As they prepare to gear up for the offseason, the Pittsburgh Pirates started doing some roster cleaning on Thursday. The Bucs declined a club option on right-hander Radhames Liz, making him a free agent. Pirates' general manager Neal Huntington took a gamble on the 32-year old Liz this past offseason and it turned out to be one of the few moves Huntington has made during the past few years that didn't pan out. Liz received a Major League deal with a $1 million guarantee with the Bucs ... Read More
Cole fails to reach fifth inning in Pirates loss
Fans who turned on the television saw what has been a constant at Miller Park as the Pittsburgh Pirates fell by a 7-4 score Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Brewers. Gerrit Cole [15-8] allowed four first-inning runs and lasted four innings, his shortest outing since June 28, 2014 when he also pitched four innings. The victory is the 94th overall and fifth this season by the Brewers against the Pirates at Miller Park. In the bottom of the first inning, the first four batters reached ... Read More
Reports: Pirates to call up six players
According to reports by Tim Williams of PiratesProspects.com and the Toledo Blade, the Pittsburgh Pirates are planning on calling up six players as the team makes its final push towards playoff contention. The Pirates will call up pitchers Bobby LaFromboise and Radhames Liz, infielder Pedro Florimon, catcher Elias Diaz and outfielders Jaff Decker and Travis Snider from the Indianapolis Indians. Of the six, only Decker, Diaz and LaFromboise are already on the 40-man roster. Radhammes ... Read More
Neal Huntington on All-Star Game, Richard trade & Taillon’s injury
With the All-Star Break right around the corner, Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington met with the media to discuss his usual variety of topics. Huntington discussed the All-Star Game and the likelihood that the Pirates will have multiple people selected. Starters will be announced Sunday night and the rest of the team Monday. “I don’t think we’ve viewed a guy being on a team because he had to be on the team," Huntington said. "We typically had someone that was playing well and deserving. ... Read More
Pirates pregame 7/4: Hurdle responds to ESPN survey; Marte’s defense
The Pittsburgh Pirates look to get back on the winning track with its Fourth of July afternoon game against the Cleveland Indians. The Indians won last night's game by a 5-2 final score. Jeff Locke [4-4 4.55 ERA] will pitch for the Pirates against Cody Anderson [1-0 0.57 ERA]. Locke is 5-1 with a 2.84 ERA in eight career Interleague starts and is 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA in those appearances this season. In his last start he took a loss against the Atlanta Braves. Locke allowed one run on five ... Read More
Pirates pregame 5/25: Liz designated for assignment; Morton makes season debut
The Pittsburgh Pirates will conclude an eight game homestand with a three game series against the Miami Marlins. The Pirates lost the first two games to the Minnesota Twins before earning a sweep against the New York Mets. Now the Miami Marlins come to town on a two game winning streak after losing its eight games prior. Tonight’s starters: The Pirates will send Charlie Morton to the mound for the first time this season. The Marlins will counter with David Phelps [2-1 3.21 ... Read More
Radhames Liz taking advantage of opportunity with Pirates
Radhames Liz knew he wanted to extend his baseball career but had the option of following the money and going to Japan or trusting his gut feeling. He went with his heart. "This year I had a good offer to go over there [Japan]," Liz said. "It was better money and a better offer but this is where I want to be. Sometimes it’s just not about the money.” Now for the first time since 2009, Liz is back on major league roster, this time as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Liz started his ... Read More
Cubs early-inning scoring sinks Pirates
For the second time this season, the Chicago Cubs took the opening two games of its series with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cubs won Tuesday night's game by a 6-2 score. Jeff Locke [2-1] did not make it into the fourth inning. Locke pitched 3.2 innings allowing eight hits, six runs [five earned runs], three walks and five strikeouts. Locke threw 86 pitches and had 53 strikes. The Cubs scored three runs in the third inning off Locke. Addison Russell brought home the first with his third double ... Read More
Pirates lose in extra innings
In the second of a three game season opening series, the Pittsburgh Pirates shook off a 2-hour 34 minute rain delay but could not do the same with the Cincinnati Reds falling 5-4 early Thursday morning in 11 innings. Both starters had high pitch counts in this game with Gerrit Cole departing after five innings for the Pirates and Mike Leake 5.2 with the Reds. Both received no decisions. Cole threw 92 pitches, 56 of which were strikes while allowing five hits and three runs. Cole also ... Read More
Pirates relief continues to be a strength
With the recalling of Rob Scahill, the Pittsburgh Pirates completed its bullpen. The bullpen has been a source of strength under the watchful eyes of pitching coach Ray Searage, bullpen coach Euclides Rojas and bullpen catcher Herbie Andrade. Here is a rundown of who will come out of the bullpen to start the season: Antonio Bastardo- The Pirates made what they felt was a low-risk acquisition with Antonio Bastardo from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Joely Rodriguez. Manager Clint ... Read More