Pittsburgh Pirates Jameson Taillon threw a season-high eight innings but came away with a 3-1 loss to his hometown Houston Astros. Taillon (3-3) allowed two runs on four hits in the eight innings and added eight strikeouts. This is Taillon's first loss since July 30, as he allowed four earned runs in 20 innings his past three starts, good for a 1.80 ERA. The difference in this game was a 3-1 fifth-inning fastball Teoscar Hernandez hit into the left-field seats for his third home run of ... Read More
Pirates take series vs. Padres with 4-0 afternoon win
Thursday, the Pittsburgh Pirates (57-55) got what they desperately needed: a series win. The team beat the San Diego Padres 4-0 in an afternoon game to put Pittsburgh two games above .500. The Pirates started off the series with a 4-6 win Tuesday night before falling short in a 4-0 loss Wednesday night. Jameson Taillon (3-2, 2.85 ERA, 1.08 WHIP) threw out the first pitch for the Pirates, with shortstop Jordy Mercer and second baseman Josh Harrison both recording quick outs to get ... Read More
Ivan Nova set to make PNC Park debut
Tonight, the Pirates take on the Cincinnati Reds in Game Two of a three-game series. The game also serves as pitcher Ivan Nova's Pirates debut. With the New York Yankees this season, Nova was 7-6 with a 4.90 ERA in 21 games, 15 of which were starts. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle offered a checklist of what he's looking for in Nova's start. “He needs to follow the glove, display sinker command, have the ability to use some secondary pitches if need be and possess rhythm and pace,” Hurdle ... Read More
Base-running gaffes cost Pirates in 5-3 loss to Brewers
When five consecutive batters reached base in the fourth inning, it seemed like Saturday night's game could be big for the Pittsburgh Pirates (52-50). But the opportunity was squandered, and only one baserunner scored. As such, manager Clint Hurdle couldn't even force a smile in a 5-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers (46-56). Even the play where the run scored, a Jung Ho Kang single, didn't have the desired impact as Starling Marte was thrown out at third base. This came after Marte was also ... Read More
Diaz makes debut in Pirates lineup; Glasnow to DL
The Pittsburgh Pirates will be looking for another series win Sunday when it faces the Philadelphia Phillies. Zach Eflin threw his second career complete game as the Phillies won Game 1, 4-0. The Pirates had a five run fifth inning winning Game 2, 7-4. In the rubber match, Jameson Taillon (2-1, 3.44 ERA) will face Vince Velasquez (8-2, 3.15 ERA). Taillon will be making his seventh major league start. In his last start, he had a no-decision allowing a run on five hits in six innings ... Read More
Pirates take advantage of Brewers’ miscue in 3-2 win
For eight innings in Tuesday night's Pittsburgh Pirates' contest against the Milwaukee Brewers (39-52), the Pirates led. Then, in the ninth inning, Pittsburgh (48-45) handed the ball to closer Mark Melancon, who allowed the first two Brewers he faced to reach base (issuing a walk to Ryan Braun and giving up a single to Jonathan Lucroy). Melancon seemed to find his rhythm and get things together, striking out the next two batters he faced. But, needing one final strike to close out the game, ... Read More
Huntington will use All-Star break to Pirates’ advantage
For the final time before the second half of play begins, Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington met with reporters to discuss various topics. On pitcher Gerrit Cole's health and ideal return date: “We'll see how he responds and bounces back. Ideally, we'll get him back soon after the All-Star break if he can, but if he needs another one we'll get him another one.” On pitcher Jameson Taillon's health: “He's doing great. We had planned on giving him 10 days around the All-Star ... Read More
How do Pirates match up against potential playoff aces?
It's funny. On July 4, I said this week is a make-or-break week to keep the Pirates' playoff hopes alive. All they've done since is take the first two games of the series against the Cardinals — in St. Louis — to push Pittsburgh's winning streak to six games. Suddenly, the Chicago Cubs are in reach, and the magnitude of this weekend's series against Chicago is even bigger. Still, I don't think, under any circumstances, the Pirates will be able to win the NL Central. If they get into the ... Read More
Where does Glasnow’s debut rank among other Pirates?
The Triple-A Indianapolis Indians rotation takeover is in full effect in Pittsburgh. According to ESPN's Buster Olney, Pittsburgh Pirates top prospect Tyler Glasnow is expected to make his major league debut tomorrow afternoon against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Glasnow, a fifth-round draft pick in 2011 by the Pirates, has had a ton of hype while pitching in the minor leagues. However, in regards to buzz surrounding a debut, where does Glasnow's highly anticipated first major ... Read More
What to expect from Pirates’ Steven Brault
When the Pirates announced yesterday that pitcher Jameson Taillon was going on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder fatigue, the thought came that they wanted to give him some extra rest with the All-Star break coming up so that they could manage his innings now instead of shutting him down sooner at the end of the year. But with the Pirates in the midst of their biggest week of the season against the Cardinals and Cubs, it doesn't quite add up. With prized prospect Tyler Glasnow pitching ... Read More