Get out the brooms, because the Pittsburgh Pirates just swept the Atlanta Braves. Sunday at PNC Park, the Pirates beat the Braves 6-5 in 10 innings after winning 6-4 on Saturday and 5-4 on Friday. Pittsburgh starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (6.55 ERA, 1.64 WHIP) turned in a pretty mediocre second start of the season, giving up three runs on eight hits in six innings. Two of those runs came as a result of home runs — Dansby Swanson launched a 390-foot one-run homer in the first inning and ... Read More
Fifth inning derails strong Opening Day start for Gerrit Cole, Pirates
In the first four innings of Monday's season opener against the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates starter Gerrit Cole gave up one hit and one walk on 50 pitches. But all that was derailed in one frame. In the fifth inning, Cole faced all nine of Boston's batters and gave up five runs on six hits. Those five runs were all the Red Sox would need to take home the “W” on opening day at Fenway Park, beating the Pirates by a final score of 5-3. That fifth inning started innocuously enough when ... Read More
Column: Great, now what?
Mercifully, the Pittsburgh Pirates' season (78-83) ended Sunday afternoon after a 10-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Let's be honest for a second, what reason is there for you to waste your time with another recap about how the bullpen didn't hold up their end of the bargain? None? That's what I thought, too. So, let's take a look at what needs to change for next season. This season has been over for some time now, arguably when the offseason ended and both Jeff Locke and Jon ... Read More
Neal Huntington examines season, team’s future
For what is likely the final time this season, Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington met with reporters to discuss a myriad of topics relating to the past, present and future. Here's an edited transcript of what was said. On pitcher Gerrit Cole’s routine: “Really, his offseason routine has been a good one. We had the challenge in January (right rib inflammation) that we’ll address, but he was working. It’s hard to fault a guy for working when he got off track. Essentially knocked ... Read More
Pirates shut Gerrit Cole down for the season
The Pittsburgh Pirates made some roster moves Tuesday regarding their active roster. The team announced that pitcher Gerritt Cole has been placed on the 60-day disabled list, which will run until the end of the Pirates regular season. The reason for Cole’s DL placement is due to right elbow posterior inflammation. To fill space on the team’s roster, the Pirates have acquired a left-handed pitcher Wade LeBlanc in a trade with the Seattle Mariners. The Pirates are to give away either cash or ... Read More
Cole’s return lasts two innings in loss
Gerrit Cole's return lasted two innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates dropped a 6-2 game to the Philadelphia Phillies. This extends their losing streak to four games and 12 of the past 14 with 10 consecutive road games to go. Cole (7-10) needed 55 pitches to get through those two innings and was erratic walking four batters and allowing four hits. Though the damage all came in a five-run second inning, Cole was actually given a 1-0 lead when Gregory Polanco reached base on a force play when ... Read More
Pirates drop series finale to Reds, 8-0
The Pittsburgh Pirates were trying to salvage what was a disappointing homestand but instead lost 8-0 Sunday afternoon to the Cincinnati Reds. This was a game in which Ryan Vogelsong struggled through four innings and the offense stranded the bases loaded on two separate occasions. The loss puts the Pirates at 69-72 with 21 games remaining. This loss put the Pirates at 2-8 in their 10-game home stand. "My vision is to get us playing better," manager Clint Hurdle said. "I’m not going to ... Read More
Pirates’ three-run first inning propels team over Reds
After breaking an eight-game losing streak, the Pittsburgh Pirates extended their win streak to two with a 4-1 victory Thursday night against the Cincinnati Reds with a huge performance from Pittsburgh starter Ivan Nova. This victory brings the Pirates back to .500 with an even 69-69 record. For the second time as a Pirate, Nova (12-6) pitched a complete game, this time on 94 pitches — he could have pitched for “the Maddux,” a complete game with no runs allowed and under 100 pitches, but Nova ... Read More
Neal Huntington talks Nova, playoffs, Cole and more
Neal Huntington met with reporters prior to Sunday's Pittsburgh Pirates game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Here are some highlights of said press conference. On Neftali Feliz: "Feliz feels better today. It’s more muscular than connective tissue. That is our read right now. On Jake Brentz and Pedro Vasquez, the relievers the Pirates picked up in Caminero trade: “We had a list of players we agreed to when we traded Caminero there. We tracked them with multiple scouts and took different ... Read More
Pirates place Gerrit Cole on DL, recall Steven Brault
The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced starting pitcher Gerrit Cole has been placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Aug. 25 with posterior inflammation of the right elbow. Left-handed pitcher Steven Brault, tonight’s starter against the Chicago Cubs, has been recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis in the corresponding move. LHP Steven Brault has been recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis and will start tonight in Chicago. — Pirates (@Pirates) August 29, 2016 Cole, who is 7-9 this ... Read More