For teams competing for the playoffs, every series is important. When the series is against a team first in their respective division, the stakes get higher. But for the Pittsburgh Pirates who have three straight series coming up against divisional leaders, the stretch could be a make or break one. Starting Friday, they have consecutive three game sets against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets – all currently in first place of their division. The ... Read More
Pirates slug 12 hits in victory
The Chicago Cubs used a three-run sixth inning to tie the game while the Pittsburgh Pirates were using its third pitcher of the inning, Antonio Bastardo. Bastardo [3-1] faced pinch-hitter Chris Coghlan with the bases loaded and two outs. Coghlan grounded out on the first pitch keeping the score tied at four. The Pirates would respond following the out and won by a 7-5 score. “The absolute biggest pitch of the night for me," manager Clint Hurdle said. "It was a real efficient one-pitch ... Read More
Pirates pregame 8/5: Locke looks to reverse fortune; Melancon embraces adventure
The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking for a series split tonight against the Chicago Cubs. The first game scheduled for Monday was postponed due to weather and likely will be made up as a day-night doubleheader Sept. 15. In game two, the Cubs emerged victorious by a 5-0 score. J.A. Happ made his first start as a Pirate and did not make it out of the fifth inning. “There were some solid sequences but we have to get some improvement on the overall consistency," manager Clint Hurdle said of ... Read More
Pirates contained by Arrieta in loss
Two hits and five base runners. That was the Pittsburgh Pirates offense managed Tuesday night against Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta in a 5-0 loss. The Pirates were not able to move runners when they were on base as they grounded into inning ending double plays in both the fourth and fifth innings. This was accomplished once again in the eighth inning against Tommy Hunter. "Yeah we scattered a lot of hits out there but tonight it's all about the starting pitcher," Cubs manager ... Read More
Pirates pregame 8/4: Happ makes Pirates debut; Kang comments on award
Fans waited through three hours and 29 minutes of rain, thunder and lightning, however, just before midnight, Monday's contest between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs was postponed. There is no make up date currently schedule though the Pirates game notes have a doubleheader between the two teams listed for September 15. The Cubs return for a series September 15-17. J.A. [pronounced Jay] Happ will make his Pirates debut in tonight's game against Jake Arrieta. Happ posted a 4-6 ... Read More
Herbie wins: Pirates bullpen catcher still has passion for the game
Jared Hughes and Rob Scahill spent a few minutes on a Sunday morning discussing their bullpen catcher Heberto "Herbie" Andrade and what he meant to the team. Immediately, the two together said the same two words, "Herbie wins." Andrade's competitiveness has allowed him to persevere and make a difference at the major league level for the past 12 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Andrade played a game as a young child in Venezuela where he substituted bottle caps for balls ... Read More
Kang named NL Rookie of the Month
Prior to Monday's Pittsburgh Pirates game it was revealed that Jung Ho Kang was named National League Rookie of the Month. Kang batted .379 in July with an OPS of 1.064. He batted .379 with 33 hits and a .443 on-base percentage. The voting for this category took place over the weekend. Gerrit Cole [Sept. 2013] was the last Pirates player to accomplish this feat and Pedro Alvarez [Sept. 2010] was the most recent position player. He has continued this hot streak into August as he has ... Read More
Pirates pregame 8/3: Pirates return home; face Cubs in game with wild card implications
Following a four-game split against the Cincinnati Reds, the Pittsburgh Pirates return home for six games first with a National League Central series against the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs come in tied for second place with the San Francisco Giants in the NL Wild Card race and four games behind the Pirates for first. “We’ve been playing some really good baseball lately and I think we have a really good shot," Kris Bryant said. "Our team has really good chemistry and overall we’re excited about ... Read More
Burnett season, career not over
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett will not see his career cut short by injury. Jon Morosi of Fox Sports has reported that the right-handed pitcher has a strained flexor tendon and his UCL is intact. “Anytime you’re not on the field it’s frustrating, but of all of the news that came this was the most positive," Burnett said. "I did a PRP shot today after the MRI and we’ll go from there. It’s a matter of resting and healing. We’re shooting for four weeks and waiting for the pain to go ... Read More
Pirates earn split; Morton wins for first time since June
Charlie Morton had not won a start since June 27 and a road contest since June 5. Both of those changed as the Pittsburgh Pirates won 3-0 against the Cincinnati Reds. The Pirates victory means that both teams split the four-game series. Morton [7-4] set the side down in order on six pitches in the first inning and struck out the side in the second. He allowed two base runner, Ivan DeJesus Jr. in the third inning and Eugenio Suarez in the seventh inning to reach scoring position. He ... Read More