Francisco Liriano dug the Pirates an early hole that they couldn't get out of as the Nationals (25-25) avoided the four-game sweep with a 5-2 victory over the Pirates (22-27) on Sunday afternoon. Liriano's struggles began right away as he allowed a lead off double to Denard Span and a walk to Anthony Rendon. Liriano retired the next two batters, but allowed Span to score on a wild pitch and Rendon on a RBI single by Ian Desmond. Liriano settled down through innings 2-4 before getting into ... Read More
Cole, Pirates Outduel Strasburg 3-2
The Cole/Strasburg matchup lived up to it's hype on Saturday night in front of a sold out crowd at PNC Park and a semi-national Baseball Night in America FOX audience as the Pirates came back to beat the Nationals 3-2. Strasburg seemed to have the game in hand with the Nationals (24-25) leading 2-1 heading into the seventh, but the Pirates (22-26) took a chapter from the 2013 squad and bounced back. Russell Martin started the inning off with a single. He was moved to third with one out on a ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 5/24: Marquee Pitching Matchup on National TV
Good afternoon from PNC Park where tonight, in front of a FOX Baseball Night in America audience, the Pirates (21-26) look to extend their three-game win streak against the Nationals (24-24). Gerrit Cole (4-3, 3.84 ERA) will face Stephen Strasburg (3-3, 3.38 ERA) in a battle of #1 overall picks. Hurdle's Quotes On the matchup of Cole v. Strasburg tonight: "It's one of those marquee matchups. I'm excited for the game and I hope it all plays out because the guy over there [Strasburg], I've got ... Read More
For the Pirates, Super 5 is Taking Advantage of Super 2
Article by Gino Ferretti of Pittsburgh Sporting News If 71% of the earth is covered by water, then Josh Harrison currently covers the other 29%. Harrison has been responsible for some of the most sensational early highlights of the Pirates 2014 season. Nevermind the go-ahead solo home run Sunday that broke a 3-3 tie with the Yankees, the big play was made later as he stretched out and made a jaw dropping catch to preserve the lead. Oh, and forget about him going 2-4 Thursday night with an ... Read More
Morton Avoids the Big Inning, Pirates Win 4-3
Charlie Morton continued where Edinson Volquez left off last night with 5 2/3 innings of five-hit, one-run ball and Pedro Alvarez hit a two-run homer in the Pirates 4-3 victory over the Nationals on Friday night. Morton avoided the big inning three times on the night in the first, third and sixth. In the first, he walked back-to-back batters with two out before getting a groundout. In the third he got a double play ball with runners on the corners and one out and in the sixth with the bases ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 5/23: Lineups, Hurdle Talks Lineup Shakeup
Good afternoon from PNC Park where today the Pirates (20-26) look to add to their winning ways against the Nationals (24-23). Charlie Morton (0-6, 3.45 ERA) will take the hill against Jordan Zimmerman (3-1, 3.70 ERA). Roster Move Jason Grilli has been recalled from the 15-day DL. Tony Sanchez has been optioned to AAA Indianapolis to make room on the active roster for Grilli. Manager Clint Hurdle said the closers job won't immediately be Grilli's. "We're going to give Jason the ball a couple ... Read More
Cutch, Harrison Lead Bucs to 3-1 Win Over Nats
Pittsburgh-- Andrew McCutchen and Josh Harrison came up with clutch plate appearances and key defensive plays allowing the Pirates to defeat the Nationals 3-1 on Thursday night. The performances of the two outfielders helped solidify a much-needed quality start by Edinson Volquez, who went six innings allowing a run on three hits. The only blemish on Volquez's record came in the fourth inning when Ian Desmond led off the inning with a home run to right-center tying the game at one. He also ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 5/22: Wandy Rodriguez DFA’d
Good afternoon from PNC Park where tonight at 7:05 the Pirates (19-27) start a four-game series with the Washington Nationals (24-22). Edinson Volquez (1-4, 4.71 ERA) will take the hill for the Bucs and will face Blake Treinen (0-1, 0.77 ERA). Wandy Rodriguez DFA'd The Pirates have DFA'd Wandy Rodriguez in order to make room for Russell Martin, who has been reinstated from the 15-day DL. Martin will serve his one-game suspension tonight and Clint Hurdle expects him to play tomorrow. Rodriguez ... Read More
Pirates Claim Pitcher Josh Wall Off Waivers From Angels
The Pittsburgh Pirates today claimed right-handed pitcher Josh Wall off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Wall will be optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. To make room for Wall on the 40-man roster, the Pirates have designated for assignment right-handed pitcher Phil Irwin. The announcement was made by Pirates Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington. The 27-year-old Wall spent a majority of the 2014 campaign with Triple-A Salt Lake, where he went 0-0 with one save ... Read More
Wandy Struggles, Pirates Win Wild One 9-8
Pittsburgh-- After 17 combined runs, 24 combined hits and 2 1/3 combined innings by both starters, a Tony Sanchez one-out RBI single proved to be the winner as the Pirates (19-26) fought off the Orioles 9-8 on Wednesday night. Starters Wandy Rodriguez and Chris Tillman both failed to get out of the second inning as both teams combined for 14 runs in 2 1/3 innings of play. The Pirates struck first in the first with RBI's by Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte (2 RBI) and Ike Davis. The Orioles ... Read More