Pedro Alvarez hit two home runs to lead a powerful Pirates attack to a 10-2 victory over Milwaukee on Saturday night at Miller Park. Alvarez --who had gone 42 days since his last home run -- turned the tides in the Pirates favor in the fourth inning. With two outs and the visitors trailing 2-0, Neil Walker walked and Russell Martin doubled for the Bucs first hit of the game off of Brewers starter Wily Peralta. Alvarez then followed with an opposite-field home run to put the Pirates ahead ... Read More
Braves get to Worley early in Pirates 7-3 defeat
The Braves scored six times in the first inning off of Vance Worley as they cruised past the Pirates 7-3 on Monday night. Worley experienced pitch issues at the start allowing lead-off back-to-back home runs from Jason Heyward and Andrelton Simmons. Worley then allowed a walk and three singles to put the Braves quickly up 4-0. The Braves (65-60) added two more in the inning when Neil Walker threw wide of first base on an inning-ending double play attempt. "The first inning, my pitches ... Read More
How will the Pirates fare without their “big three”?
Andrew McCutchen will be out for at least this homestand with an " avulsion fracture involving the costochondral cartilage of the left 11th rib", Neil Walker is out of the lineup with back problems and Gerrit Cole is making another rehab start in the minors. These injuries come at the most inopportune time as the Pirates are only 2 1/2 games out of first in the NL Central and 1 1/2 games out of the NL wild card thanks, in part, to the continued stellar play of these three. In 109 games played ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 8/6: Cole Update, Hurdle discusses playing with 23
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (59-53) look to bounce back from last night's late inning loss to the Marlins (55-57) in the second game of a three-game set. Jeff Locke (2-3, 3.77 ERA) will oppose Tom Koehler (7-8, 3.70 ERA). Injury Update Neil Walker is not in today's lineup after leaving last night's game with a stiff back. "Based on the way he responded last night, there was some tightening up," said manager Clint Hurdle. ":We thought we would give him another full day of ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 7/2: Liriano Update, Walker Discusses Walkoffs
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (43-40) look to build off of last night's improbable come-from-behind victory against the Mets in the second game of the three-game set. Charlie Morton (4-9, 3.41 ERA) will take on Chase Anderson (5-3, 3.63 ERA). Francisco Liriano threw a sim game (1 IP behind L-Screen, 3 IP w/o screen) prior to batting practice today. "I saw three of the innings that he pitched," said Clint Hurdle. "He's thrown all of his pitches. Working out of the windup ... Read More
Walker Activated from DL, Tabata DFA’d
The Pirates have activated 2B Neil Walker from the 15-day DL (appendicitis). To make room on the active roster, the team has outrighted Jose Tabata to Triple-A Indianapolis. Prior to his injury, Walker was on track for a career year batting .280/.452/.805 with eight doubles, 11 home runs and 35 RBI in 62 games. He currently sits in second in NL All Star voting for second basemen (1,328,959) behind Chase Utley (2,090,110). Tabata started the season off of the bench and took over in right ... Read More
Neil Walker to the 15-Day DL
Neil Walker has been placed on the 15-Day DL after undergoing an appendectomy on Monday afternoon. Prior to the surgery, Walker had been hitting .280/.452/.805 in 62 games with the Pirates while hitting eight doubles, 11 home runs and 35 RBI. Josh Harrison, Jordy Mercer and Clint Barmes are candidates to fill Walker's spot until he is able to return. Walker is expected to be out at least three weeks to a month for recovery. Stay tuned to PSN for updates on Walker's condition and ... Read More
Cole Solid, Homers Propel Bucs Past Padres 4-1
Gerrit Cole went 5 2/3 innings of four-hit ball and Pedro Alvarez and Neil Walker provided long-balls as the Pirates (28-30) defeated the Padres (26-33) 4-1 on Tuesday night. Cole allowed a single hit -- a two out double by Will Venable in the second inning -- through 5 2/3 innings before getting into a bit of trouble. Chase Headley, Seth Smith and Yonder Alonso all singled to bring across the Padres only run knocking Cole from the game. Jared Hughes then came in and got a nice backhand play ... Read More
Pirates Drop Another Morton Start 4-3
Charlie Morton continues to search for his first win of the season despite having a 3.45 ERA as the Pirates (17-25) fell to the Yankees (23-19) 4-3 in the first game of a Sunday doubleheader. Morton gave up another big inning -- sixth start out of nine that he has done that -- in the bottom of the first when the Yankees loaded the bases with no out. Mark Teixeira then singled in two runs and Brian McCann singled in another to make it 3-1. The barrage followed a Neil Walker solo home run -- his ... Read More
Walker Homer Propels Pirates Past Cardinals
Neil Walker sent a 2-2 pitch by Carlos Martinez into the Clemente seats to help the Pirates (15-20) get past the Cardinals (18-18) 6-4 in the first game of a weekend three-game set. Walker finished off the three-run rally started by a Jordy Mercer single -- who finished 3-for-4 on the night with a double and run scored -- and a Gaby Sanchez pinch-hit single. After Jose Tabata bunted the two into scoring position, Walker provided the big blow a pitch after he nearly connected, but hit foul. "It ... Read More