Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Neftali Feliz was in a jam when he allowed the first two Cincinnati Reds to reach base with Billy Hamilton at the plate. Hamilton hit a ball on a short hop that Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang quickly fielded. He got the out at third base and threw to Josh Harrison to get the out at second base. Kang did not have any chance to react until the 88 mph hit bounced into his glove but he quickly formulated a game plan. "I was thinking of throwing the ball ... Read More
Column: Something needs to change for Pirates — and fast
What do the Milwaukee Brewers and the Atlanta Braves have in common? This isn't a trick question, and there isn't punchline — unless you consider the Pittsburgh Pirates (53-53) one for losing to both during this road trip, a fact secured with the team's 5-2 loss Thursday night to the Braves. It's a shame because Ryan Vogelsong pitched his heart out. The fact that Vogelsong even was on a Major League mound is beyond commendable. In late May, while in the batter's box, Vogelsong was hit ... Read More
Base-running gaffes cost Pirates in 5-3 loss to Brewers
When five consecutive batters reached base in the fourth inning, it seemed like Saturday night's game could be big for the Pittsburgh Pirates (52-50). But the opportunity was squandered, and only one baserunner scored. As such, manager Clint Hurdle couldn't even force a smile in a 5-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers (46-56). Even the play where the run scored, a Jung Ho Kang single, didn't have the desired impact as Starling Marte was thrown out at third base. This came after Marte was also ... Read More
MLB Trade Rumors: What should Pirates do at trade deadline?
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
Column: Pirates put together a true complete game
Normally when a complete game is thrown, this emphasis and honor is thrown on a pitcher. but on this particular Wednesday night, there was more to it than the effort Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole put forth. That is not to say Cole should not be commended for his efforts on this night, because he should, but he was certainly the beneficiary of some good offense and defense in a 10-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners. After all, in this day and age where pitch counts, ... Read More
Liriano has short night in Pirates’ 7-4 loss to Mariners
Francisco Liriano didn't have his best stuff Tuesday night. Even despite a second inning solo home run from the Pittsburgh Pirates' (51-48) starting pitcher that gave his team a 4-1 lead, the veteran couldn't secure a win. And, instead, Liriano's outing tied for his shortest ever in the Pirates' 7-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners (51-48). Liriano lasted only 3.1 innings, giving up eight hits and all seven runs, elevating his ERA from 4.96 to 5.38. From the beginning, Liriano showed signs ... Read More
Column: Three strikes eliminate Pirates chances of win
Baseball is a game where several elements can change the outcome of a game at any time. Saturday was one of those cases where the Pittsburgh Pirates did not do much right falling 6-0 to the Washington Nationals. This series loss is the first since June 20-23 against the San Francisco Giants and it was poor play all around which cost the Pirates. Strike one: Indifferent fielding/base running The image I will take from this game came in the fourth inning. By that point, this game had ... Read More
Rodriguez uses bat, glove to secure series win for Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates closer Mark Melancon came in for the ninth inning to close out the latest come-from-behind game, this time over the St. Louis Cardinals — and, at Busch Stadium, something made him feel at home: his typical entrance music, AC/DC's “Thunderstruck.” What followed was a scoreless inning (extending his shutout streak to 20.1 innings), good for Melancon's 26th save of the season and for a 7-5 Pittsburgh win. The Pirates have made a habit of coming back late. Tuesday, they ... Read More
Jung Ho Kang under investigation for alleged sexual assault
Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang is under investigation by Chicago police in connection with a sexual assault that allegedly took place in mid-June. In a statement, Pirates' president Frank Coonelly said: “We have been made aware of the allegation that has been made against Jung Ho Kang. We take allegations of this type extremely seriously. Pursuant to the Joint MLB/MLBPA Policy on such matters, this matter is exclusively before the Commissioner's Office at this time. We have ... Read More
Pirates can’t hold on to five-run lead, lose 7-6 to Giants
The Pittsburgh Pirates had a five-run lead in Wednesday's game, but they were unable to keep it, falling 7-6 to the San Francisco Giants. This loss hurts. A lot. The Pirates had no reason losing this game, but they did. It appeared things were looking up for the struggling Pirates offense when first baseman John Jaso led off the bottom of the first inning with a first-pitch home run off San Francisco starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija. The power became contagious for the Pirates, as Gregory ... Read More