Having the bases loaded was not necessarily a recipe for the success for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night, but pinch-hitter Pedro Alvarez made sure 39,404 fans went home happy. Alvarez's pinch-hit single with the bases full in the bottom of the tenth gave the Pirates a 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. “Just because you don’t start a game it doesn’t mean that you won’t play a role in the game," Alvarez said. "I can speak for everyone here when they are in the same situation ... Read More
Pirates slug 12 hits in victory
The Chicago Cubs used a three-run sixth inning to tie the game while the Pittsburgh Pirates were using its third pitcher of the inning, Antonio Bastardo. Bastardo [3-1] faced pinch-hitter Chris Coghlan with the bases loaded and two outs. Coghlan grounded out on the first pitch keeping the score tied at four. The Pirates would respond following the out and won by a 7-5 score. “The absolute biggest pitch of the night for me," manager Clint Hurdle said. "It was a real efficient one-pitch ... Read More
Kang plays hero in Pirates victory
Pittsburgh Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle has consistently given Jung Ho Kang a lineup card following each time he accomplishes a first in the major leagues. Tuesday night likely will be no different as his go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth inning gave the Pirates an 8-7 road victory over the Minnesota Twins. Earlier, Gregory Polanco had four at-bats, three of which resulted in hard-hit contact, however each were outs. In the eighth inning and the bases loaded however the script ... Read More
Pirates win series in front of sellout crowd
Up by two runs with starter Gerrit Cole out of the game, Tony Watson faced Bryce Harper with two on and two out. Harper hit a ground ball that Sean Rodriguez read off a hop and ran to the bag to record the third out. “It was one of those in-between ones," Rodriguez said. "That was basically one of those that if I get to it then there’s no play at first but I could at least keep a run from scoring. I took that chance and [Walker] said it was the right read.” The Pittsburgh Pirates took ... Read More
Resilient Pirates come back against Scherzer, Nationals
The last two nights have been quiet ones for Brent Morel, however in the bottom of the sixth inning, that changed. In what could be his final at-bat before being designated for assignment-- Aramis Ramirez is expected to be added to the roster this weekend -- Morel hit an RBI double that scored Francisco Cervelli from first base and gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a lead that they would not relinquish, and they held on to defeat the Washington Nationals by a 7-5 score on Friday night. “I was ... Read More
Pirates pregame 7/24: Bucs vs. Scherzer; Caminero pitching through rough patch
When the Pittsburgh Pirates landed from Kansas City at 2:30 a.m Thursday morning, they were coming off a 1-5 road trip. The Pirates returned home and defeated the Washington Nationals by a 7-3 score. Francisco Liriano picked up the win and manager Clint Hurdle would remark after the game of his starting pitcher's early game dominance that he had never seen four innings where it was only the pitcher, catcher and first baseman that had to make plays. The Pirates hope to make it two in a row ... Read More
Pirates pregame 7/23: Liriano back; Alvarez gone?
The phrase there is no place like home may resonate for the Pittsburgh Pirates following a 1-5 road trip. The Pirates are 32-16 overall this season at PNC Park and winners of eight of their past nine home contests. Now, the Washington Nationals come to town, perhaps something which could bode well for the Pirates considering their 11-1 home record against National League East opponents at PNC Park. Coming into tonight's game, the Nationals lead the NL East by three games over the New York ... Read More
COLUMN: Polanco could be Pirates biggest X-Factor in second half
Now more than ever the Pittsburgh Pirates need Gregory Polanco to live up to his potential. The Pirates are in the midst of a tightly contested NL Central race with the St. Louis Cardinals, but Josh Harrison’s injury will keep him out at least another month, while Starling Marte has been battling the injury bug lately. This is the perfect chance for Polanco’s star to shine: to be the guy that steps up and helps deliver the Pirates to their first ever NL Central crown. The Pirates need ... Read More
Pirates top-10 first half moments
It was a very successful first half of the season for the Pittsburgh Pirates as it has the third best record in the major leagues. With that in mind it is time to revisit some of the successes in the first half of the season. 10. Home opener- This was mentioned in an earlier article so I will keep the description short. A home opener always makes every baseball fan excited as they have waited a long time for the season to begin. The familiar sights, smells and sounds bring a smile to every ... Read More
Bucs walk it off again with 10th-inning rally
Of all times to get first career walkoff hit, Gregory Polanco decided to do it in front of a national audience. His 10th inning single was part of a three-run inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 6-5. The Pirates will go into the All-Star Break with a 53-35 record and trail the Cardinals by just 2.5 games in the National League Central after taking three games of a four-game series. “This series has been crazy," Francisco Cervelli said. "Four playoff like ... Read More