It took 11 innings, but the Pittsburgh Pirates saw its comeback attempt come to an end. This game came down to a bullpen battle, and Ryan Vogelsong was the last to flinch as he fell to 1-1 on the season. Here are some takeaways from the game. Locke not to blame Jeff Locke has always been the easy target to blame, but his seven innings of work in which he allowed three runs on four hits should not draw ire. Every start, fans automatically appear to want Locke to fail. When he ... Read More
Saltalamacchia’s grand slam too much for Pirates
Detroit Tigers rightfielder J.D. Martinez knew the game plan when it came to facing Arquimedes Caminero, so Martinez sat on a 3-2 slider. He got his pitch and hit it hard, but it was just foul. Hard-hit contact was the difference in this game, and it was the reason why the Tigers came away with a 7-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday night at PNC Park. For what it's worth, Martinez worked a walk in that at-bat and set the table for a Jarrod Saltalamacchia grand slam. “Those ... Read More
Pirates pregame: Vogelsong will not be on set pitch count
The bizarre two game home-and-home series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers continues at PNC Park tonight. A lot has changed in the last hour, as Michael Morse was designated for assignment and A.J. Schugel was called up to join the team in the bullpen. This was a move accomplished to protect the team since Francisco Liriano no longer is starting tonight's game and Ryan Vogelsong will be on the mound in his stead. Vogelsong (1-0 4.50 ERA) will get the ball tonight ... Read More
Liriano scratched from Wednesday start because of hamstring tightness
At the start of the season, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Ryan Vogelsong was certainly disappointed to see a starting rotation job that was projected to go his way didn't. He was sent to the bullpen with the explanation that it wasn't so much him as that other pitchers just took his spot. Now, Vogelsong will get his first start as a Pirate since Sept. 29, 2004, after Wednesday's scheduled starter Francisco Liriano was scratched with hamstring discomfort. Quite a bit has changed since that day ... Read More
Starling Marte’s grand slam powers Pirates’ comeback win
Pittsburgh Pirates hitting coach Jeff Branson gave Starling Marte some last minute advice as the right-handed cleanup hitter prepared to face J.J. Hoover with the bases loaded. It was a simple message, really: Keep your foot down. For three games and 7.2 innings on Friday night (the fourth game of the season), the Pirates hadn't connected on a home run, but all of that was about to change. Hoover made a mistake and threw a pitch right down the middle of the plate, and Marte made him pay. ... Read More
McCutchen continues producing in loss
Andrew McCutchen openly admits that he was not 100 percent at the beginning of last season. His leg injury was especially difficult because that is where he gets his power from. This season McCutchen made it a point to work on his legs in the off-season and it has served him well. McCutchen struck again in the first inning of Sunday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays hitting an opposite field home run. He has now homered in three consecutive games and four of the past five. That would ... Read More
Pirates offseason analyzed: New additions
It has been a busy time all around baseball as the 2015 season is over and teams are trying to find the right pieces to make a run toward the 2016 World Series. The Pittsburgh Pirates are no different and have welcomed some faces, while saying goodbye to other ones. Hellos: Oct. 24 Pirates acquire Trevor Williams - This was a bizarre acquisition as this was later revealed to be compensation for the Pirates losing their "pitching guru" in Jim Benedict, someone whose opinion had high ... Read More