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 potentially lose Mercer; swept by Brewers
The hits keep coming for the Pittsburgh Pirates following a 6-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. Not only did the Brewers battle back and spoil Jeff Locke's start, but Jordy Mercer was removed from the game in the second inning. Mercer was injured trying to tag Carlos Gomez to start a double play. Gomez stepped on Mercer's leg well short of second base and the Pirates shortstop went down in pain. After being checked out by Todd Tomczyk and Ben Potenziano was placed on a cart. Pirates PR ... Read More
Pirates lose series to Brewers
Prior to the first pitch the Pittsburgh Pirates revealed that Francisco Liriano would not start Saturday night's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. It was not the only loss of the night as the Pirates fell by an 8-5 score. Liriano was scratched from the start due to neck stiffness and as a result, Vance Worley made his first start of the season since May 14, an appearance which came against one of his former teams, the Philadelphia Phillies. Worley [3-5] allowed five runs [four earned] on ... 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
Locke falters after rain delay in Pirates loss
The St. Louis Cardinals used a four-run fifth after a 36-minute rain delay to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates by a 4-1 score. Jeff Locke [5-5] allowed two hits through four innings before the four-run inning. Randal Grichuk led off the inning with a single and Xavier Scruggs reached after a Jordy Mercer error. Carlos Martinez [10-3] moved both runners over with a sacrifice bunt and then Matt Carpenter's single put the first two Cardinals runs on the scoreboard. Yadier Molina was responsible ... Read More
Pirates pregame 7/9: Cardinals arrive for highly anticipated series
In the series some are calling "the main event", the Pittsburgh Pirates will begin a four-game series tonight against the St. Louis Cardinals. This is a match-up between the lone two teams to win 50 games this season. The Pirates are coming off their first sweep of the San Diego Padres in Pittsburgh since 1994 and won each of the three games in come from behind fashion. The Cardinals meanwhile were down to their last strike in last night's game before Jhonny Peralta hit a two-run home run that ... Read More
Pirates Locke-down Indians
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Locke pitched eight innings for the first time since April 18 and allowed his lowest hit total of the season in a 1-0 victory against the Cleveland Indians. “The two guys that went out there and did that mound work were really good today," manager Clint Hurdle said. "They both attacked the zone, and I can’t say enough about Locke’s outing today.” Locke [5-4] pitched eight innings three times in 2014, as well. In his eight innings of work he ... Read More
Pirates pregame 7/4: Hurdle responds to ESPN survey; Marte’s defense
The Pittsburgh Pirates look to get back on the winning track with its Fourth of July afternoon game against the Cleveland Indians. The Indians won last night's game by a 5-2 final score. Jeff Locke [4-4 4.55 ERA] will pitch for the Pirates against Cody Anderson [1-0 0.57 ERA]. Locke is 5-1 with a 2.84 ERA in eight career Interleague starts and is 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA in those appearances this season. In his last start he took a loss against the Atlanta Braves. Locke allowed one run on five ... Read More
Braves hold off Pirates’ rallies to prevent sweep.
After being shut down all day by Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Alex Wood [5-5], the Pirates finally got on board with a two-out ninth inning double by Jordy Mercer that scored Francisco Cervelli, but former Pirates closer Jason Grilli struck out Gregory Polanco to secure a 2-1 Atlanta victory. The Pirates were looking for their first sweep against the Atlanta Braves since 1994. The Braves scored single runs in the fifth and seventh innings. With two outs in the fifth, Cameron Maybin ... Read More