Vance Worley allowed a run for the first time as a reliever and the Pittsburgh Pirates lost on walk-off home run to the Atlanta Braves. The 5-4 victory ends a four-game winning streak. Worley [2-4] allowed a lead-off homer to Christian Bethancourt. The 84 mile-per-hour slider went over the right field wall. "I thought it was a good pitch to him," Worley said. "Somehow he got enough barrel on it." The Braves scored the first two runs. A Chris Johnson solo home run off Jeff Locke in the ... Read More
Locke struggles as Pirates split series
Pittsburgh Pirates fans have been hard on Jeff Locke at times this season and tonight's four-inning outing as part of a 7-1 loss to the San Diego Padres will not help the pitcher's case. Locke [3-3] allowed all seven runs [six of which were earned] on eight hits while throwing 89 pitches. In two career starts against the Padres Locke has allowed 10 earned runs in nine innings of work while posting an 0-2 record. The Padres scored at least one run in each inning Locke pitched, which allowed ... Read More
Pirates score season high in victory
For the vast majority of his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, fans complained that A.J. Burnett did not receive run support. That was not the case against the San Diego Padres as the Pirates gave their starting pitcher the most runs in a game he pitched since July 8, 2012 in an 11-5 victory over the San Diego Padres. The 11 runs were a season-best and the most the team has scored since August 11 against the Detroit Tigers. The Pirates scored in each of the first four innings with home ... Read More
Pirates pregame 5/25: Liz designated for assignment; Morton makes season debut
The Pittsburgh Pirates will conclude an eight game homestand with a three game series against the Miami Marlins. The Pirates lost the first two games to the Minnesota Twins before earning a sweep against the New York Mets. Now the Miami Marlins come to town on a two game winning streak after losing its eight games prior. Tonight’s starters: The Pirates will send Charlie Morton to the mound for the first time this season. The Marlins will counter with David Phelps [2-1 3.21 ... Read More
Cole, Stewart keys in Pirates win
The battery of Gerrit Cole and Chris Stewart have joined forces five times this season however in Friday night's contest, they showed efforts on both sides of the ball. The Pittsburgh Pirates were able to win 4-1 in front of 33,337. "He knows the intent I have on different pitches and he’s on the same page with me in terms of that aspect," Cole said of his catcher. "He doesn’t let me shake sometimes when he wants a pitch and he thinks it is the right pitch. It actually gives me more ... Read More
Pirates pregame 5/22: team discusses inconsistency; Morton to return Monday
An eight game homestand continues for the Pittsburgh Pirates as the New York Mets come to town for a three game series. The Mets come into the series with a 24-18 overall which places them half a game behind first place in the National League East. Tonight’s starters: The Pirates will send right-handed starter Gerrit Cole to the mound against Noah Syndergaard. Cole is coming off a loss to the Chicago Cubs in which he allowed two runs on seven hits in six innings of work. Cole is 0-2 in ... Read More
Pirates pregame 5/20: Mercer back in lineup, Polanco gets day off
The Pittsburgh Pirates will look to earn a split in their two-game series against the Minnesota Twins tonight. An 8-5 victory was a result in favor of the Twins in last night's game. Francisco Liriano pitched two innings and allowed seven runs. The Pirates attempted to rally, however they stranded 10 base runners which limited the damage they could cause. Pedro Alvarez connected for his seventh home run of the season, a homer that ended up being the third ball to land in the Allegheny ... Read More
Pirates lose third in a row on walk-off trip
The Pittsburgh Pirates have shown the ability to fight back under manager Clint Hurdle. That ability was on display more than once Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field, but as much as the Pirates would fight, a bizarre play ultimately sent them to their third defeat in row, falling victim to the Chicago Cubs 11-10 in 12 innings. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the 12th inning, Pirates reliever Radhames Liz got Matt Szczur to pop up to shallow right field. However the Cubs ... Read More
Polanco gaining confidence on defense
PNC Park's right field is shorter than the average ballpark, however that does not mean it does not present its own unique challenges. Gregory Polanco is in his first full season of playing right field for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and after a part-time run last season filled with ups and downs, his defense his been an improvement. “I’ve played right field before so I knew the angle of the ball and when they hit," Polanco said. "It’s just practicing every day and getting better.” Polanco's ... Read More
Pirates win series behind Kang’s bat
Jung-ho Kang accounted for two Pirates runs including the game-winning run as part of a 4-3 Mother's Day victory in front of 34,036 fans. “We feel we’re playing better baseball," manager Clint Hurdle said. "That's what we’ve talked about and that’s where our focus needs to stay. We’re definitely competing in the batter’s box which gives you more opportunities throughout the game.” The Pirates struck first for a fourth game in a row. Kang recorded a one out home run over the left field ... Read More