The Pittsburgh Pirates' reaction to Tuesday night's 5-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners can best be summarized by something simple: a hung head. Pittsburgh starter Jon Niese hung his head after Seattle's Nelson Cruz hit a towering home run, the 19th homer the Pirates starter surrendered this season. Cruz's ball stayed just fair, flirting with the left field foul pole and giving Cruz 20 home runs for the eighth consecutive ... Read More
Alvarez making improvements in becoming two-way player
No Pirates player gets more reaction for better or worse than Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Pedro Alvarez. It isn't for lack of trying. One of the first things that come to mind when Alvarez's name comes up with players and coaches on the team is how hard he works. “His work ethic is as good as anybody that’s been around," hitting coach Jeff Branson said. "It’s nothing any different, he’s just simplified his plan and his sights of where he wants pitches. All of the drill work he does every ... Read More
Pirates Stewart a creature of habit
When Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Chris Stewart sat down with manager Clint Hurdle and hitting coach Jeff Branson, upon signing with the team to map out a routine that would allow him to find success on both sides of the ball, they focused on Stewart's offense. “It probably started with a little bit of ADHD," Stewart said. The early results have shown Stewart, by his own words, to have quality at-bats while letting the pitcher know that he no longer is an easy out. Hurdle mentioned Stewart's ... Read More