The Pirates (77 - 55) look to get back into a tie for first as they face the Brewers (58 - 74) in the rubber match of the three game set. Gerrit Cole (6 - 6, 3.81 ERA) will oppose Yovani Gallardo (9 - 9, 4.61 ERA). Leading off John Buck will make his Pirates debut tonight as he will catch Cole and bat seventh. Hurdle's Quotes On the amount of players that will be brought up post-Sept. 1st -- "I think we're going to have a progression in place that we're going to have some guys added on ... Read More
Morton Strong In A Pirates 7 – 1 Victory
Charlie Morton continues to improve from Tommy John surgery as he threw 6 2/3 innings of one run (unearned) ball while Marlon Byrd hit a homer in his fourth at-bat as a Pirate in a 7 - 1 Bucco victory on Wednesday night. Morton experienced some trouble out of the gate, much like Locke did last night, as he allowed three base runners in the first. The outcome would be different, though, as he would get a fielders choice, caught stealing and a groundout to get out of the jam. From there, he ... Read More
Vic Black the PTBNL in Mets Trade, Locke/Sanchez Optioned to AA
A couple of moves have been made by the Pirates prior to tonight's game against the Brewers. They have optioned (C) Tony Sanchez and (LHP) Jeff Locke to AA Altoona to make room for Marlon Byrd and John Buck on the 25-man roster. “This move allows us to give Jeff Locke a short break,” said Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington. “It also allows Tony Sanchez to get back to the Major Leagues as soon as the rules permit us to do so. In addition, this gives us the opportunity to ... Read More
Pirates Game Day: Grilli Talks Rehab, Locke Optioned to AA
The Pirates (76 - 55) look to bounce back after last nights disappointing loss to the Brewers (58 - 73) in game two of this 3-game set. Charlie Morton (5 - 3, 3.42 ERA) will oppose former Pirate, Tom Gorzelanny (3 - 5, 3.60 ERA) Leading Off Marlon Byrd will make his first start as a Pirate tonight as he will bat in the cleanup spot and play right field. John Buck will be available off of the bench. To make room for these two on the 25-man roster, Tony Sanchez and Jeff Locke have been sent to ... Read More
Pirate Pitching Struggles In 7 – 6 Slugfest
In a game that went back-and-forth, combined for 28 total hits,10 total pitchers and involved one player on each team that went a combined 6-for-6 (Pedro went 4-for-4 with a homer and a walk) in 10 plate appearances, the Brewers were able to survive with a 7 - 6 victory over the Pirates on Tuesday night. Neil Walker was able to sum the whole thing up . "It was a strange game, it was. Back-and-forth, back-and-forth." The struggle began against Locke, who was good over the first four innings ... Read More
Pirates Gameday: NH, Hurdle Talk Locke, Trade, Marte Update
The Pirates (76 - 54) return to PNC to begin the second-to-last homestand of the season as they take on the Milwaukee Brewers (57 - 73). Jeff Locke (9 - 4, 3.01 ERA) will look to get back to pre-all-star break form as he faces Kyle Lohse (9 - 8, 3.22 ERA). Leading off Today, the Pirates traded Dilson Herrera and a player to be named later to the Mets for Marlon Byrd and John Buck, the two should be in Pittsburgh for tomorrow's game. Neal Huntington's Quotes On the Trade -- "We've been ... Read More
Wandy Rodriguez Experiences Another Setback
The Pirates have announced that Wandy Rodriguez experienced a further setback as he experienced pain during his simulated game today. He will meet with Dr. James Andrews next week. Rodriguez had a 6 - 4 record in 12 starts while posting a 3.59 ERA with 46 strikeouts and 12 walks. He was forced from his start in Atlanta on June 5th with left forearm tightness. It is unlikely, now, that he will be back on the roster this season. Other Injury News: Jason Grilli threw 25 pitches off of a ... Read More
Pirates In Desperate Need of a Rodriguez Return
Saturday’s 15-5 thumping at the hands of the Arizona Diamondbacks was yet another piece of evidence that shows the Pirates’ rotation, which has been dominant all season, is beginning to wear down. Following a two-week span that has seen Jeff Locke, Francisco Liriano, and AJ Burnett rocked for an onslaught of runs in spate starts against the Rockies, Cardinals, and Diamondbacks. With rookie phenom Gerrit Cole still figuring out how to pitch consistently at the major league level and Charlie ... Read More
The Pennant Stretch Begins
With 40 games remaining, Pirate fans have something to look forward to other than who they will sign in the offseason. They have a chance to watch their team lock up a playoff spot and possibly a division title. If the Bucs can take this afternoon's contest against Arizona, they would be in great position for, at least, a wild card birth, but this isn't a team that is looking for just a postseason birth, this is a team that is currently three games clear of the Cardinals for the NL Central ... Read More
Pirates Extend Playoff Lead In 6-2 Victory Over Arizona
PNC Park - Gerrit Cole pitched six innings of five hit, two run ball and the top of the Pirates order continued to remain hot as the Pirates defeated the Diamondbacks 6 - 2 on Friday night extending their lead over Arizona to 9 1/2 games and their NL Central lead over the Cardinals to three. Cole went through the Arizona lineup once easily before experiencing trouble in the fourth. He would pitch around Paul Goldschmidt to start the inning before walking Aaron Hill. A wild pitch would then ... Read More