Extra innings: two words Pirates fans have become accustomed to hearing at PNC Park and Friday was no different. It was the fourth extra inning game played in the past nine home contests. This time, however, Jordy Mercer had the walk off hit against Jason Grilli to send the 34,220 fans happy with a 3-2 Pirates victory over the Atlanta Braves. This, a day after losing a 13-inning game to the Cincinnati Reds. “It’s the kind of baseball that we play and we’ve done it time after time," Pedro ... Read More
Altoona Curve honor a ‘special friend’
Altoona will be a “part of the neighborhood” on July 5 as the Curve, the Pirates’ AA affiliate, plans to celebrate the legendary Mr. Rogers by wearing special jerseys that are detailed to look like the now infamous cardigan and necktie. The Curve will honor Rogers’ lifelong work by conducting “A Night in the Neighborhood” that will benefit the American Rescue Workers, as attendees are encouraged to donate new or gently-worn sweaters and other clothing. Bins to collect the items will be placed ... Read More
Pirates pregame 6/26: Deolis Guerra next up in thin bullpen; Grilli makes Pittsburgh return
The Pittsburgh Pirates wrap up a six-game homestand with a three-game set starting tonight against the Atlanta Braves. Something will give as the Pirates have lost their past two games but are 9-0 against NL East opponents at PNC Park this season. Last night, the Pirates played for nearly five hours in a 5-4, 13-inning loss. "We just had a lot of bad luck last night and it seems like a lot of the balls we hit might usually leave the ballpark for home runs and instead landed on the ... Read More
Pirates fielding versatility can help preserve the bullpen
A baseball team having only four bench players is usually not an ideal situation for that team. But for the Pittsburgh Pirates, they can afford to do so for a short time. The bench fell short a man Wednesday after Corey Hart was placed on the 15-day disabled list and pitcher Chris Volstad took his spot on the 25-man roster. It was a much needed addition to the Pirate bullpen that combined to throw 12 1/3 third innings the previous three days. It is a loophole that is probably used more than ... Read More
BP phones home; Pirates fall in extra innings
Restless Pittsburgh Pirates fans waited out a long rain delay however over 4.5 hours into its game against the Cincinnati Reds, the patience did not pay off. Brandon Phillips hit his fourth home run of the season in the 13th inning off Rob Scahill [2-4] allowing the Reds to win 5-4. The Pirates had numerous opportunities to get a go-ahead or game-winning hit however the ball did not carry and instead made loud outs. “I feel like there were balls hit today that a lot of times go out but they ... Read More
Pirates pregame 6/25: Kang makes defensive strides; law of averages comes into question
It is the rubber match between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds as each team won a game in the first two days of the series. The Pirates won a 7-6 decision on Tuesday and the Reds countered with a 5-2 victory Wednesday. The loss Wednesday also saw Gerrit Cole have his shortest outing while allowing the most runs in a start this season. “It boiled down to me not making pitches and just being flat," Cole said. "It happens sometimes.” Tonight the Pirates will have A.J. Burnett toe the ... Read More
Bell, Diaz to represent Pirates at MLB Futures Game
A pair of Pittsburgh Pirates minor-leaguers will represent the organization at the 2015 MLB All-Star Futures Game. The game, part of the MLB All-Star Game festivities, will be held at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Sunday, July 12. Representing the Buccos will be Indianapolis Indians catcher Elias Diaz and Altoona Curve first baseman Josh Bell. Diaz, 24, is batting .281 with 11 doubles and 25 RBI in 57 games with the triple-A Indians. He has also caught 9-of-31 base ... Read More
Three surprises help anchor Pirates’ bullpen
The Pirate’s bullpen has been the anchor of this pitching staff for the last three years. It should come as no surprise that, as of Wednesday, the Pirates are second in the N.L. in bullpen ERA, behind none other than those pesky St. Louis Cardinals. Along with this success fans have seen remarkable pitching by players like Rob Scahill, Arquimedes Caminero and Antonio Bastardo. These three players have thrown very well as of late, but remember that the MLB season is a marathon and having ... Read More
Cole knocked out early in Pirates loss
Coming into Wednesday night's start, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole had not allowed more than three runs in a game this season. That all changed 21 minutes into the game as a four-run and 38-pitch first inning allowed the Cincinnati Reds to win 5-2. The outing was the shortest of Cole's season and also the shortest since June 28 against the New York Mets when he went four innings. “I didn’t bring out a good delivery tonight the stuff was a little flat," Cole said. "I didn’t make ... Read More
Pirates pregame 6/24: Volstad called up; Hart to DL
A roller coaster game Tuesday night ended in the Pittsburgh Pirates favor as it won a 7-6 game against the Cincinnati Reds. “We lost three in a row on the road so we want to win at home," Andrew McCutchen said. "To lose how we did against the Nationals, we were pretty amped up for playing in front of a home crowd.” The Pirates will look to make it two wins in a row when they take on the Reds once again. Gerrit Cole will start for the Pirates attempt to become the fifth Pittsburgh ... Read More