Garrett Jones made the most of his first start at first base in a while with a 3-for-4 night with a homer and 4 RBI's and Francisco Liriano continued his dominance of the Cardinals as the Pirates pull back into a tie with St. Louis for first place in the NL Central with a 5 - 0 victory on Friday night. For Jones, it was a breath of fresh air after a few days off. Jones was batting .119 with 2 home runs and 4 RBI before tonight and was given time off to mentally recharge the batteries. That ... Read More
Pirates Game Day: Hurdle Talks Cutch, Cardinals Series
The Pirates (77 -56) look to get back into a tie for first place in the NL Central as they take on the Cardinals (78 - 55) to start a 3-game series tonight. Francisco Liriano (14 - 6, 2.74 ERA) will face Shelby Miller (12 - 8, 2.90 ERA). Leading Off Rob Biertempfel of the Trib is reporting that Casey Sadler, promoted to Class AAA Indy today, will start in Kris Johnson's place tonight. This means Johnson could be the spot-starter on Sunday in the series finale against the Cardinals. Hurdle's ... Read More
The Re-Emergence of Marlon Byrd
At this time last year, Marlon Byrd was a free agent sitting at home serving a 50-game suspension for a positive drug test and wondering if any team would pick him up. Before the suspension, Byrd was hitting .210 with one homer and seven RBI which didn't help his chances for 2013. One team would take the chance on him as the New York Mets picked him up on February 1 of this year and he wouldn't let them down as he turned back into the player that helped pace the Texas Rangers to three second ... Read More
Russell Martin is the Pirates’ MVP
In recent time, the title "Most Valuable Player" has been associated with perhaps the most talented and most dominant player in any given league. From LeBron James to Adrian Peterson, the title league MVP is associated with a player that puts up astonishing statistical numbers and dominates their opponents while doing it. But there is a difference when thinking about a league MVP compared to and individual team's MVP. The 2013 edition of the Pittsburgh Pirates are a prime example of ... Read More
Pirates Game Day: Hurdle Discusses Cole, Marte Update
The Pirates (77 - 55) look to get back into a tie for first as they face the Brewers (58 - 74) in the rubber match of the three game set. Gerrit Cole (6 - 6, 3.81 ERA) will oppose Yovani Gallardo (9 - 9, 4.61 ERA). Leading off John Buck will make his Pirates debut tonight as he will catch Cole and bat seventh. Hurdle's Quotes On the amount of players that will be brought up post-Sept. 1st -- "I think we're going to have a progression in place that we're going to have some guys added on ... Read More
Morton Strong In A Pirates 7 – 1 Victory
Charlie Morton continues to improve from Tommy John surgery as he threw 6 2/3 innings of one run (unearned) ball while Marlon Byrd hit a homer in his fourth at-bat as a Pirate in a 7 - 1 Bucco victory on Wednesday night. Morton experienced some trouble out of the gate, much like Locke did last night, as he allowed three base runners in the first. The outcome would be different, though, as he would get a fielders choice, caught stealing and a groundout to get out of the jam. From there, he ... Read More
Vic Black the PTBNL in Mets Trade, Locke/Sanchez Optioned to AA
A couple of moves have been made by the Pirates prior to tonight's game against the Brewers. They have optioned (C) Tony Sanchez and (LHP) Jeff Locke to AA Altoona to make room for Marlon Byrd and John Buck on the 25-man roster. “This move allows us to give Jeff Locke a short break,” said Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington. “It also allows Tony Sanchez to get back to the Major Leagues as soon as the rules permit us to do so. In addition, this gives us the opportunity to ... Read More
Pirates Game Day: Grilli Talks Rehab, Locke Optioned to AA
The Pirates (76 - 55) look to bounce back after last nights disappointing loss to the Brewers (58 - 73) in game two of this 3-game set. Charlie Morton (5 - 3, 3.42 ERA) will oppose former Pirate, Tom Gorzelanny (3 - 5, 3.60 ERA) Leading Off Marlon Byrd will make his first start as a Pirate tonight as he will bat in the cleanup spot and play right field. John Buck will be available off of the bench. To make room for these two on the 25-man roster, Tony Sanchez and Jeff Locke have been sent to ... Read More
The Pennant Stretch Begins
With 40 games remaining, Pirate fans have something to look forward to other than who they will sign in the offseason. They have a chance to watch their team lock up a playoff spot and possibly a division title. If the Bucs can take this afternoon's contest against Arizona, they would be in great position for, at least, a wild card birth, but this isn't a team that is looking for just a postseason birth, this is a team that is currently three games clear of the Cardinals for the NL Central ... Read More
When we were kids: The journey to the big leagues
When you look at the success the 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates have had, you might think about the veteran presence that is in the clubhouse. I mean, that is why Manager Clint Hurdle had Brandon Inge stick around all of the time, isn't it? Ingle excluded, the veterans haven't just had their presence felt in the clubhouse, but also on the field of play. Guys like A.J. Burnett, Francisco Liriano, Jason Grilli, Andrew McCutchen and even guys like Pedro Alvarez and Mark Melancon have all contributed ... Read More