We finish up our Pirates Spring Training preview at first base, the position that is the most surprising going into Mondays season opener. Gaby Sanchez was a lock going into the spring at first base, but his platoon partner wasn't. The partner for him was looking like Andrew Lambo, who had to only put a decent showing to lock up the spot. He didn't even do that as he hit .095/.095/.269 in 42 spring at bats. The Pirates were lucky enough to have Travis Ishikawa step up and take the ... Read More
Pirates Win In 14, Sweep Brewers 2 – 1
In a game that went 6+ hours and included a 2 hr 20 min rain delay in the second inning, The Pirates battled their way to a 14-inning victory thanks to a Russell Martin pinch-hit walk off single against the Milwaukee Brewers to complete a 3-game sweep by the score of 2 - 1. Charlie Morton and Kyle Lohse started the game at 1:35pm and lasted only two innings each as a storm system slowly came through causing a 2 hour, 20 minute rain delay. Before the delay, Morton and the Pirates allowed an ... Read More
Pirates downed by Braves on the road
The Pittsburgh Pirates kept up their trend of losing the first game of the series Monday night as they fell to the Atlanta Braves, 7-2. The Pirates started out on top, scoring off of a Gaby Sanchez ground rule double in the 3rd inning, but everything went downhill in the 4th. First, starting pitcher AJ Burnett gave up a two-run shot to Brian McCann, driving in Freddie Freeman, who walked to start off the inning. Then, after some arguable calls, manager Clint Hurdle and catcher Russell Martin ... Read More
Pirates answer questions en route to 3-1 victory
Oh how the storylines were in abundance Saturday night in PNC Park. Former Pirates starter, Paul Maholm, returned to Pittsburgh as one of the best pitchers in baseball this year. No, really. Maholm sported a record of 3-0 and had yet to give up a run. Then you have Mr. Jekyll and Hyde (on the field that is) in James McDonald for the Pirates. In some instances, he looks brilliant, but at other times, he's a disaster. "There's two guys. There's the guy that everyone wants to play behind," ... Read More
With starting lineup set, Pirates look to fill bench positions
The Pittsburgh Pirates are going into this season with their starting lineup pretty much set in stone barring any injuries. They will have Russel Martin at catcher, Garret Jones at first base, Neil Walker at second base, Pedro Alvarez playing third, Clint Barmes at shortstop, Starling Marte, Andrew McCutchen, and Travis Snider patrolling the outfield. It has been said that Gabby Sanchez will get some time at first base. So that means he has solidified his spot on the bench so that only leaves ... Read More
Pirates Ink Jones and Sanchez
The Pittsburgh Pirates were able to reach deals with first basemen Garrett Jones and Gaby Sanchez on Friday. Jones has been with the Pirates since 2009 and has been a bright spot for their offense. If nothing else, Jones has been consistent. Last season he batted .274, hitting 27 homers and driving in 86 runs. Both were well above his average as the 27 homeruns were a career high and 86 RBI's tie a career major league high for Jones. On the field he was just as confident. He posted a fielding ... Read More