Ike Davis's eight inning pinch-hit three-run home run helped propel the Pirates to a 5-2 victory over the National League Wild Card-leading Cardinals on Tuesday night . Davis's shot helped bail out Tony Watson, who allowed the Cardinals (71-60) to tie the game at two in the seventh after Gerrit Cole held St. Louis scoreless through six innings. Cole had a no-hitter going through 5 2/3 innings before Kolten Wong snuck a grounder inside the first base line for a double. Cole then came back for ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 8/26: Hurdle discusses Tabata, Pedro’s play at first base
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (67-64) look to avenge last night's 3-2 loss to the Cardinals (71-59) in the second game of a three-game set. Gerrit Cole (7-4, 3.69 ERA) will oppose Lance Lynn (14-8, 2.78 ERA). Hurdle's Quotes On Alvarez's play at first base: "We're just happy that the hard work that he's doing is paying off and giving him some opportunity to have some more freedom every time he goes out there. There's going to be more plays that's going to need to be made and ... Read More
Cardinals score late, hold on to beat Pirates 3-2
Jared Hughes allowed three Cardinal runs in the seventh inning propelling them to a 3-2 victory over the Pirates on Monday night at PNC. The uncharacteristic inning by Hughes erased a strong outing by Francisco Liriano, who pitched six scoreless before being removed after one batter in the seventh with the Pirates (67-64) leading 1-0 on a Pedro Alvarez home run in the second. Liriano held a no-hitter through 4 2/3 innings before a Jhonny Peralta single snapped the bid. Liriano threw up ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 8/25: Hurdle discusses Polanco demotion, Barmes activated from DL
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (67-63) look to build off of their series victory in Milwaukee as they begin a three-game set against the NL Wild Card-leading Cardinals (70-59). Francisco Liriano (3-10, 4.18 ERA) will take the hill and oppose newly acquired John Lackey (1-1, 5.40 ERA). Roster Moves -- The Pirates made a roster move this afternoon sending OF Gregory Polanco to AAA Indianapolis and recalling OF Jose Tabata. Polanco will be back with the team after the rosters ... Read More
Polanco to be optioned to AAA, Tabata to be recalled
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has reported that the Pirates will option Gregory Polanco to AAA for a short time until the rosters expand to 40 men on Monday. Source: #Pirates send Polanco to AAA. No word yet on corresponding move. Figures to be short-term demotion; rosters expand Monday. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 25, 2014 The rookie played in 64 games with the Pirates, Polanco posted a slash line of .241/.349/.657 with nine doubles, six home runs and 30 RBI while striking out 50 ... Read More
Pedro powers Pirates back into NL Central contention
Pedro Alvarez hit two home runs to lead a powerful Pirates attack to a 10-2 victory over Milwaukee on Saturday night at Miller Park. Alvarez --who had gone 42 days since his last home run -- turned the tides in the Pirates favor in the fourth inning. With two outs and the visitors trailing 2-0, Neil Walker walked and Russell Martin doubled for the Bucs first hit of the game off of Brewers starter Wily Peralta. Alvarez then followed with an opposite-field home run to put the Pirates ahead ... Read More
Alvarez needs to succeed at first
The Pedro Alvarez era at first base has officially begun as the former third basemen made his first start at first during the Pirates home series against the Braves. The Pirates were forced to make the midseason switch after Alvarez committed 25 errors with 24 of them being throwing errors. The throwing difficulties have been compared to "Steve Sax syndrome". Sax had a similar sudden problem throwing the ball across the diamond committing 30 errors during the 1983 season. However, Sax snapped ... Read More
Harrison’s 5 RBI lifts Pirates past Brewers
Josh Harrison hit a home run and recorded 5 RBI as the Pirates got their make or break stretch against NL Central opponents off to a solid start with an 8-3 victory over the first place Brewers on Friday night. With the Pirates (66-62) trailing 2-0 in the second inning after a Ryan Braun two run home run in the first, the offense went to work against Yovani Gallardo. Russell Martin started the inning off by reaching on a throwing error by Brewers third basemen Aramis Ramirez. Gallardo then ... Read More
Pirates begin season defining stretch
Tonight, the Pirates begin a stretch of six games in which they play NL Central playoff contenders and it starts in Milwaukee for a three-game set against the first place Brewers, who lead the Bucs by six games in the division. While most have counted the Pirates out of the division race, manager Clint Hurdle and Co. remain confident they can still contend with the Brewers and NL Wild Card leading Cardinals. "I know this, you win your division and you’re in and that’s where I’m going to ... Read More
Face Off Friday: Bench Pedro?
Andrew Barlow -- Here is what we know about the man they call El Toro. The Pirates drafted Pedro Alvarez with the second pick in 2008 and he was in the majors by 2010, in the midst of a 105 loss season. In 95 games that rookie season, he hit a respectable .256 and smashed 16 home runs, providing a small glimmer of hope on a roster that included he, Andrew McCutchen and little else. The next year, Pedro spent much of the summer injured or at AAA Indianapolis, hitting a miserable .191 and ... Read More