Gregory Polanco has been in the big leagues for more than a month and while he had one of the more successful starts a prospect could have after making the jump -- .288/.374/.749 with two home runs, 10 RBI and 11 walks in June --, he has cooled down as pitchers have learned how to throw to him and Polanco has tried to adjust. What most overlook though, is a rookie not only has to adjust to the pace and play on the field, but the everyday occurrences that go on before and after the game. ... Read More
Quiet bats wake up in Pirates 12-7 victory
Gregory Polanco and Ike Davis each broke out their slumps in style going a combined 5-for-9 with two home runs and five RBI as the Pirates defeated the Dodgers 12-7 on Tuesday night. After a back-and-forth contest through 5 1/2 innings, the Pirates (53-47) finally broke through for good in the bottom of the sixth. Russell Martin and Ike Davis started the inning with singles and advanced 90-feet on a Josh Harrison sac bunt. After a strikeout and a walk to load the bases, Polanco worked the ... Read More
Polanco Leads Pirates Over Diamondbacks 5-1
Pittsburgh-- Charlie Morton pitched six innings of one-run ball and Gregory Polanco hit his third career home run as the Pirates defeated the Diamondbacks 5-1 on Wednesday night. The Pirates (44-40) got off to a fast start in the first against Diamondbacks starter Chase Anderson when Gregory Polanco hit a double off the Clemente Wall. The ball was misplayed by Gerardo Parra allowing Polanco to reach third. Starling Marte then knocked him in with a groundout to short. The Pirates added on ... Read More
Polanco Homers for First Time at PNC in Pirates 5-2 Victory
Gregory Polanco showed a sold out PNC Park crowd what he can do with his power as his three-run homer propelled the Pirates to a 5-2 victory over the Mets on Thursday night. The fifth inning shot into the Clemente seats helped secure another victory for Vance Worley, who went seven innings allowing one run on seven hits. It wasn't Worley's strongest start, but he was able to work out of a couple of jams with the aid of his defense. With runners on first and second with two out in the ... Read More
Worley, Harrison Push Pirates Past Cubs
Vance Worley provided another strong outing and Josh Harrison came through with two big hits as the Pirates defeated the Cubs 5-3 on Saturday night at Wrigley. A rain delay of two hours delayed the start of the game, but Worley wasn't phased as he threw 6 2/3 innings of five-hit, three-run ball with most of the damage coming in the fourth inning. With the Pirates (36-38) leading 1-0 on a Jordy Mercer solo home run, the Cubs (31-41) struck back as Anthony Rizzo followed a Chris Coghlan ... Read More
Pirates Salvage a Game From Reds in Extras
Pittsburgh-- Russell Martin worked a bases loaded walk in the twelfth inning as the Pirates played walk-off to salvage a game from the Reds 4-3. Jeff Locke played the role of stopper for the Pirates (35-37) as he allowed two runs on three hits in six strong innings of work. The Reds (35-36) got a run in the first when Billy Hamilton again hurt the Bucs with a leadoff double. He then stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly. They did the same in the fourth when Joey Votto started the inning ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 6/17: Hurdle Discusses Hitting Cueto
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
Polanco is Already Making His Mark in Pittsburgh
Gregory Polanco wasn't on many people's radars at this time last year. The right fielder was just making the jump from high-A Bradenton to AA Altoona. What he has done since then has possibly changed the course of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for at least the next four years. Polanco is currently posting a .387 (12-for-31)/.484/.890 line in his six games as a Pirate with seven runs and 5 RBI. He also has one home run, which proved to be the difference maker in a 13-inning victory over ... Read More
Liriano Leaves Injured, Pirates Make Mental Mistakes in 7-3 Loss
Francisco Liriano left the game in the third inning due to "left side discomfort" and the game seemed to fall out of hand after that as the Cubs defeated the Pirates 7-3 on Gregory Polanco's debut game in the black and gold. Liriano didn't get out of the gates the way he wanted as he allowed a one out single to Junior Lake and then left a changeup up to Anthony Rizzo that he sent into the Clemente seats. After that, Liriano settled down retiring seven of eight batters before leaving the ... Read More
What to expect from Gregory Polanco?
It took an appendectomy to Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Neil Walker for it to finally happen, but the wait is finally over for prized prospect Gregory Polanco and Pirates' fans as Polanco will make his long awaited MLB debut on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs. Since we now know that the Pirates won't wait until 2018 to promote Polanco, the only question remaining is what we should expect from him? It's always difficult predicting the fate of young players, but having gotten the ... Read More