The Pittsburgh Pirates announced today that a limited number of tickets for possible National League Wild Card and Division Series games at PNC Park will go on sale to the general public on Thursday, September 18, at 10 a.m. At that time, fans will have the opportunity to purchase a maximum of four tickets per person for the one possible Wild Card game and three possible Division Series games. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets online at Pirates.com. Fans can also purchase tickets by ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 9/16: Playoff update, Hurdle discusses Morton’s start
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (79-70) have a golden chance to improve their playoff chances against the Red Sox (66-84) in the final Interleague series of the season. Charlie Morton (5-12, 3.84 ERA) will make his first start since the middle of August and will oppose Anthony Ranaudo (3-2, 5.40 ERA). Standings Update -- The Brewers head to St. Louis to start a three-game series against the Cardinals. The Pirates trail the Cardinals by 3 1/2 games in the division while leading ... Read More
The remarkable journey of John Holdzkom
John Holdzkom has been through it all as a baseball player. What has happened for him over the past month has been something that could rival something out of a movie. Holdzkom was drafted in 2006 by the Mets and didn't make it past the Single-A level in three years while walking 84 batters in 51 appearances. He missed the 2009 season and only made 11 appearances in 2010. After another year off in 2011, he was signed by the Reds and made six appearances in High-A before being released after ... Read More
Pirates turn triple play, score late in 7-3 win over Cubs
The Pirates scored six times in the fifth inning and completed their first ever triple play at PNC Park as they defeated the Cubs on Sunday afternoon to keep their 1 1/2 game lead in the National League Wild Card race. The Pirates (79-70) did nothing against Cubs starter Jacob Turner through the first trip of the lineup, but the defensive gem helped ignite their quiet bats. With runners on first and second against Pirates starter Edinson Volquez and the Cubs leading 3-0, Matt Szczur hit a ... Read More
Charlie Morton to start Tuesday vs. Red Sox
Pirates management has announced that Charlie Morton will start in Tuesday's series opener against the Red Sox at PNC Park. "We'll get Charlie the ball on Tuesday. See where he can take that and evaluate afterwards on where we go next," said manager Clint Hurdle. Morton has been on the DL since 8/17 with a "sports hernia", but has continued a throwing program which includes bullpen sessions and a simulated game to remain available in case he was needed. Morton is 5-12 with a 3.84 ERA in ... Read More
Cubs break out bats in 6-4 win over Pirates
The Cubs capitalized on Jeff Locke's third inning control problems and the Pirates offense was stagnant against Felix Doubront as Chicago evened up the three-game series with a 6-4 victory over the Bucs on Saturday night. Locke was messy with his location in the third inning allowing the Cubs (65-83) to take the lead. Arismendy Alcantara led the inning off with a single. Javier Baez followed hitting a changeup into the left field bleachers to make it 2-0. Luis Valbuena then doubled and later ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 9/13: Hurdle discusses offensive success, Locke’s control
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (78-69) look to extend their winning streak to four games as they face the Cubs (64-83). Jeff Locke (7-4, 3.60 ERA) will take the hill and oppose Felix Doubront (1-1, 2.25 ERA). Injury Update Starling Marte is out of the lineup once again with "elbow discomfort". He is available to pinch-run if needed. "He went out and swung a bat. He tried to do some defensive work and he's still limited in a couple of different areas," said manager Clint ... Read More
Complete offensive effort boosts Pirates over Cubs 7-3
An all-around offensive effort and some gritty pitching by Gerrit Cole helped the Pirates keep their Wild Card lead with a 7-3 victory over the Cubs on Friday night. The Pirates (78-69) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on RBI singles by Chris Stewart and Neil Walker. Both teams then traded runs over the next two innings thanks to two solo home runs against Cole and RBI from Jordy Mercer and Ike Davis. The Cubs (64-82) major threat came against Cole in the sixth when Chris Coghlan walked to ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 9/12: Hurdle discusses Cole’s command
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (77-69) begin their final homestand of the regular season against the Cubs (64-82). Gerrit Cole (8-5, 3.89 ERA) will start it off for the Bucs and will oppose Tsuyoshi Wada (4-2, 2.95 ERA). Injury Update Starling Marte's status for tonight's game is TBD after being hit in the elbow with a pitch in last night's game. "He's in the cage [pregame] to see how he feels from a physical standpoint swinging the bat," said manager Clint Hurdle. Pedro ... Read More
Liriano pushes Pirates closer to Cardinals
Francisco Liriano threw his best outing of the season throwing eight innings of shutout ball in a 4-1 victory over the Phillies on Thursday night to inch them closer to the division-leading Cardinals. Liriano didn't allow a single Phillies baserunner — five total in the game — to reach third base. He did, however, escape a jam of first and second in the third inning with no out. Liriano struck out Phillies starter A.J. Burnett, retired Ben Revere on a lineout to left and struck out Maikel ... Read More