Edinson Volquez made positive strides ahead of his start on Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals with a scoreless relief appearance against the Cubs on Thurdsay. The righty that was signed via free agency over the offseason didn't have the spring that Pirate management and fans hoped as he posted a 0-3 record with a 9.64 ERA in 14 spring training innings. Volquez made his first official Pirates appearance in the seventh inning of Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Cubs. He threw two scoreless innings ... Read More
Cole Continues Dominance Over Cardinals in 12-2 Win
Gerrit Cole picked up where he left off against the Cardinals last postseason as he only allowed two runs -- a Matt Carpenter 2-run homer -- in seven strong as the Pirates defeated the Cardinals 12-2. Pedro Alvarez gave his starting pitcher a cushion when he hit solo-shots in his first two at bats. An opposite field shot into the IC Light Seats in the second and a mammoth shot that cleared the right-center field seats and hit off the top of a shaved ice concession stand in the fourth. Travis ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 4/4: Lineups, Hurdle Talks Cole, Cardinals Rivalry
Good afternoon from a rainy PNC Park where tonight the Pirates (2-1) will begin a 3-game series with the defending NL Champion, St. Louis Cardinals (2-1) in a rematch from last year's NLDS. Gerrit Cole (10-7, 3.22 ERA in 2013) will take the hill for the Bucs and will oppose Shelby Miller (15-9, 3.06 ERA in 2013). Hurdle's Quotes On the competitiveness of the Pirates and Cardinals when they face each other -- "Last year, we were 12 and 12 at the end and they won the biggest one which was the ... Read More
Pirates Comeback Falls Short in 3-2 Loss to Cubs
Wandy Rodriguez needed a few innings to get back into form after being sidelined with an injury last year, but the offense wasn't able to bail him out as the Pirates dropped the final game of the opening series to the Chicago Cubs 3-2. The Cubs scored a run in the first three innings off of Wandy as he readjusted to pitching on the big league stage. His last start was June 5th in Atlanta when he was pulled from the game with an arm injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Emilio ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 4/3: Lineups, Hurdle Discusses Wandy, Sanchez’s Walk-Off
The Pirates (2-0) look to complete an opening series sweep against the Chicago Cubs (0-2) this afternoon at PNC Park (Weather Permitting). Wandy Rodriguez (6-4, 3.59 ERA in 2013) will face Jason Hammel (7-8, 4.97 ERA in 2013). Hurdle's Quotes On Wandy making his first start reg. season since his injury: We're going to run him out there and he's been in a good place all spring. Every building block he needed to take care of, he was able to take care of throughout March. This will be the next ... Read More
Pirates Walk-Off Cubs Again 4-3 in 16
Charlie Morton did his best Francisco Liriano as the righty fanned 6 batters while working around some jams but, the bullpen was unable to hold the lead and it took 16 innings for the Pirates to finally break through for a 4-3 victory in the longest game ever played in Pittsburgh at 5 hrs, 55 min (Prev. record was 5 hr 49 min vs. Houston on May, 27, 2006). Morton struck five betters out through the first three innings and retired six-straight batters before two errors by Jordy Mercer and ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 4/2: Hurdle Discusses First Base Platoon, Replay System
Good afternoon from PNC Park where tonight the Pirates (1-0) take on the Cubs (0-1) in game 2 of the opening series of the 2014 campaign. Charlie Morton (7-4, 3.26 ERA in 2013) will make his first start of the season and will face Edwin Jackson (8-18, 4.98 ERA in 2013). Hurdle's Quotes On the platoon situation at first base: "It won't be a cookie cutter platoon. I do believe there's better match-up opportunities for Gaby than this particular one today. Based on the spring he had last year, ... Read More
Baseball is Back in the Burgh
One couldn't ask for a better day for Opening Day 2014 as blue skies and springtime temperatures ascended on PNC Park on Monday. It was a welcome sight to fans, but an even better sight to the Pirate players as they have some unfinished business after last seasons Game 5 defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS. "I believe we're better prepared," said manager, Clint Hurdle. "I believe we're better experienced. I believe the skill-sets have every opportunity to play out and play longer than ... Read More
Liriano Plays Houdini, Walker Walks-Off in Pirates 1-0 Win
PNC Park -- At 1:14 pm under clear skies, Francisco Liriano threw a strike to Emilio Bonifacio to kick off the 128th season of the Pittsburgh Baseball Club. Liriano would continue where he left off last postseason with a 4-hit, 10 strikeout performance (No decision) and Neil Walker hit a walk-off home run in the tenth inning for a Pirates 1-0 victory. It was a pitchers duel until the Cubs threatened in the fifth when Nate Schierholtz led off with a single and Darwin Barney followed with a ... Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates Season Preview
The 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates showed the city that baseball was back in the Steel City where it belonged. The question is however, can the 2014 Pirates continue to keep the ball rolling? They have the pieces to contend like last season, but it's what they did in the offseason to determine if they will be able to hold on to that playoff spot. Pitching still has some question marks to it after 10-game winner and clubhouse leader, A.J. Burnett departed for the Phillies. The addition of Edinson ... Read More