Following a 5-3 series-opening win against the Colorado Rockies, the Pittsburgh Pirates enter play tonight with a three-game winning streak, having also won the last two games of a series against the Miami Marlins. J.A. Happ will get the ball for the Pirates against Chris Rusin. Happ has not allowed a run in his last two starts [12 innings pitched] and has been charged with one run in his last 17.1 innings of work. He is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in four career appearances [three starts] against ... Read More
AM Joe: Steelers kick off big day in Pittsburgh sports
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Saturday, August 29, 2015. What's on tap for today: The Steelers (1-2) will make the four hour journey north to Buffalo, New York to take on the Bills (1-1) at 4:00 p.m. in their fourth of five preseason contests. Defensive end Stephon Tuitt (ankle) is out, while quarterback Michael Vick may make his Steelers debut. KDKA-TV The Pirates (78-49) will host the Colorado Rockies (51-74) at 7:05 p.m. for the second game of their ... Read More
Pirates mailbag: Glasnow, who starts at third, and Happ or Locke
The MLB Playoffs are just around the corner and the Pirates are in good position to make a run at the National League Central. If that does not pan out, they do hold the top spot in the NL Wild Card race. With that in mind, PSN readers submitted their questions and for the first time, I will take them on in this mailbox. Does Tyler Glasnow get called in before season's end and if not does he see PNC Park before Jameson Taillon? - Chris Carter At the end of the day, calling up Tyler ... Read More
Happ’s success shows that it’s ‘In Searage we Trust’
Ray Searage may have done it again. The Pittsburgh Pirates pitching coach notorious for turning struggling castaway pitchers into solid and at times outstanding contributors appears to have pulled another rabbit out of his hat. This time, the rabbit’s name is J.A. Happ. Happ has only pitched in four games for the Pirates, but aside from his poor first outing he has been exactly what the doctor ordered for a Pirate rotation that looked to be falling apart a few weeks ago. He has limited ... Read More
Happ wins second straight as Bucs manhandle Marlins
The Pittsburgh Pirates moved to 27 games over .500 for the first time since 1992 with a 5-2 victory Monday night against the Miami Marlins. Andrew McCutchen played in the 1,000th game of his major league career and had two RBI when he hit his 30th double of the season in the third inning. His double put the Pirates in front by a 2-0 score. J.A. Happ [2-1] has now allowed one run in his last 19 innings of work, an ERA of 0.47. He allowed no runs on four hits and has allowed just six hits in ... Read More
Happ back on track with Pirates
It was the smallest of sample sizes, one start but it was enough for the Pittsburgh Pirates to push the reset button on J.A. Happ. The results, though again a small sample size, have been very encouraging. Happ had a successful first half, however he came to the Pirates with the lowest average appearance length among starting pitchers with 20 or more starts. He appeared to prove this with his first appearance for the Pirates when he allowed four runs on nine hits in just 4.1 innings against ... Read More
Pirates, Happ secure series victory
The Pittsburgh Pirates secured its 20th series victory with a 4-1 victory Wednesday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks. J.A. Happ [1-1] went six innings for the Pirates in his longest start with the team. He also surrendered two hits, his lowest total as a starting pitcher since September 12, 2014 against the Tampa Bay Rays. In the game, the Pirates recorded a three-run second inning. The inning started when Jung Ho Kang was hit by a pitch. Francisco Cervelli then added a single and ... Read More
Pirates pregame 8/19: Wall joins bullpen; Florimon DFA’d
Many fans may have already been asleep, however the Pittsburgh Pirates were not and won 9-8 in 15 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks. In tonight's game J.A. Happ [0-1 4.66 ERA] will face Robbie Ray [3-8 3.29 ERA]. Happ is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in four career appearances [three starts] against the Diamondbacks. He earned a no-decision in his last start against the New York Mets he allowed one run on seven hits in 5.1 innings of work. Ray is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA in one career start ... Read More
Pirates continue extra-inning win streak
It took extra innings, however the Pittsburgh Pirates scored two runs to defeat the New York Mets by a 3-2 score in 10 innings Friday night. The Pirates are the first National League opponent to defeat the Mets in a game since July 30 [San Diego Padres]. Additionally the Pirates have won their past six extra inning games. The team is also 19-8 against National League East opponents. J.A. Happ told media throughout last homestand that he looked forward to getting the ball again and showing ... Read More
Pirates pregame 8/8: Polanco heating up in leadoff role
Last night, a 10-inning contest which neared four hours ended in the Pittsburgh Pirates favor, as the Pirates defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers by a 5-4 score. “Both teams were playing hard and playing for a lot," manager Clint Hurdle said. Clayton Kershaw allowed a home run to Gregory Polanco on the first pitch of the bottom of the first inning ending his 37-inning scoreless streak. Despite allowing the second most hits and runs of the season to the Pirates, Kershaw received a ... Read More