Follow @TBerardi_OVA Jeff Locke couldn't get off to a good start and the Reds took advantage as they chased him after five runs in one inning as the Reds cruised to a 10- 3 victory on the final home date of the season for the Pirates. Locke got Billy Hamilton to ground out to lead off the game, but allowed a single, two walks, a double and a homer to put the Pirates in an early hole that they could not dig themselves out of. "Everything happened pretty fast," said Locke. "I think as a ... Read More
Pirate of the Week: Jose Tabata
As the season winds down, the Pittsburgh Pirates find themselves battling for a Wild Card spot and possibly a division title. Going forward, it will take a team effort to push ahead. Jose Tabata showed this past week that he could be one of those guys to step up. Tabata had a solid week, hitting .389 while driving in six runs for the Pirates. Let's break down his week as the Pirates went 3-3 from Saturday to Friday. 9/14: 1-3, 1 HR, 1 Run, 1 RBI - Tabata's solo shot tied the game at 1-1 in the ... Read More
Bucs Bounce Back Behind Burnett 4 – 2
Follow @TBerardi_OVA A.J. Burnett followed Liriano's strong start with one of his own, but this time the Pirates held on to their lead for a pivotal 4 - 2 victory over the Reds on Saturday night. For the second time in this series, the Reds struck in the first when Brandon Phillips singled and scored on a Ryan Ludwick RBI single. That single would put runners on first and second with one out, but Burnett would induce an inning-ending double play to get out of the jam. The other run he gave ... Read More
Pirates Gameday: Burnett Looks to Bounce Back Bucs
Follow @TBerardi_OVA The Pirates (88 - 66) look to bounce back after another stunning loss to the Reds (88 - 66). A.J. Burnett (8 - 11, 3.43 ERA) faces Homer Bailey (11 - 10, 3.40 ERA) Leading Off With five games remaining between the Pirates and Reds, the season series stands at 7 - 7. If neither can catch the Cardinals, the winner of the season series will host the wild card game. Hurdle's Quotes On having a guy like A.J. Burnett pitch in a bounce back game after a tough loss -- "He's ... Read More
Pirates Blow Ninth Inning Lead, Lose in 10
The Reds scored three unearned runs in the ninth off of Mark Melancon following a Jordy Mercer throwing error and one in the tenth to stun the Pirates and their sellout crowd 6 - 5 on Friday night. The loss erased an amazing performance by Francisco Liriano, who threw eight innings of two-run, three-hit ball while striking out seven. "I felt fine," said Liriano. "I was locating my pitches where I wanted to and made some adjustments on my pitches and put us in position to win the ball game. ... Read More
Pirates Gameday: The Postseason Begins Tonight
Follow @TBerardi_OVA The Pirates (88 - 65) open up a crucial 3-game set against the Reds (87 - 66) to close out the home portion of the 2013 regular season. Francisco Liriano (16 - 7, 2.92 ERA) faces Matt Latos (14 - 6, 3.14 ERA) Leading Off With nine games remaining, the Pirates trail the Cardinals by one game in the NL Central race. Their magic number to clinch a playoff spot is 4, meaning they could clinch as early as tomorrow night. Hurdle's Quotes On Neil Walker's hot bat as of late ... Read More
Cole Plays Stopper in Pirates 10 – 1 Victory
Follow @TBerardi_OVA The Pirates got a phenomenal start by Gerrit Cole and used a five run fourth inning, which included two homers, to propel them to a 6 - 1 victory over the Padres on Thursday afternoon. Cole had his usual rough start to the game as he allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out two. The inning was highlighted by a Chase Headley RBI groundout putting the Padres on the board first for the fourth straight day. Cole would shut down the Padre offense after that, allowing ... Read More
Padres Score Twice in Ninth to Stun Pirates
Follow @TBerardi_OVA Logan Forsythe and Rene Rivera each singled with two out in the ninth off of Mark Melancon to give the Padres a 3-2 come-from-behind win at PNC on Wednesday night. It erased a dominant performance by Charlie Morton as he allowed a single run over eight innings of work while giving up two hits and tying his career single-game strikeout total of nine. "I thought John [Buck] did a great job behind the plate and the defense made some great plays," said Morton. "For the ... Read More
Pirates Fall 5 – 3, Lose Ground In Central
Follow @TBerardi_OVA PNC Park -- Morgantown, WV native, Jedd Gyorko has replaced Chase Headley as this year's Pirate killer as the second basemen (A diehard Pirate fan growing up) went 3-for-5 with a three-run homer and two runs scored in a Padres 5 - 2 victory over the Pirates on Tuesday night. Jeff Locke had a rough outing as he allowed four runs and ten base runners over five innings of work. Three of those runs came in the third inning when Chris Denorfia and Will Venable led-off the ... Read More
Pirates Gameday: Hurdle Talks Playoff Roster Competition, Extra Wild Card Spot
Follow @TBerardi_OVA The Pirates (87 - 63) look to bounce back after yesterdays one-hitter against the Padres (69 - 80). Jeff Locke (10 - 5, 3.14 ERA) will take on Eric Stults (8 - 13, 4.03 ERA). Leading Off Starling Marte is starting in left field and batting first. It's the first time since Marte has gone on the DL that he's started. "We're a much more dynamic team with him in left field," Hurdle said. Hurdle's Quotes On if there's a competition for playoff roster spots -- "There ... Read More