The Pittsburgh Pirates announced several coaching changes for the 2017 season. Kimera Bartee was named the first base, outfield and base-running coach, Joey Cora was named the third base coach and infield coach and Tom Prince was named the bench coach. Bartee served as the Pirates' minor league outfield and base-running coach for nine seasons. He made several trips to Pittsburgh while filling this role, so he's familiar with the team and its strategy on the basepaths. He also served ... Read More
Pirates seeking series split with Reds
The Pittsburgh Pirates enter play Sunday afternoon losers of 10 out of its past 12 games and are looking to avoid dropping a fourth consecutive series, this time against the Cincinnati Reds. Ryan Vogelsong (3-4, 4.07 ERA) will be facing Brandon Finnegan (8-10, 4.17 ERA). Vogelsong is coming off a no decision against the St. Louis Cardinals in which he allowed five runs on six hits over four innings. He is 5-5 with a 4.34 ERA in 21 career appearances (11 starts) against the ... Read More
Pirates base running gaffes costly in loss to Brewers
Less than a week after earning a four-game road sweep against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Pittsburgh Pirates fell to the same Brewers 1-0 Friday night at PNC Park. This loss comes after a 1-5 mark during the team's last homestand, and now the Pirates fall to 67-65 on the season which is 2.5 games behind St. Louis for the second and final National League wild card spot. The Pirates did out-hit the Brewers in this game by a 7-3 margin, but it was what was done on the base paths that did the ... Read More
The Pirates are ready for some football
Rick Sofield is a known New York Giants fan, so it came as no surprise that he flipped out when he saw Chris Stewart with a personalized Dallas Cowboys jersey hanging by his locker. "That son of a [gun] has a Dallas Cowboys jersey," an outraged Sofield said. Sofield immediately responded putting on a Giants shirt much to Stewart's chagrin. Week one of the NFL season is always a phenomenon all across he country and the Pirates certainly are not immune. "It’s a nice distraction for us ... Read More
Polanco gaining confidence on defense
PNC Park's right field is shorter than the average ballpark, however that does not mean it does not present its own unique challenges. Gregory Polanco is in his first full season of playing right field for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and after a part-time run last season filled with ups and downs, his defense his been an improvement. “I’ve played right field before so I knew the angle of the ball and when they hit," Polanco said. "It’s just practicing every day and getting better.” Polanco's ... Read More
Sofield, baserunning key in Pirates victory
Pittsburgh Pirates third base and baserunning coach Rick Sofield saw his catcher Francisco Cervelli running toward third and had to make a decision. It was the fourth inning of Friday's game, the Pirates were down 1-0 and Gregory Polanco had singled to right while Ryan Braun cleanly fielded the ball. Sofield thought for a second and both both hands up. Cervelli stayed at third. While anxious fans had been waiting 22 innings for a Pirate to cross home plate, Sofield did not think this was the ... Read More