The 2016 Pittsburgh Pirates (52-48) find themselves in a tough position with the trade deadline fast approaching and the team's position in the standings a bit different than in the past three years. Currently, the Pirates are third in the NL Central and trail the division-leading Chicago Cubs by 8.5 games; Pittsburgh is an additional two games out of making the playoffs as a wild card. So, at the trade deadline, should the Pirates be buyers or sellers — or should they simply stand ... Read More
Phillies’ Eflin limits contact in Pirates’ 4-0 loss
The Pittsburgh Pirates met their match Friday night in Philadelphia Phillies 22-year-old rookie pitcher Zach Eflin, who is known for his ability to pitch to contact. As he pitched, the Pirates exhibited little contact, and Eflin recorded his second career complete game as the Phillies shut out the Pirates, 4-0. Eflin (3-3, 3.40 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) threw exactly 100 pitches and allowed only three hits on the night. He got eight ground ball outs and five flyball outs in addition to six ... Read More
Pirates fall to Nationals 5-1 in first game after All-Star break
Prior to the All-Star break, the Pittsburgh Pirates (46-44) fought hard to get back into contention for not just a National League playoff berth, but an NL Central spot, making Friday night's 5-1 loss to the Washington Nationals (55-36) all the more disappointing. Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg has had a 2016 season of historic proportions, and this victory boosts his record to 13-0 on the season. He's the second pitcher in the last 30 years to start a season that way. And despite how ... Read More
Short start proves too much for Pirates to overcome
The Pittsburgh Pirates have been finding ways to come from behind and win games but another short start, this time from Jonathon Niese forced a frequently used bullpen into action early leading to a 6-5 defeat to the Chicago Cubs. Niese lasted a season-low 3.2 innings a day after Chad Kuhl pitched and threw 76 pitches. He allowed five earned runs on eight hits with four of them coming in a two-run first inning. "I think it's just the consistency of the angle," manager Clint Hurdle said. ... Read More
Pirates look to sweep Cubs heading into All-Star break
The Pittsburgh Pirates battled to a comeback 12-6 victory Saturday evening over the Chicago Cubs. Josh Bell had the big hit, a grand slam in his second Major League at-bat. “We were having a blast,” said pitcher Arquimedes Caminero. “It was a fun time playing baseball, playing as hard as we could to win the game. That’s what we try to do when we go out there.” https://twitter.com/Jedidiah412/status/751958240980787200 This afternoon, the Pirates will try to earn a series sweep of the ... Read More
Pirates take opening game against Cardinals, place Taillon on DL
Prior to Monday afternoon's game, it was unclear if Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco would have the chance to be in the starting lineup. By game's end, the answer was fairly clear. Polanco homered twice in a 4-2 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals. His first home run gave the Pirates a 2-1 advantage and came in the sixth inning off Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez. John Jaso, who doubled to lead off the inning, also scored on the play. The second homer came in ... Read More
Niese’s miscues costly in Pirates’ loss
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
Pirates drop fourth consecutive series
For a second consecutive game, the Pittsburgh Pirates struck first, but it wasn't enough, as the San Francisco Giants won the game, 5-3, to clinch the series victory Thursday afternoon. This defeat means the Pirates have lost four consecutive series losses and drops them to 34-39 on the season. Once again, the Pirates started off fast with a first inning sacrifice fly off center fielder Gregory Polanco's bat. He was down 0-2 in the count before his fly ball was deep enough to score second ... Read More
Column: It’s time for Pirates’ excuses, cliches to stop
If there is a team which needs a break more than the Pittsburgh Pirates, I would love to hear who. That's because there is no one who needs a break more desperately then them, especially after playing uninspired baseball in an 8-3 loss Sunday to the St. Louis Cardinals. It was a team which looked tired in every way and played like it, too. Sure there can be many excuses made for the loss but flat out the Pirates just need a day to get right again. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle only ... Read More
Pirates look to avoid extending skid
The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to avoid a sweep against a National League Central foe in the St. Louis Cardinals. A loss would be the 12th in 16 games. In Sunday evening's game, Jonathon Niese (6-2, 3.93 ERA) will face Mike Leake (4-4, 4.22 ERA). Niese is 4-3 with a 3.45 ERA in career starts against the Cardinals. Niese has not lost a decision since May 9, which is also the last time he allowed more than two earned runs in an appearance. In his last start, Niese bested his former ... Read More