On the menu for the Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday afternoon in Detroit: their ninth sweep of the season, which they earned with an 8-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers. It was the first sweep ever for the Pirates in Detroit. The Pirates totaled 64 base runners and 49 hits in three games against the Tigers, which is a season high. According to the Elias Sports Bureau the Pirates most recently had 49 hits in a three game series against the Chicago Cubs from Aug. 28-30 2006. They also are ... Read More
Pirates offense overwhelms Tigers
Fans at Comerica Park were treated to a hit parade as the Pittsburgh Pirates put together 15 hits on Detroit Tigers starter Alfredo Simon and had 21 on the night in a 9-3 victory. This was the first 21-hit game for the Pirates since May 13, 2004, a road game against the Colorado Rockies. The 15 hits off Simon [7-5] are the most off a single pitcher for the Pirates since Apr. 17, 1974. The 15 hits also are the most given up by a Tigers starter since Scott Sanders gave up 16 in 1998. “We ... Read More
Pirates pregame 7/1: Martinez blasts Bucs; a look back at June
It was another extra inning game last night for the Pittsburgh Pirates and this one lasted 5.5 hours. In the end the Pirates defeated the Detroit Tigers 5-4 in 14 innings. Neil Walker's RBI double ended up being the game-winning hit as it brought Josh Harrison home from second base. In tonight's game A.J. Burnett will face Alfredo Simon. Burnett is making his 16th start of the season and his 6-3 earned a no-decision in his last start after allowing two runs [one earned] in six innings ... Read More
Pirates’ Guerra gets first win in 14th inning
The Pittsburgh Pirates are now 3-0 on the road in Interleague play this season however, it took way longer than they bargained for. A Neil Walker double in the 14th inning proved to be the game-winning run as Josh Harrison scored from second base to give the Pirates a 5-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers. “ [Tom] Gorzelanny’s throwing sinkers and living on the outer half and I was just trying to fight him and drive the ball," Walker said. "Fortunately he left a pitch up in the zone.” The ... Read More
Cole recovers from two-run first in Pirates win
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle called "uncle" to reporters pregame when describing his admiration for what the San Francisco Giants have done in recent seasons. In Monday night's game however, the Pirates did anything but, winning a 4-3 contest at AT&T Park. The Pirates could have panicked when Andrew McCutchen's two sacrifice flies were caught by Angel Pagan and Hunter Pence in above average defensive plays, however instead viewed both as two runs which undid a two-run first ... Read More
Pirates score season high in victory
For the vast majority of his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, fans complained that A.J. Burnett did not receive run support. That was not the case against the San Diego Padres as the Pirates gave their starting pitcher the most runs in a game he pitched since July 8, 2012 in an 11-5 victory over the San Diego Padres. The 11 runs were a season-best and the most the team has scored since August 11 against the Detroit Tigers. The Pirates scored in each of the first four innings with home ... Read More
Pirates use two out offense in series win
The Pittsburgh Pirates scored all of its runs with two outs in the inning and earned a second consecutive series victory with its 5-1 victory over the Miami Marlins. “We always love it, we’ve definitely had our share," manager Clint Hurdle said of the two out hitting. "They hurt when you’re in the dugout and you feel it. It comes down to putting away innings and Locke didn’t give up one tonight. At the end of the night they left 10 runners on base so they had their opportunities to do the ... Read More
Down on the farm: Hanson gives Pirates flexibility at middle infield
During the Pittsburgh Pirates 20-year losing streak, having too much talent at one position was one of the few problems the Bucs ever had to deal with. However, a cluttered middle infield in the majors and upper minors could lead to that very problem. But it’s a good problem to have. Here is what we do know. Josh Harrison is entrenched at third base for the long term. In the off-season, the 27-year-old signed a four-year extension with the club, with team options for the 2019 and 2020 ... Read More
Pirates waste scoring opportunities in loss
The Pittsburgh Pirates were hoping for its first comeback from being seven runs down against the same Minnesota Twins ball club they accomplished the feat against on June 10, 2001. The Pirates ultimately came up short, however, losing 8-5. The Pirates outhit the Twins 13-8 but stranded 10 base runners to the Twins three. “We’ve got more guts than good right now," manager Clint Hurdle said. "We battle and we’re going to fight you unfortunately it’s our own hands that we’re digging some of ... Read More
Pirates pregame 5/19: Marte buys into cleanup role
The Pittsburgh Pirates begin their second Interleague series and third homestand of the 2015 season tonight against the Minnesota Twins. The Pirates ended a four game losing streak on Sunday with its 3-0 victory against the Chicago Cubs. Now after a day off, they start an eight-game homestand. This is the third time the Pirates have played the Twins at home since the opening of PNC Park. The Pirates won two of three games when the teams met June 19-21 in 2012. The Pirates lost two of ... Read More