The Pirates are getting hot at the right time. They stormed into Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon on a six-game winning streak and ace Gerrit Cole kept things rolling as he and the bullpen held the Cubs to just two runs in a 3-2 series-opening victory for the visiting Bucs. Cole gave up just four hits and one run while striking out eight over seven innings of work. He helped his own cause with some offensive work in the top of the third inning. Jordy Mercer set the table with a ... Read More
AM Joe: Bucs face Cubs in crucial NL Central matchup
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Friday, September 25, 2015. What's on tap for today: Since losing three-of-four to the Chicago Cubs (89-63) in Pittsburgh, last week, the Pirates (93-60) have won six of their last seven games. Despite their recent success, they haven't gained much ground on their NL Central rivals. They remain four games behind the St. Louis Cardinals and just three games ahead of the Cubs, who the Pirates will visit at Wrigley Field for a three-game ... Read More
Pirates ‘Camera Guy’ finds decades of perfect shots
Chances are strong that most fans have seen Walt Srocki every night they've been to PNC Park. The name may not be known by all, but the face certainly is. For 28 seasons, Srocki has been a fixture at the ballpark. He is recognized as the man who wears a No. 0 "Camera Guy" jersey at every game. He had his own shirt made, as well as a trading card, which may be used as a Topps insert next season. Outside of camera work, Srocki has a passion for art, particularly painting, mainly influenced ... Read More
Pirates pregame 9/17: Former reliever gives Watson valuable advice
The Pittsburgh Pirates will look to win its afternoon contest Thursday afternoon against the Chicago Cubs. If the Pirates do win it will avoid losing its first four-game series of the season. This afternoon, Charlie Morton will face Kyle Hendricks. Morton is 3-5 with a 4.71 ERA in 13 career starts against the Cubs. Morton won his last start, snapping a three-game losing streak. In the start, Morton allowed two runs on three hits over six innings of work against the Milwaukee ... Read More
Pirates pregame 9/16: Arrieta faces Pirates on Clemente Day
Following a split of the day/night doubleheader, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs will face off once again, this time in the third game of a four-game series. The Pirates have the unenviable task of facing Jake Arrieta tonight on Roberto Clemente Day. Arrieta is looking to be the first Cubs starting pitcher with 20 wins since Jon Lieber accomplished the feat in 2001. “When you’re connected to the game to win 20 games is still impressive," manager Clint Hurdle said. "It’s just so ... Read More
September call-ups make difference in Pirates Game 1 victory
20-plus media members and five camera lined up by Gerrit Cole's locker following the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs Tuesday afternoon as part of a doubleheader. Jordy Mercer observed the scene and was surprised by the growing amounts of media that pay visits to the clubhouse. "They're focused daily and that's one of the reasons why we've been so successful," manager Clint Hurdle said. "We can't control the externals. There's more people that are going to come, more ... Read More
Pirates pregame 9/15: Doubleheader begins highly anticipated series
Sunny skies and at least 18 innings await the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs in today's day/night doubleheader. Gerrit Cole and J.A. Happ will throw for the Pirates against Jason Hammel and Jon Lester. Cole is 6-1 against the Cubs with a 2.93 ERA in seven career starts. He last pitched Sept. 6 against the St. Louis Cardinals allowing two hits in seven scoreless innings. "I'm getting to see him for the first time this year," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "This guy is a really good ... Read More
Neal Huntington talks about assistant Tyrone Brooks and inning counts
It is a time of the year that is starting to become commonplace for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team is in both a division and wild card race and each decision is becoming more important than the next. With that in mind, Pirates general manager Neal Huntington discussed innings counts and director of player personnel Tyrone Brooks reportedly being courted by the Milwaukee Brewers for their vacant general manager position. Brooks is in his 20th year in baseball and has had stops with the ... Read More
Pirates pregame 9/12: Marte scratched, Hurdle sets rotation for Cubs
The Pittsburgh Pirates ended a seven-game losing streak with a 6-3 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers. The last time the Pirates won before last night's game was June 10. “We got the monkey off our back, now but it’s two teams that know each other very well now," Jordy Mercer said. "It’s the beauty of this game, anybody can beat anyone on any given day regardless of their record.” Chris Stewart came away with three RBI, his highest total since Aug. 20, 2013 when he also had three ... Read More
Opinion: the Pirates can still win the NL Central
Are you really surprised? The Pirates are headed for another season on the back burner of the NL Central; another season headed for a wildcard berth, and another season in which the St. Louis Cardinals give Pirates fans extra gray hairs that they (and I) could seriously live without. Despite playing in the toughest division in baseball, the Pirates would have a multi-game lead over the current leader in four of the five other divisions. Let that just sink in for a moment. A team cursed by ... Read More