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
Alvarez needs to succeed at first
The Pedro Alvarez era at first base has officially begun as the former third basemen made his first start at first during the Pirates home series against the Braves. The Pirates were forced to make the midseason switch after Alvarez committed 25 errors with 24 of them being throwing errors. The throwing difficulties have been compared to "Steve Sax syndrome". Sax had a similar sudden problem throwing the ball across the diamond committing 30 errors during the 1983 season. However, Sax snapped ... Read More
Face Off Friday: Bench Pedro?
Andrew Barlow -- Here is what we know about the man they call El Toro. The Pirates drafted Pedro Alvarez with the second pick in 2008 and he was in the majors by 2010, in the midst of a 105 loss season. In 95 games that rookie season, he hit a respectable .256 and smashed 16 home runs, providing a small glimmer of hope on a roster that included he, Andrew McCutchen and little else. The next year, Pedro spent much of the summer injured or at AAA Indianapolis, hitting a miserable .191 and ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 8/11: Hurdle discusses Pedro at first
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (62-55) look to right the ship against the Tigers (63-52). Jeff Locke (3-3, 3.78 ERA) will look to keep the Bucs in it against Justin Verlander (10-10, 4.57 ERA). Hurdle's Quotes On Pedro at first : "He's working his backside off to find a level of comfort to go ahead and say 'okay, I'm ready to go over there in a Major League game.', so I think we're really close to that. He's putting the work in and we're appreciative of it and there will be a ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 8/8: Pedro practicing at first, Hurdle previews the Padres
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (61-53) look to continue their winning ways against the Padres (52-61). Vance Worley (4-1, 2.43 ERA) will take the hill against Ian Kennedy (8-9, 3.59 ERA). Player Update Neil Walker took grounders and BP today with the team. "I think he feels better today," said manager Clint Hurdle. "We need him to get to the point where we can get him on the field. He took grounders yesterday, but he didn't take swings. We're going to see if he can do both ... Read More
Pirates must sink or swim with Pedro Alvarez
With the Pittsburgh Pirates’ season on the brink after news came out that reigning National League MVP Andrew McCutchen is heading to the disabled list, Pirates’ manager Clint Hurdle has to find a way to get by for the next month and keep the team in the playoff chase. There are many opinions out there on what to do to during the next month, but for Hurdle and his staff, the answer should be a simple one. Ride Pedro Alvarez. Now that isn’t the answer that many Pirates’ fans want to ... Read More
Is Alvarez done at third?
Pedro Alvarez has been struggling at the hot corner all season, producing a league-leading 24 errors, most coming from overthrows to first base. The frustrations have seemed to carry over to the offensive side where Alvarez is struggling with a .235/.402/.724 slash with 15 home runs, 45 RBI and 95 strikeouts. This has led to him being taken out of games or benched all together. With Josh Harrison playing out of his mind at the moment -- .303/.498/.840 slash line with a 7-game XBH streak -- ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 7/23: Injury update, Hurdle discusses OBP
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (53-47) look to take the series against the Dodgers (56-46). Francisco Liriano (1-7, 4.43 ERA) will oppose Dan Haren (8-7, 4.30 ERA). Injury Update -- Starling Marte is not in tonight's starting lineup and is not listed as a player off the bench. He is currently undergoing concussion testing. If he fails those tests, he will be placed on the 7-day concussion DL and Brent Morel will be called up from AAA Indianapolis. "We're still going through ... Read More
Pirates bullpen blows another game
Tony Watson allowed an uncharacteristic three runs in relief allowing the Reds to comeback from down 5-1 to beat the Pirates 6-5 on Friday night. The Pirates (48-45) were able to jump on Reds starter Matt Latos in the fourth inning. With one out, Andrew McCutchen deposited his 15th home run of the season into the right-center seats to tie things at one. Three batters later, Pedro Alvarez matched McCutchen with his 15th -- a three run shot to right -- to give the Bucs a 4-1 lead. Russell ... Read More
Pirates lose on second straight walk-off
Kolten Wong sent a 3-2 fastball from Ernesto Frieri into the right field seats with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to give the Cardinals their second straight walk-off victory over the Pirates on Tuesday night by the score of 5-4. The Cardinals (49-42) got to Pirates starter Vance Worley early for two runs in the second. Kolten Wong doubled in Jhonny Peralta and Oscar Taveras. The Pirates (47-43) answered back in the fourth when Pedro Alvarez tied things up with a two-run homer to ... Read More