On a day that Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin visited McKechnie Field, it was the Pirates that put up football type numbers as part of an 18-4 victory. The Pittsburgh Pirates [14-10-3] defeated the Philadelphia Phillies for its fourth consecutive victory. In the game the Pirates had 16 hits and six home runs. Mark Melancon [1-0] got the start allowing one hit but striking out two batters. Tony Watson and Arquimedes Caminero each followed with an inning of work and zero runs allowed. ... Read More
Morton has rough outing in Pirates loss
Charlie Morton had a start to forget in Sunday's 14-2 Spring Training loss to the Houston Astros. Morton allowed seven runs on nine hits in his 4.1 innings pitched and as a result lost his first game of the spring. The Pirates are now 7-8-3 in Spring Training. The highlight of the game for the Pirates was Jordy Mercer's second home run of the spring. The blast came in the sixth inning and was hit off Dan Straily. Mercer is 7 for his last 11 at the plate and is hitting .294 this ... Read More
Consistency key for Alvarez, first base
It is no secret that the Pedro Alvarez once again goes into a Pittsburgh Pirates season as a key factor to the team's success, however this year Alvarez moves across the diamond to first base. Alvarez committed a Major-League leading 25 errors in 122 games, his fewest played since the 2011 season. The Pirates tried to be patient with Alvarez and did everything from extra reps before games to rest but nothing worked. This coupled with Josh Harrison's breakout season meant the Pirates scaled ... Read More
Jordy Mercer goes deep as Pirates lose to Phillies
The Pittsburgh Pirates lost its first game in a week losing 3-2 to the Philadelphia Phillies in a Wednesday Spring Training game. The Pirates were 3-0-2 during this stretch. Charlie Morton started for the Pirates and had command troubles in the first inning. Morton walked lead-off hitter Ben Revere on five pitches with all four balls in the sequence missing the strike zone by a comfortable margin. Morton then had his pick off throw dropped by Deibinson Romero allowing Revere to advance to ... Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates win Spring Training opener
The Pittsburgh Pirates used three home runs to win 8-7 in Dunedin, Fl., against the Toronto Blue Jays in a game which served as both teams Spring Training openers. Pedro Alvarez hit the first Pirates home run, a three-run shot to left field off Blue Jays pitcher Aaron Sanchez. Sanchez would allow a total of five runs and four hits in 1.1 innings pitched. The Pirates scored their other two runs against Sanchez when Jaff Decker hit a double off the center-field wall. Decker was 2-3 on the ... Read More
Alvarez wins arbitration hearing
Pedro Alvarez has won his arbitration hearing against the Pirates and will earn $5.75 million this season. The Pirates offer was $5.25 million. Alvarez got the decision despite an all-around down year leading the league in errors committed while only posting a .231/.312/.405 slash line with 18 home runs — 18 less than in 2013. Alvarez will try to get back on track this season as he will complete the move to first base during the spring. The Pirates have no more players in arbitration ... Read More
Pirates trade Ike Davis to Oakland
Just a few days after designating first baseman Ike Davis for assignment, the Pittsburgh Pirates made a minor trade on Sunday by sending Davis to the Oakland A’s. In exchange, the Pirates and A’s swapped International bonus slot money. The Pirates acquired bonus slot 27, from Oakland, which is worth $501,900. The Pirates can combine that with its own slot, just above Oakland’s, and spend a little more on the international market. The A’s got international slot No. 86 ($232,000) from ... Read More
Alvarez diagnosed with stress reaction in foot
Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Pedro Alvarez has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in the 4th metatarsal in his left foot. The typical recovery time for this type of injury is 4-6 weeks. Alvarez has not played in a game for the Pirates since September 5, and he hasn't started a game for the Pirates since August 26. ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 8/26: Hurdle discusses Tabata, Pedro’s play at first base
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (67-64) look to avenge last night's 3-2 loss to the Cardinals (71-59) in the second game of a three-game set. Gerrit Cole (7-4, 3.69 ERA) will oppose Lance Lynn (14-8, 2.78 ERA). Hurdle's Quotes On Alvarez's play at first base: "We're just happy that the hard work that he's doing is paying off and giving him some opportunity to have some more freedom every time he goes out there. There's going to be more plays that's going to need to be made and ... Read More
Cardinals score late, hold on to beat Pirates 3-2
Jared Hughes allowed three Cardinal runs in the seventh inning propelling them to a 3-2 victory over the Pirates on Monday night at PNC. The uncharacteristic inning by Hughes erased a strong outing by Francisco Liriano, who pitched six scoreless before being removed after one batter in the seventh with the Pirates (67-64) leading 1-0 on a Pedro Alvarez home run in the second. Liriano held a no-hitter through 4 2/3 innings before a Jhonny Peralta single snapped the bid. Liriano threw up ... Read More