Scoring four or more runs is normally a winning recipe for the Pittsburgh Pirates as the team entered play 69-13 when accomplishing this, however the Chicago Cubs were able to overcome this for a 9-6 victory Sunday afternoon. “If you come on the short end you want other teams to beat you," manager Clint Hurdle said. "We continued to get in our way. We didn’t play a very good game and we’ve been outplayed these past three games.” The game's result also was coupled with a left knee injury ... Read More
Pirates battle against Arrieta, but lose to Cubs in extas
Anthony Rizzo's 12th-inning sacrifice fly was enough to lift the Chicago Cubs past the Pittsburgh Pirates by a 3-2 score Wednesday night. Cubs ace Jake Arrieta was attempting to become the first Cubs pitcher since Jon Lieber in 2001 to record 20 wins. He has thrown 17 straight quality starts and has thrown at least eight innings in his last four starts. His eight-game winning streak, however, was snapped as he had a no-decision. Pirates starter A.J. Burnett went 5.1 innings and escaped ... Read More
Bucs come back to beat Brewers in extras
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle had a speaking engagement for 6:30 and dinner with his family two hours later. Both were in jeopardy. With Sunday afternoon's game in the 11th inning and runners on the corners with one out, the defense shifted into double play depth. “You’re gambling," Hurdle said. "You’ve got the game on the line.” The result was an inning-ending double play and Jared Hughes, pumped his fist from the mound after the play unfolded. “When the ball goes off the ... Read More
Pirates pregame: Marte provides update, Hurdle remembers 9/11
The Pittsburgh Pirates will look to avoid an eighth consecutive loss against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday night. Thursday, the Pirates fell 6-4 in 13 innings. A.J. Burnett made his return to action for the first time since July. He earned a no-decision after allowing three runs in five innings. Burnett allowed all three of his runs in the first inning, increasing his second-half ERA to 11.12. By the end of his start it was down to 9.00. The loss also ended a 19-game winning streak for the ... Read More
Pirates offense quiet in 4-1 loss to Cardinals
The Pittsburgh Pirates saw its chances for a sweep end Saturday afternoon with a 4-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Charlie Morton [8-7] saw all of his damage come in a second inning at-bat against Stephen Piscotty. Piscotty singled on the play and Josh Harrison was given a throwing error. The combination of the two things allowed for two runs to score. Morton was charged with one earned run as a result of this sequence. Jaime Garcia [8-4] was making his first start of the season against ... Read More
Pirates pregame 8/29: Polanco with a historic night
Following a 5-3 series-opening win against the Colorado Rockies, the Pittsburgh Pirates enter play tonight with a three-game winning streak, having also won the last two games of a series against the Miami Marlins. J.A. Happ will get the ball for the Pirates against Chris Rusin. Happ has not allowed a run in his last two starts [12 innings pitched] and has been charged with one run in his last 17.1 innings of work. He is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in four career appearances [three starts] against ... Read More
Pirates again use long ball to beat Giants
The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the San Francisco Giants by a 5-2 score Sunday night to take three games out of the four-game series. “There were a lot of different things that happened out there tonight that complicated things at times but we were able to stay in front of it, get outs when we needed them and add on runs when we needed them," manager Clint Hurdle said. It was an up and down day for Pedro Alvarez. Alvarez was responsible for two errors and was an official scorer decision ... Read More
Alvarez making improvements in becoming two-way player
No Pirates player gets more reaction for better or worse than Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Pedro Alvarez. It isn't for lack of trying. One of the first things that come to mind when Alvarez's name comes up with players and coaches on the team is how hard he works. “His work ethic is as good as anybody that’s been around," hitting coach Jeff Branson said. "It’s nothing any different, he’s just simplified his plan and his sights of where he wants pitches. All of the drill work he does every ... Read More
Pirates earn win in longest game of the season
Boos and groans scattered across PNC Park earlier in the game with Pedro Florimon serving as the intended targer for not getting a sacrifice bunt down. Florimon had the last laugh however when he hit the game-winning triple giving the Pittsburgh Pirates a 9-8 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks Tuesday night. “That’s the beauty of what we do it’s designed to break, stretch, pull and tug on your heart," manager Clint Hurdle said. "It’s fun to watch our men come out there and ... Read More
Pirates can’t shake early inning troubles in loss
The Arizona Diamondbacks attacked Gerrit Cole's fastball early and often and won a 4-1 contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday night. Cole [14-7] tied a season-high allowing nine hits in the contest while also throwing 30-pitches in the first inning. The Diamondbacks struck first with a two-run first inning. A.J. Pollock hit a triple off the Clemente Wall in right field. Gregory Polanco did not read the bounce off the right field wall correctly allowing Pollock to advance to third ... Read More