Chris Heisey hit a game-tying two-run home run off of Francisco Liriano and a game-winning homer off of Jared Hughes as the Reds salvaged a game from the Pirates with a 3-2 victory on Sunday afternoon. Heisey's two-run shot in the fifth was the first major blip on Liriano's line as the Pirates starter allowed one hit -- a Todd Frazier single in the fourth-- through four innings. Liriano started the fifth with a walk to Ryan Ludwick and Heisey followed with the tying blow into the left field ... Read More
Pirates Position Preview: Middle/Long Relief
The Pirate bullpen was an anchor of the team last year as they were handed small leads many times over the course of the 2013 season and, for the most part, succeeded in bridging the gap between starter and setup/closer. Jeanmar Gomez: 2013: 3 - 0, 3.35 ERA in 80 2/3 IN with 53 strikeouts and 28 walks. Gomez proved more valuable than just a reliever last season as he made 8 spot starts for the Pirates in place of the injured Wandy Rodriguez. In those eight starts between May 1st and June ... Read More
Pirates Gameday: Hughes Activated, Hurdle Talks Morton
PNC Park – The Pirates (65 – 43), fresh off of taking 4-of-5 from the Cardinals, take the field tonight to start a 3-game set against the Rockies (51 – 59). Gerrit Cole (5 – 4, 3.56 ERA) will go against Jhoulys Chacin (9 – 5, 3.54 ERA). Leading Off Jared Hughes has been activated from the 15-day DL and will be in the Shark Tank tonight. Vic Black has been optioned back to AAA Indianapolis to make room for Hughes on the 25-man roster. Manager, Clint Hurdle says it’s more based on availability ... Read More
The “Dude” Who Cried Wolf
A few days ago Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips took to his Twitter account (@DatDudeBP) after a 14 inning victory to accuse one of the Pittsburgh Pirates of shouting something racial at him. He used the hashtags #RealTalk and #Racism to emphasize his point. There’s only one problem with that, none of the Pirates said any such thing to him. So much for “Real Talk.” Naturally the Pirates player in question, pitcher Jared Hughes, quickly and rightfully defended himself but ... Read More