Oh how the storylines were in abundance Saturday night in PNC Park. Former Pirates starter, Paul Maholm, returned to Pittsburgh as one of the best pitchers in baseball this year. No, really. Maholm sported a record of 3-0 and had yet to give up a run. Then you have Mr. Jekyll and Hyde (on the field that is) in James McDonald for the Pirates. In some instances, he looks brilliant, but at other times, he's a disaster. "There's two guys. There's the guy that everyone wants to play behind," ... Read More
Pirates have a solid one-two punch with Burnett and Rodriguez
Over the past two seasons, the Pirates have made some moves to bolster their starting rotation. Before last season started, they acquired A.J. Burnett from the New York Yankees. Then half way through last season, they picked up Wandy Rodriguez from the Houston Astros. So far this season, those two have combined to be one of the best one-two punches in all of baseball. A.J. Burnett has a phenomenal season last year as he went 16-10 with a 3.51 earned run average. So far this season he has ... Read More
Martin’s start at third isn’t foreign territory
The Pirates knew that they were getting a sure-handed catcher when they signed Russell Martin to a two-year deal in the offseason. While Martin has done a great job on the receiving end of a relatively shaky pitching staff, his defensive prowess stretches past the catcher position. Martin will get the start tonight at third base, which is a position that Martin said he has a lot of experience at. "It’s [confidence] pretty high. Fielding ground balls and making throws across the diamond, it’s ... Read More
Wandy’s marvelous in return; Pirates face minimum 27 in 6-0 over Braves
PITTSBURGH -- Pitching on a healthy left hamstring, Wandy Rodriguez hamstrung the Atlanta Braves. Jumping back into the fray after having to skip one turn due to a strain of his left hamstring muscle, Rodriguez utterly silenced the team with the Majors' best record and most home runs, holding them to one hit through seven innings of the Pirates' 6-0 victory at PNC Park. In becoming the second Pirates starter in three days to hurl seven innings of one-hit ball -- allowing only a ... Read More
Marte’s living up to his potential
For years now Starling Marte has been seen as the best Pirates’s prospect. His potential is through the roof, and now he is finally showcasing his skill at the Major League level. Last season there was much speculation that he was possible trade bait and could be shipped off for a proven talent such as Justin Upton. Luckily, that wasn’t the case and he stayed right here where he belonged. Marte was signed out of the Dominican Republic by the Pirates in 2007, and up until 2010 he never ... Read More
Reds can’t capitalize as Pirates take game two of three-game set
It wasn't that the Pirates outplayed the Reds on Saturday night. Actually, it was anything but. If you watched the game, the Pirates were outplayed in every facet. Fortunately for the Pirates and the fans, the Pirates were able to win the only category that mattered in a 2-1 victory. Looking at the match up, it wasn't in the Pirates favor as they entered PNC Park. Johnny Cueto, one of the top pitchers in baseball, was going for the Reds. Jeff Locke, a mystery at this point, was taking the ... Read More
Baseball is his love, but Russell Martin is no stranger to hockey
Baseball is known as America's pastime. The game was the most popular sport in America in the 19th and 20th century. Regardless of football's popularity in our country today, America will always be represented by baseball. As you may have heard, in the Great White North of Canada, hockey rules all. Hockey has caught on in a big way in the United States, while baseball has made its mark on Canada as well. The Pirates new catcher, Russell Martin, is one of many Canadians that enjoy both. Growing ... Read More
Pirates unable to sweep D’backs, lose 10-2
Tom Singer - Sometimes you're the broom, and sometimes you're the mess. The Pirates had no trouble deciding which they were on Wednesday, when they entered Chase Field hoping to sweep the D-backs and instead were whisked out of town. With Jonathan Sanchez looking nothing like the left-hander who impressed in Spring Training and in his first start of the season, the Bucs took a 10-2 series-ending loss on the chin. The haymakers were delivered by A.J. Pollock, who drove in four with a ... Read More
Wandy paces Pirates over Cubs
For the second consecutive game, the fans who braved the frigid temperatures of PNC Park were rewarded with an excellent pitching performance by the Pittsburgh Pirates. While A.J. Burnett wasn't able to receive any run support for his 10-strikeout performance, the Pirates were able to scrape together three runs to give Wandy Rodriguez and the Pirates their first win of the year. "It was great to get it out of the way," Catcher Russell Martin said. "Now it's on to tomorrow's game." Prior to ... Read More
Pirates Notebok: New Look Lineup; Backend of the Pen Set
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- When Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle put together his Opening Day lineup for Monday's game against the Chicago Cubs, there were several interesting placements regarding the order. Garrett Jones was hitting in the two spot, where he spent the final two Grapefruit League games, as well as in the exhibition game on Saturday against the Double-A Altoona Curve. Also, Pedro Alvarez batting cleanup, a spot Pittsburgh has envisioned him hitting in since they drafted him in the first ... Read More