the Pirates (20-26) look to add to their winning ways against the Nationals (24-23). Charlie Morton (0-6, 3.45 ERA) will take the hill against Jordan Zimmerman (3-1, 3.70 ERA). Roster Move Jason Grilli has been recalled from the 15-day DL. Tony Sanchez has been optioned to AAA Indianapolis to make room on the active roster for Grilli. Manager Clint Hurdle said the closers job won't immediately be Grilli's. "We're going to give Jason the ball a couple ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 5/21: Lineups, Hurdle Talks Starting Rotation/Cumpton
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (18-26) look to recover from last night's 9-2 loss to the Orioles (23-20) in the second game of a two-game interleague series. Wandy Rodriguez (0-2, 6.84 ERA) will make his second start since returning from the DL and will oppose Chris Tillman (4-2, 3.34 ERA). Hurdle's Quotes On Wandy Rodriguez building off of his last start: "I'm excited to watch him get out there. I think he had anxiety, he had excitement, he had apprehension. He put a lot of ... Read More
Crush Davis Hits Three Homers, O’s Beat Bucs 9-2
Francisco Liriano and the Pirates (18-26) were cruising along with a 1-0 lead until Chris Davis --three home runs on the night -- led an Orioles (23-20) offensive attack to a 9-2 beating of the Bucs on Tuesday night. Liriano had allowed two hits through the first three innings while striking out three before losing control of his pitches in the fourth. Chris Davis started the scoring by reaching via an infield single and scoring on a J.J. Hardy RBI single. Nelson Cruz would also score in the ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 5/20: Lineups, Injury Update, Hurdle’s Quarter-Pole Evaluation
Good afternoon from PNC Park where tonight the Pirates (18-25) face the Orioles (22-20) in the first of a two-game interleague set. Francisco Liriano (0-3, 4.25 ERA) will look to build off of his last start as he faces Miguel Gonzalez (1-3, 4.76 ERA). Injury Update -- Jason Grilli threw the first of two simulated games on back-to-back days today and the results were positive. "It was another good day for him to go and throw all of his pitches," said manager Clint Hurdle. "20 off the mound ... Read More