With the 2015 season coming to an abrupt end for the Pittsburgh Pirates, they have plenty of time to evaluate their crop of impending free agents before they are set to hit the market. None of them are players they would have to break the bank to keep, though there are a few that the club will likely let find a new team for 2016. Also keep in mind that this list does not include pitcher A.J. Burnett or third baseman Aramis Ramirez, since both said they plan to retire at the end of the ... Read More
Pirates use two-out scoring, bullpen to earn victory
Aramis Ramirez slid safely into third base for his first triple since Aug. 2, 2014 and his Pittsburgh Pirates teammates were grinning ear-to-ear. Why were they smiling? For one Ramirez is not known for his speed, and secondly, the Pirates scored all of their runs on two-out hitting, with this fourth inning triple being one of those runs. The Pirates used this to defeat the Colorado Rockies by a 6-3 score Tuesday night reducing their magic number to one game. If the Pirates win Wednesday or ... Read More
Pirates pregame 9/10: Burnett returns to the mound
The Pittsburgh Pirates return to PNC Park for their first home game in the month of September. The opponent is a familiar one in the Milwaukee Brewers. This is the last series between these two teams in 2015. The Pirates have lost their past six contests against the Brewers and are 6-9 against them this season. Tonight, A.J. Burnett makes his return to the Pirates rotation and will face Wily Peralta. Burnett is returning from right elbow inflammation and missed 37 games overall. He is ... Read More
Kang’s grand slam leads Pirates over Reds
The Pittsburgh Pirates game into Wednesday night's game, the 138th of the regular season, without a grand slam. One swing of Jung Ho Kang's bat in the sixth inning changed that, and his first career grand slam led the Pirates to victory over the Cincinnati Reds. On the mound, J.A. Happ also continued his string of success, allowing two runs over six innings while striking out a season-high 10 batters. It was the first time he struck out 10 or more batters since Aug. 7, 2014. Despite all of ... Read More
Morton goes for sweep; Bucs rearrange rotation, schedule twin bill with Cubs
The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to earn their Major League-leading 14th sweep of the season this afternoon when they play against the Colorado Rockies. In the two previous contests, the Pirates emerged victorious by 5-3 and 4-3 scores respectively. Today, Charlie Morton will face Jorge De La Rosa. Morton is 5-1 at PNC Park with a 2.82 ERA and the Pirates have posted a 12-5 record in Morton's 17 starts this season. In his last start, Morton lost his first decision in over a month, ... Read More
Alvarez a pinch hit hero in walk-off win over Dodgers
Having the bases loaded was not necessarily a recipe for the success for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night, but pinch-hitter Pedro Alvarez made sure 39,404 fans went home happy. Alvarez's pinch-hit single with the bases full in the bottom of the tenth gave the Pirates a 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. “Just because you don’t start a game it doesn’t mean that you won’t play a role in the game," Alvarez said. "I can speak for everyone here when they are in the same situation ... Read More
Defense shines in Pirates victory
Joakim Soria was making his Pittsburgh Pirates debut and loaded the bases while loading the bases. He then fell behind Brayan Pena 3-0 before making hard contact on a 3-1 offering. The Cincinnati Reds appeared poise to tie or lead the game on the play, however Soria stuck his glove out and ended the inning to Pena's surprise. Following a 10-run loss Thursday, the Pirates came back and tied the four-game series with a 5-4 victory. The Pirates finish the month at a National League best 17-9 ... Read More
Pirates DFA Guerra; outright Hernandez to Indianapolis
The Pittsburgh Pirates designated Deolis Guerra for assignment making Joakim Soria able to come onto the major league roster. Soria was acquired by the Pirates from the Detroit Tigers Thursday. Guerra appeared in 10 games and pitched 16.2 innings while posting a 2-0 record. His -0.4 WAR and 6.48 ERA were largely due to a 9.26 ERA in July. Prior to Guerra's call-up, he was in the minor leagues for nine seasons. His changeup was his biggest pitch and he showcased it in his first ... Read More
Pirates acquire Soria from Tigers
On the heels of acquiring reliever Joe Blanton early this morning, the Pirates have made another trade to bolster their bullpen by exchanging AA OF/SS JaCoby Jones with the Detroit Tigers for RHP Joakim Soria. Soria anchored the back-end of the Tigers bullpen posting a 3-1 record with 23 saves in 26 opportunities while holding a 2.85 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 41 innings of work. Soria is in the final year of a 3 year / $14.5 million contract and is owed just over $2.5 million for the ... Read More