According to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Jason Grilli will be removed from his closer role for the Pittsburgh Pirates. #pirates have removed Jason Grilli from closers role.— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) June 20, 2014 For time being, #pirates will use @GrillCheese49 in ultra low-leverage situations (i.e. losing game) so he can work things out.— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) June 20, 2014 It has been a tough season for the former All-Star closer. ... Read More
MLB Releases Statement on Wednesday’s Home Plate Review
Joe Torre, MLB's executive vice president of baseball operations, issued a statement regarding the overturned umpires review of Rule 7.13 during Wednesday's game against the Reds. It was a play where Pirates catcher Russell Martin fielded a throw from Stolmy Pimentel while his foot was on home plate to complete a force out at home. The umpires went to a review and the officials in New York City ruled Martin was in violation of Rule 7.13 (The illegal blocking of home plate). Because Martin's ... Read More
Pirates Salvage a Game From Reds in Extras
Pittsburgh-- Russell Martin worked a bases loaded walk in the twelfth inning as the Pirates played walk-off to salvage a game from the Reds 4-3. Jeff Locke played the role of stopper for the Pirates (35-37) as he allowed two runs on three hits in six strong innings of work. The Reds (35-36) got a run in the first when Billy Hamilton again hurt the Bucs with a leadoff double. He then stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly. They did the same in the fourth when Joey Votto started the inning ... Read More
Reds Trounce Pirates 11-4
Pittsburgh-- The Reds put a seven-spot in the third inning against Edinson Volquez to give them an 11-4 victory over the Pirates on Wednesday evening. The Reds (35-35) scored first in the second inning when Skip Schumaker knocked in Jay Bruce with a sac fly. The Reds left a runner on third in the inning after Volquez got a strikeout and flyout to end the inning. The Reds added four more in the third when Todd Frazier and Joey Votto reached on back-to-back singles. Volquez then unhitched a ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 6/18: Hurdle Discusses Harrison’s Spot With Team
Good afternoon from PNC Park where today the Pirates (34-36) look to rebound from last night's tough loss to the Reds (34-35) in the second game of the four-game set. Edinson Volquez (4-5, 3.89 ERA) will oppose Alfredo Simon (9-3, 2.95 ERA). DL Update -- Gerrit Cole threw a simulated game today in which he threw one simulated inning from behind the L-screen and four innings and 60 pitches regular. "From what I saw, he is in a good place," said manager Clint Hurdle Neil Walker was one of the ... Read More
Frazier’s Ninth Inning Homer Lifts Reds Past Pirates 6-5
Pittsburgh-- Todd Frazier sent a Jason Grilli fastball off the batters eye in the top of the ninth inning to give the Reds a 6-5 victory over the Pirates on Tuesday night. Baserunning errors cost the Pirates (34-36) early chances to knock Johnny Cueto out of the game as Andrew McCutchen was thrown out at home in the third on a fly ball to Reds centerfielder Billy Hamilton. Josh Harrison ran into an out in the sixth inning when he tried for third on a grounder to short and Jose Tabata was also ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 6/17: Hurdle Discusses Hitting Cueto
Good afternoon from PNC Park where today the Pirates (34-35) begin a three-game set with the Reds (33-35). Brandon Cumpton (2-2, 6.06 ERA) will take the hill for the home team and will oppose Johnny Cueto (6-5, 1.85 ERA). DL Update -- Neil Walker will take BP and fielding practice prior to today's game. He will also simulate getting prepared to pinch-hit during the game. -- Francisco Liriano will maybe play catch on Thursday. -- Gerrit Cole played catch today. He had a 34-pitch side-session ... Read More
Should the Pirates look to trade Pedro Alvarez?
As Pedro Alvarez gets closer to becoming a high priced free agent after the 2016 season, the reality seems to be that Alvarez's days in Pittsburgh are numbered. This is especially the case if you ask the average Pirates fan. They seem increasingly frustrated with Alvarez's inability to hit for a higher average, his at times frustrating defense and his lack of production over long stretches. For all the criticism Alvarez has received in the past few seasons, especially of late, few hitters ... Read More
Polanco is Already Making His Mark in Pittsburgh
Gregory Polanco wasn't on many people's radars at this time last year. The right fielder was just making the jump from high-A Bradenton to AA Altoona. What he has done since then has possibly changed the course of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for at least the next four years. Polanco is currently posting a .387 (12-for-31)/.484/.890 line in his six games as a Pirate with seven runs and 5 RBI. He also has one home run, which proved to be the difference maker in a 13-inning victory over ... Read More
Can Pirates fix Leaky Shark Tank?
Throughout his tenure as the Pittsburgh Pirates general manager, one thing Neal Huntington has always been able to do is assemble a quality bullpen. Last season during the Pirates playoff run, the "Shark Tank," was a weapon that Pirates manager Clint Hurdle could turn to at any time and would get quality results. That hasn't been the case so far this season, even though almost the entire bullpen is back from a season ago. The Pirates bullpen was shaky at best in winning two of three ... Read More