Pittsburgh Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle has consistently given Jung Ho Kang a lineup card following each time he accomplishes a first in the major leagues. Tuesday night likely will be no different as his go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth inning gave the Pirates an 8-7 road victory over the Minnesota Twins. Earlier, Gregory Polanco had four at-bats, three of which resulted in hard-hit contact, however each were outs. In the eighth inning and the bases loaded however the script ... Read More
Pirates win series in front of sellout crowd
Up by two runs with starter Gerrit Cole out of the game, Tony Watson faced Bryce Harper with two on and two out. Harper hit a ground ball that Sean Rodriguez read off a hop and ran to the bag to record the third out. “It was one of those in-between ones," Rodriguez said. "That was basically one of those that if I get to it then there’s no play at first but I could at least keep a run from scoring. I took that chance and [Walker] said it was the right read.” The Pittsburgh Pirates took ... Read More
Resilient Pirates come back against Scherzer, Nationals
The last two nights have been quiet ones for Brent Morel, however in the bottom of the sixth inning, that changed. In what could be his final at-bat before being designated for assignment-- Aramis Ramirez is expected to be added to the roster this weekend -- Morel hit an RBI double that scored Francisco Cervelli from first base and gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a lead that they would not relinquish, and they held on to defeat the Washington Nationals by a 7-5 score on Friday night. “I was ... Read More
Pirates pregame 7/23: Liriano back; Alvarez gone?
The phrase there is no place like home may resonate for the Pittsburgh Pirates following a 1-5 road trip. The Pirates are 32-16 overall this season at PNC Park and winners of eight of their past nine home contests. Now, the Washington Nationals come to town, perhaps something which could bode well for the Pirates considering their 11-1 home record against National League East opponents at PNC Park. Coming into tonight's game, the Nationals lead the NL East by three games over the New York ... Read More
Pirates conclude road trip 1-5 after loss to Royals
In 2014 Pittsburgh Pirates fans were used to giving Edinson Volquez standing ovations. Wednesday night however, it happened at Kauffman Stadium and for the opposing Kansas City Royals following a 5-1 victory. The Pirates and Charlie Morton [6-4] were undone by a four-run seventh inning. In the inning, catcher Salvador Perez led off with a walk. It appeared as though the big inning would be avoided on the next play as Omar Infante's sacrifice bunt attempt was quickly read by Travis Ishikawa ... Read More
Pirates late miscues result in loss
A controversial call, eighth inning defensive issues and ninth inning base running cost Gerrit Cole and the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 3-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Starling Marte hit what appeared to be a home run in the second inning, however after video review the play was ruled a double. The ball hit near the top row of padding in left field and then landed in the Royals bullpen. The Root Sports broadcast clearly showed Marte surprised by the call. Manager Clint Hurdle looked for an ... Read More
Pirates lose series to Brewers
Prior to the first pitch the Pittsburgh Pirates revealed that Francisco Liriano would not start Saturday night's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. It was not the only loss of the night as the Pirates fell by an 8-5 score. Liriano was scratched from the start due to neck stiffness and as a result, Vance Worley made his first start of the season since May 14, an appearance which came against one of his former teams, the Philadelphia Phillies. Worley [3-5] allowed five runs [four earned] on ... Read More
Cole, Walker help Pirates even series with Cardinals
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole was named to the NL All-Star team on Monday, and Friday he showed why in a 5-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. The right-handed Cole [13-3 2.30 ERA] threw seven innings and recorded three strikeouts with his only blemish coming from a Matt Carpenter two-run home run in the top of the third. He is the first Pirate pitcher to win 13 games before the Mid-summer Classic since Dock Ellis in 1971. Offensively, Neil Walker was the hero of the night for the ... Read More
Pirates Locke-down Indians
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Locke pitched eight innings for the first time since April 18 and allowed his lowest hit total of the season in a 1-0 victory against the Cleveland Indians. “The two guys that went out there and did that mound work were really good today," manager Clint Hurdle said. "They both attacked the zone, and I can’t say enough about Locke’s outing today.” Locke [5-4] pitched eight innings three times in 2014, as well. In his eight innings of work he ... Read More
Pirates experience Bauer outage, Bourn identity in loss
A 38-pitch second inning proved to be part of Charlie Morton's undoing as the Pittsburgh Pirates fell 5-2 to the Cleveland Indians Friday night. The loss snaps a seven game winning streak in Interleague play. Morton [6-2] lost his first home start of the season although he settled down after the second inning. “I think overall my stuff was pretty good tonight it was just inconsistent," Morton said. "The pitch I threw to [Brandon] Moss it was off the plate but he got extended, it stayed ... Read More