The Pittsburgh Pirates have been quiet for the first couple days of the annual Winter Meetings. That is until Wednesday rolled around. Pirates’ general manager Neal Huntington made his first major move of the offseason when he shipped second baseman Neil Walker to the New York Mets in exchange for left-handed starting pitcher Jon Niese. The deal is pending a medical review, but all signs point to it being a one-for-one deal. Walker, a former first-round pick and local product was ... Read More
Pirates will embark on crucial stretch Friday
For teams competing for the playoffs, every series is important. When the series is against a team first in their respective division, the stakes get higher. But for the Pittsburgh Pirates who have three straight series coming up against divisional leaders, the stretch could be a make or break one. Starting Friday, they have consecutive three game sets against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets – all currently in first place of their division. The ... Read More
Vic Black the PTBNL in Mets Trade, Locke/Sanchez Optioned to AA
A couple of moves have been made by the Pirates prior to tonight's game against the Brewers. They have optioned (C) Tony Sanchez and (LHP) Jeff Locke to AA Altoona to make room for Marlon Byrd and John Buck on the 25-man roster. “This move allows us to give Jeff Locke a short break,” said Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington. “It also allows Tony Sanchez to get back to the Major Leagues as soon as the rules permit us to do so. In addition, this gives us the opportunity to ... Read More
Gee Continues Dominance of Pirates, Mets Win 4 – 2
PNC Park – Dillon Gee continued his dominance over the Pirates as he went 6 2/3 innings of one run ball (unearned) as the Mets avoided a sweep of the Pirates by the score of 4 - 2. Gee had a 2 – 0 record with a 1.73 ERA in 26 innings (4 starts) coming into today’s game against the Pirates while striking out 19 and walking six. It was more of the same on Sunday as he went 6 2/3 innings while holding the Pirates to five hits while striking out two. The Mets did their damage in the first off ... Read More
Pedro Homers, Mercer Walks Off Mets 3 – 2
PNC Park – Jordy Mercer halted his mini-slump in grand fashion as he singled up the middle in the eleventh inning to walk-off the Mets 3 – 2 on Friday night. It was the first hit with runners in scoring position in three attempts in extra frames as the Pirates had the bases loaded in the ninth and first and second in the tenth. “You always want to be that guy -- you always want to get the game winning hit and you want to score the game winning run,” said Mercer. “You go through your ... Read More
Bucco Gameday: Hurdle Talks Derby, Walker
PNC Park -- The Pirates (54 – 36), fresh off of a 5 – 0 victory against Oakland on Wednesday, are back at PNC to finish the first half off against the Mets (40 – 48) in the first of three starting tonight. Charlie Morton (1 – 2, 3.38 ERA) will face Jeremy Hefner (4 – 6, 3.39 ERA). Leading Off -- Pedro Alvarez will now be participating in Mondays All-Star Home Run Derby (8pm, ESPN) due to Carlos Gonzalez pulling out due to a finger injury. He is unsure on who will be throwing to him ... Read More
Pirates beat phenom Harvey to take series over Mets
NEW YORK -- The Pirates were introduced to the latest New York City pitching phenom Sunday afternoon. From 60 feet, six inches, they shook hands with Matt Harvey and proceeded to treat him as if he were a degree or two short of phenomenal. They bruised him but didn't beat him. Instead, they scored once against the Mets' bullpen in the eighth inning and won, 3-2. The victory, the Bucs' third in four games here, put their record five games over .500 for the third time this season. A two-out ... Read More
Pirates bats come to life in win over Mets
NEW YORK -- The Pirates followed a vexing loss in the opener at Citi Field with a blueprint 7-3 victory against the Mets on Friday night. Left-hander Wandy Rodriguez disposed with the Mets' lukewarm batting order for six innings, and cleanup man Garrett Jones started one three-run rally with a double and ended another with a replay-reviewed three-run home run. The result was the Bucs' second victory in six games. The victory could have been more easily achieved, but Jose Contreras allowed ... Read More