Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (83-70) look to put a stranglehold on the N.L. Wild Card race against the Brewers (79-75). Edinson Volquez (12-7, 3.27 ERA) will oppose Matt Garza (8-8, 3.74 ERA). Playoff Update -- With the comeback win last night, the Pirates extended their Wild Card lead over the Brewers to 4 1/2 games. -- The Giants lost last night to pull the Pirates to within one game of the first Wild Card spot (home field in the Wild Card game). -- The Cardinals held off ... Read More
Martin’s late home run lifts Pirates past Brewers
The Pirates were held to four hits against Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo in his seven innings of work, but a three-run home run by Russell Martin against Milwaukee reliever Jonathan Broxton in the eighth helped the Bucs pull of a 4-2 win in front of a playoff atmosphere at PNC Park on Friday night. The Brewers (79-75) were rolling along behind Gallardo after scoring twice off of Pirates starter Jeff Locke. Ryan Braun hit a one-out hustle double in the first and scored on a Jonathan Lucroy ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 9/19: Hurdle discusses the magnitude of the Brewers series
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (82-70) look to extend their Wild Card lead against the Brewers (79-74). Jeff Locke (7-5, 3.66 ERA) will start things off for the Bucs against Yovani Gallardo (8-10, 3.59 ERA). Injury Update Charlie Morton experienced "increased discomfort" towards the end of his last start and again during bullpen session yesterday. He will have a follow up exam next week. Vance Worley will start for the Pirates in their home finale on Sunday vs. ... Read More
Vance Worley to start on Sunday vs. Brewers
Pirates starter Charlie Morton felt "increased discomfort" due to a sports hernia after his last start and during a bullpen session on Thursday. Vance Worley will start in his place. "My discomfort got noticeably worse during the last batter that I faced in my start," said Morton. "There was three pitches remaining and I felt something that was really abnormal. I threw a pen [Thursday] and it wasn't good. I was hoping I would feel better, but it wasn't, and now we're here." Vance Worley — ... Read More
Pirates use some luck and solid pitching to beat Red Sox
The Pirates have had their share of bad breaks over the course of the 2014 season and on Thursday night they finally had one fall their way as they held on to defeat the Red Sox 3-2. With the Pirates (82-70) leading 3-2 in the ninth, the Red Sox (66-87) were able to put runners on the corners against Bucs closer Mark Melancon with no out. What happened next may have changed the complexion of the playoff race. Will Middlebrooks hit a grounder down the third base line. The ball then hit ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 9/18: Hurdle discusses the importance of shuffling the lineup
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (81-70) look to complete the three-game sweep of the Red Sox (66-86). Gerrit Cole (9-5, 3.92 ERA) will take the mound and oppose Brandon Workman (1-9, 5.27 ERA). Playoff Update -- The Cardinals defeated the Brewers 2-0 last night to remain 2 1/2 up on the Pirates for the N.L. Central lead. The Brewers now trail the Bucs by 2 1/2 for the second N.L. Wild Card. The two teams will finish up a three-game series tonight in St. Louis. -- The Giants ... Read More
Pirates continue hot hitting in 9-1 rout of Red Sox
Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said in his pregame press conference a couple of days ago that it's the teams that get hot at the right time that are the ones that have success in October. Well, the Pirates might be one of those teams as they continued their hot play with a 9-1 rout of the Red Sox on Wednesday night. The Pirates (81-70) scored early and often against Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz as they scored nine runs on ten hits against the Boston righty. Gregory Polanco got things ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 9/17: Pirates make move on Cardinals, Hurdle discusses a healthy Liriano
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (80-70) look to clinch their second straight non-losing season against the Red Sox (66-85). Francisco Liriano (5-10, 3.53 ERA) will oppose Clay Buchholz (8-8, 5.19 ERA). Playoff Update -- The Pirates are now 2 1/2 games behind the Cardinals for first in the National League Central after St. Louis's loss to Milwaukee in extras last night. The Brewers remain 1 1/2 behind Pittsburgh for the second Wild Card. -- The Giants beat the Diamondbacks last ... Read More
Glasnow, Bell named Pirates minor league Pitcher/Player-of-the-year
The Pittsburgh Pirates today named outfielder Josh Bell their Minor League Player-of-the-Year and Tyler Glasnow the Minor League Pitcher-of-the-Year. The announcement was made by Larry Broadway, Pirates’ Director of Minor League Operations. Bell hit a combined .325 (138-for-425) with 22 doubles, four triples, nine home runs, 60 RBI and a .459 slugging percentage between Single-A Bradenton and Double-A Altoona this season. He was named to both the Florida State League’s mid- and post-season ... Read More
Pirate pitching solid in 4-0 win over Red Sox
Six Pirates pitchers combined for a seven-hit shutout and Russell Martin provided the big blow as the Bucs defeated the Red Sox 4-0 on Tuesday night. Charlie Morton made his first start in a month due to a "sports hernia" and looked like his 2013 self as he went five shutout innings against the World Champs. Morton allowed minimal damage through the first three innings before getting into some trouble in the fourth. Yoenis Cespedes double to start the inning and Mike Napoli followed by ... Read More