The Pittsburgh Pirates come into tonight's home game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on a four-game winning streak thanks in part to a sweep of the New York Mets, earning the team's first ever season series sweep against them. In tonight's game, Gerrit Cole takes on Jeremy Hellickson. Cole is 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA in two career starts against the Diamondbacks. Cole lost his last start against the St. Louis Cardinals allowing four runs [three earned] on seven hits in 5.1 innings. He has lost ... Read More
Pirates avoid sweep with big first inning
The past eight meetings between the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium all had one thing in common; a loss for the visitors. Thursday night, however, the Pirates changed that with a 10-5 victory, their first on the road against the Cardinals in 2015. The Pirates were aided by a seven-run first inning in which they batted around. Neil Walker got a hit from both sides of the place, the first Pirates player to do that in the same inning since at least 1961. Cardinals ... Read More
Pirates lose as Locke falters in fifth
The Pittsburgh Pirates fell six games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central following a 4-3 loss Tuesday night. This loss pushed the Pirates to 6-17 on the road this season against NL Central opponents. Jeff Locke [6-7] allowed the leadoff hitter to reach base four innings out of five however, it was the fifth inning that was his undoing. Locke walked the first two batters he faced and then after a mound visit Jason Heyward hit a single to put the Cardinals ... Read More
Alvarez a pinch hit hero in walk-off win over Dodgers
Having the bases loaded was not necessarily a recipe for the success for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night, but pinch-hitter Pedro Alvarez made sure 39,404 fans went home happy. Alvarez's pinch-hit single with the bases full in the bottom of the tenth gave the Pirates a 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. “Just because you don’t start a game it doesn’t mean that you won’t play a role in the game," Alvarez said. "I can speak for everyone here when they are in the same situation ... Read More
Defense shines in Pirates victory
Joakim Soria was making his Pittsburgh Pirates debut and loaded the bases while loading the bases. He then fell behind Brayan Pena 3-0 before making hard contact on a 3-1 offering. The Cincinnati Reds appeared poise to tie or lead the game on the play, however Soria stuck his glove out and ended the inning to Pena's surprise. Following a 10-run loss Thursday, the Pirates came back and tied the four-game series with a 5-4 victory. The Pirates finish the month at a National League best 17-9 ... Read More
Pirates sweep Twins; onto Cincinnati
The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Minnesota Twins by a 10-4 score Wednesday afternoon to secure its league-leading 11th sweep of the season. This contest featured five total errors, one of which the Pirates used to create separation on the scoreboard. The Pirates scored first as Jung Ho Kang homered to left field with one out. It was his seventh of the season and his second in as many days. The Pirates are now 34-10 when scoring first. In the bottom half of the inning Eddie Rosario ... 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 pull away following late rally in win
The Pittsburgh Pirates won its first game of a six-day road trip with a 10-7 victory against the Kansas City Royals. It was the Royals that struck first in the first inning when Eric Hosmer singled in Alcides Escobar. Hosmer was thrown out trying to stretch his single into a double. A four-run second inning served as the Pirates response. Both Pedro Alvarez and Francisco Cervelli each singled in runs placing the Pirates in the lead. Travis Ishikawa then drove the ball to left field for a ... Read More
McCutchen wins it in extras for Pirates
Andrew McCutchen's two-run home run in the 14th inning gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a 6-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. The homer extended McCutchen's hitting streak to 18 games this despite a couple of nearly game-changing calls from home plate umpire Vic Carapazza. “Quite the climactic ending right there," McCutchen said. "That was a lot of fun and who would have thought it came to that?” Mark Reynolds struck out and so did Jhonny Peralta. Carapazza ruled each a foul ball when ... Read More