ATLANTA - The Bucs lost their second straight game, and dropped their second consecutive series in Atlanta tonight by the score of 5-4. Jeff Locke was on the hill for the Pirates and didn't have his best stuff. He allowed three runs through 5.2 innings. He was pulled after 103 pitches for recently called up Ryan Reid who blew the lead almost instantly. Reid allowed a two-run homer to B.J. Upton in the bottom of the sixth which tied the game up at 4-4. Tony Watson and Jason Grilli each ... Read More
Going on the defensive
We hear it all of the time. It doesn't just occur with baseball players, but athletes in every sport. When they first arrive to their respective league, the fans and media want to judge them right away. While it's no secret that Pedro Alvarez and Garrett Jones can both hit the long ball with the best of them - Jones' mammoth shot into the river on Sunday can attest to that - we don't necessarily think of them as being the best fielders in the world. When talking with Tim Williams from Pirates ... Read More
“We Are Baseball Nuts From Germany” – 30 Stadiums in Three Months
As much as hockey means to Canada, that's what baseball means to America. It is, after all America's sport. Baseball is popular all over the world, though. An event like the World Baseball Classic helps elevate baseball's status globally. Countries like Japan, Dominican Republic and Cuba are hotbeds for baseball talent. One country that isn't usually associated with baseball is Germany. Their national sport is football and its top league is known as Bundesliga. Germany also has a baseball ... Read More
Locke-d and loaded
Each year, there seems to be that one player that breaks out from behind that shadows and takes the city, and league, by storm. Last year for the Pirates, that guy was James McDonald. Now, we of course know the story with McDonald. He came over in the Octavio Dotel trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Last year was the year that J-Mac became a household name, at least for the first half of the season. McDonald was considered an All-Star snub and in the running for the Cy Young Award before the ... Read More
Locke, homers carry Pirates to victory
MILWAUKEE -- The Locke Ness Monster was at it again. As with his mythical lake-dwelling namesake, people don't know whether Jeff Locke is for real or just a fascinating apparition. What they do know is that the left-hander's legend continued to grow on Saturday, when he threw six innings of three-hit shutout ball against the dreaded Brewers in the Pirates' 5-2 win. The Pirates had a splashing-good time in Miller Park. When the Locke Ness Monster was back in dry dock, the Shark Tank took ... Read More
Pirates Can’t Solve the House of Horrors; Lose 2-1 to Brewers
If the Milwaukee Brewers could pick one opponent to play for an entire season, it likely would be the Pittsburgh Pirates considering the latter’s lack of success at Miller Park. The latest example came in this game, a 2-1 loss to the Brewers. Following a rocky second inning, A.J. Burnett settled in retiring 10 straight Brewers hitters. Burnett would last seven innings allowing two runs and striking out six batters while using 99 pitches. The hiccups came in the second inning when Burnett ... Read More
Pirates sweep Cubs to go to 11 over .500
Remember last offseason when Pirates fans started the hashtag, #EJaxtoBucs on Twitter? Pirates fans made it their mission to get Edwin Jackson in black and yellow. Jackson instead opted to sign with the Washington Nationals and signed a huge deal with the Chicago Cubs in the offseason. If Pirates fans could, they would probably take away the day that hashtag was born as Jackson has been horrible. Jackson entered play with a 1-6 record and a 5.76 ERA. While the Pirates have a history of making ... Read More
Smelling blood in the Shark Tank
Much criticism has been given to the job that General Manager Neal Huntington has done with the Pirates since he took the position. A lot of it has been warranted, but one thing that you can't criticize Huntington for is the job that he has done with building the bullpen. The Pirates 'pen, or the aptly nicknamed Shark Tank, has been dominate once again this season. Much of the success can be directed towards Huntington and the moves he has made over the past few seasons. Let's take a look, ... Read More
The Pittsburgh Kid is Just Another Second Baseman
About 20 minutes before each game at PNC Park, the scoreboard rolls the player introductions. During the Saturday Night Live themed entrances, it's no surprise that Andrew McCutchen receives the biggest pop from the fans. It's only fitting that the first player since Barry Bonds, who was showered with "MVP, MVP" chants last year, would be the fan favorite. There is, however, one player that comes close in rivaling McCutchen for the title of most popular Pirate. No, it isn't A.J. Burnett, ... Read More
Travis Snider is hitting his stride
When Travis Snider was quickly making his way through the minor leagues, scouts raved about his raw power. One of the more known scouting reports said he was “dripping with power.” Yet, in the Major Leagues, he has yet to produce the long ball. But that might be starting to change. Snider was drafted out of high school by the Blue Jays. He hit double digit home runs in his first two minor league seasons. Then in 2008, he crushed 23 home runs between high A, AA, and AAA. This led to his major ... Read More