Tony Watson's struggles continued Sunday afternoon and his two runs allowed in the eighth inning cost the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The runs came from a familiar source in Albert Pujols' bat. Pujols tormented Pirates fans for years with his power and with this homer, he now has 30 for his career at PNC Park. Watson (1-2) has been known as one of the best and consistent set-up men in baseball but has now given up at least one run in his last ... Read More
Pirates overcome Angels’ rally
The Pittsburgh Pirates appeared to have run away from the Los Angeles Angels after a five-run seventh inning, but the visitors plated four right after, and it was game on once again. Despite this comeback, the Pirates came away with an 8-7 victory Saturday night. Jeff Locke (5-3) helped the Pirates end a four-game losing streak, pitching seven innings and allowing no walks for the second consecutive start. The Angels struck first for the second game in a row as Kole Calhoun hit a home ... Read More
Pirates’ losing streak continues with loss to Angels
A return to PNC Park didn't help the Pittsburgh Pirates, as they lost 9-2 to the Los Angeles Angels. The loss is the Pirates' fourth-straight and fifth in the past six games. Once again, Francisco Liriano (4-5) struggled with command and location. The end result was an early exit — he lasted a season-low 3.1 innings after allowing seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits. The Angels wasted no time setting the tone in the game, as Mike Trout and Johnny Giavotella each had RBI singles in a ... Read More
Pirates’ pitcher Jonathon Niese continues good form in win
With Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jonathon Niese throwing well lately, people wondered whether his good form could continue at the Texas Rangers' hitter-friendly Globe Life Park. On Friday night, the answer was a resounding "yes," as Niese (5-2) allowed just one run on seven hits in six innings of work and helped the Pirates resoundingly beat the Rangers, 9-1. Lately, Niese has been able to get ground ball outs with more regularity, and this was once again the case Friday — he had 10 ground ... Read More
Bizarre ninth seals Pirates loss
It appeared that the ninth inning would be a quick one with Pittsburgh Pirates closer Mark Melancon on the mound. He threw the first five pitches for strikes and struck out Mark Reynolds and Carlos Gonzalez looking then Gerardo Parra came up. Parra hit a swinging bunt with two strikes on him that barely stayed in fair territory and gave Francisco Cervelli a seemingly automatic throw to first to keep the game tied heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. Instead, his fifth error of the ... Read More
Cole, Kang shine in Pirates win
It was just less than two weeks ago that Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole had a start against the Chicago Cubs in which he did not get out of the fifth inning. The Pirates needed him to come through in a big way in order to avoid a sweep. This task became harder when Jon Lester was matching him pitch for pitch, but Cole was not going to let up. His eight-inning performance was one of the main keys to a 2-1 victory. Cole (4-3) had not thrown more than six innings this season, and ... Read More
Pirates earn split in Cincinnati
Wednesday was supposed to be Josh Harrison's day off, but a Starling Marte ejection quickly changed things. Marte was ejected along with manager Clint Hurdle when a call was reversed by replay in the sixth inning. Marte was ruled out at second base on a stolen base attempt as a result. Harrison turned around and hit one of four Pittsburgh Pirates home runs on the game in a 5-4 victory against the Cincinnati Reds. This Pirates win puts the team at 18-15 on the season while earning a ... Read More
Jung Ho Kang returns to Pirates in big way
With the approach the Pittsburgh Pirates have taken this season, swinging at the first pitch is often frowned upon. Jung Ho Kang, in his 2016 debut, apparently didn't get the memo Friday night in a 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Kang, in his first game back from left knee surgery, swung at the first two pitches he saw, which resulted in a double play and a pop-out. His approach seemed to be unsuccessful. That is, until Cardinals' pitcher Tyler Lyons threw a sixth-inning pitch to ... Read More
What Kang’s return means for the Pirates
This afternoon, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced that they have have recalled infielder Jung Ho Kang from his Triple-A rehab stint in Indianapolis and have reinstated him from the 15-day disabled list. To make room for Kang on the active roster, the Pirates sent infielder Jason Rogers to Indianapolis. On Sept. 17, Kang injured his left knee on a slide from Chicago Cubs outfielder Chris Coghlan. Kang missed the remainder of the season, as well as the National League Wild Card game, and ... Read More
Pirates Kang showed no signs of rust in Triple-A debut
Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang began his rehab assignment last night in Indianapolis. In joining the Triple-A Indians, Kang will look to fully return from the traumatic leg injury suffered in September of last season. In his first non-simulated game action since that fateful slide from Cubs outfielder Chris Coghlan ended his debut season, Kang went 0-for-3, contributing with a walk and run scored. Scheduled to play seven innings regardless of game situation or performance, ... Read More