Francisco Liriano threw six shutout innings and Andrew McCutchen put the only run on the board to help the Pirates beat the Braves 1-0 on Monday night. Liriano had some control issues on the night allowing three hits and walking four, but was able to keep the Braves (76-80) off of the board. The only major threat came against him in the bottom of the first inning. Emilio Bonifacio walked to start the game and advanced to second and third on two stolen bases. Freddie Freeman then walked with ... Read More
PSN Player of the Week: Russell Martin
Josh Harrison move on over. It's time for another Pirate to have an amazing moment and steal your thunder, and with it, earn the Pittsburgh Sporting News Player of the Week. This week the winner is Pirates catcher, Russell Martin. "Super Russ" as he is known by teammates and fans alike, had one of the biggest hits of the season, a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning off of the Brewers reliever Jonathan Broxton to give the Pirates an eventual 3-2 win. In a contest ... Read More
Worley, Martin draw Pirates closer to postseason in 1-0 win
A Russell Martin one-out RBI single in the seventh inning was all Vance Worley and Tony Watson needed as the Pirates pulled off a 1-0 victory over the Brewers bringing their playoff magic number down to three. Martin's two-strike, run scoring single — He accounted for four of five Pirates RBI in the series — was the first hit out of the infield as the Pirates (84-71) recorded three infield hits up to that point — two by Josh Harrison and one by Andrew McCutchen to start the inning — against ... Read More
Brewers stay alive with 1-0 win over Pirates
The Brewers kept their Wild Card hopes alive for one more night with a 1-0 victory over the Pirates in front of a packed house at PNC Park on Saturday night. Pirates starter Edinson Volquez threw seven scoreless innings while allowing three hits and three walks. The Brewers had four men in scoring position, but Volquez buckled down to get inning-ending strikeouts in three of the instances. It was a solid outcome for the right-hander after having a high pitch count early. Brewers starter ... Read More
Harrison on the verge of an unexpected batting title
If you told me in March that Josh Harrison would be leading the National League batting race on September 20th, I'd most likely laugh at you. Looks like the last laugh is on me as Harrison stands one point ahead of Justin Morneau for the batting lead going into Saturday's games. Although, I wasn't the only one that was skeptical that he would be in this position at the start of the season. "Considering what my role was at the beginning of the season, obviously not, but as I got the opportunity ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 9/20: Hurdle discusses the rotation’s recent success
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (83-70) look to put a stranglehold on the N.L. Wild Card race against the Brewers (79-75). Edinson Volquez (12-7, 3.27 ERA) will oppose Matt Garza (8-8, 3.74 ERA). Playoff Update -- With the comeback win last night, the Pirates extended their Wild Card lead over the Brewers to 4 1/2 games. -- The Giants lost last night to pull the Pirates to within one game of the first Wild Card spot (home field in the Wild Card game). -- The Cardinals held off ... Read More
Martin’s late home run lifts Pirates past Brewers
The Pirates were held to four hits against Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo in his seven innings of work, but a three-run home run by Russell Martin against Milwaukee reliever Jonathan Broxton in the eighth helped the Bucs pull of a 4-2 win in front of a playoff atmosphere at PNC Park on Friday night. The Brewers (79-75) were rolling along behind Gallardo after scoring twice off of Pirates starter Jeff Locke. Ryan Braun hit a one-out hustle double in the first and scored on a Jonathan Lucroy ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 9/19: Hurdle discusses the magnitude of the Brewers series
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (82-70) look to extend their Wild Card lead against the Brewers (79-74). Jeff Locke (7-5, 3.66 ERA) will start things off for the Bucs against Yovani Gallardo (8-10, 3.59 ERA). Injury Update Charlie Morton experienced "increased discomfort" towards the end of his last start and again during bullpen session yesterday. He will have a follow up exam next week. Vance Worley will start for the Pirates in their home finale on Sunday vs. ... Read More
Vance Worley to start on Sunday vs. Brewers
Pirates starter Charlie Morton felt "increased discomfort" due to a sports hernia after his last start and during a bullpen session on Thursday. Vance Worley will start in his place. "My discomfort got noticeably worse during the last batter that I faced in my start," said Morton. "There was three pitches remaining and I felt something that was really abnormal. I threw a pen [Thursday] and it wasn't good. I was hoping I would feel better, but it wasn't, and now we're here." Vance Worley — ... Read More
Pirates use some luck and solid pitching to beat Red Sox
The Pirates have had their share of bad breaks over the course of the 2014 season and on Thursday night they finally had one fall their way as they held on to defeat the Red Sox 3-2. With the Pirates (82-70) leading 3-2 in the ninth, the Red Sox (66-87) were able to put runners on the corners against Bucs closer Mark Melancon with no out. What happened next may have changed the complexion of the playoff race. Will Middlebrooks hit a grounder down the third base line. The ball then hit ... Read More