Join us live now as we discuss the Pirates late-season surge, the Steelers loss on Thursday, Pitt improving to 3-0 and the state of the NFL. ... Read More
Cubs break out bats in 6-4 win over Pirates
The Cubs capitalized on Jeff Locke's third inning control problems and the Pirates offense was stagnant against Felix Doubront as Chicago evened up the three-game series with a 6-4 victory over the Bucs on Saturday night. Locke was messy with his location in the third inning allowing the Cubs (65-83) to take the lead. Arismendy Alcantara led the inning off with a single. Javier Baez followed hitting a changeup into the left field bleachers to make it 2-0. Luis Valbuena then doubled and later ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 9/13: Hurdle discusses offensive success, Locke’s control
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (78-69) look to extend their winning streak to four games as they face the Cubs (64-83). Jeff Locke (7-4, 3.60 ERA) will take the hill and oppose Felix Doubront (1-1, 2.25 ERA). Injury Update Starling Marte is out of the lineup once again with "elbow discomfort". He is available to pinch-run if needed. "He went out and swung a bat. He tried to do some defensive work and he's still limited in a couple of different areas," said manager Clint ... Read More
Complete offensive effort boosts Pirates over Cubs 7-3
An all-around offensive effort and some gritty pitching by Gerrit Cole helped the Pirates keep their Wild Card lead with a 7-3 victory over the Cubs on Friday night. The Pirates (78-69) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on RBI singles by Chris Stewart and Neil Walker. Both teams then traded runs over the next two innings thanks to two solo home runs against Cole and RBI from Jordy Mercer and Ike Davis. The Cubs (64-82) major threat came against Cole in the sixth when Chris Coghlan walked to ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 9/12: Hurdle discusses Cole’s command
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (77-69) begin their final homestand of the regular season against the Cubs (64-82). Gerrit Cole (8-5, 3.89 ERA) will start it off for the Bucs and will oppose Tsuyoshi Wada (4-2, 2.95 ERA). Injury Update Starling Marte's status for tonight's game is TBD after being hit in the elbow with a pitch in last night's game. "He's in the cage [pregame] to see how he feels from a physical standpoint swinging the bat," said manager Clint Hurdle. Pedro ... Read More
Liriano pushes Pirates closer to Cardinals
Francisco Liriano threw his best outing of the season throwing eight innings of shutout ball in a 4-1 victory over the Phillies on Thursday night to inch them closer to the division-leading Cardinals. Liriano didn't allow a single Phillies baserunner — five total in the game — to reach third base. He did, however, escape a jam of first and second in the third inning with no out. Liriano struck out Phillies starter A.J. Burnett, retired Ben Revere on a lineout to left and struck out Maikel ... Read More
Power and speed lift Pirates past Phillies
The speed of Andrew McCutchen and the power of Russell Martin helped push the Pirates past the Phillies 6-3 Wednesday night to keep their 1 1/2 game lead in the National League Wild Card race. With the Pirates (76-69) trailing the Phillies 3-2 in the fifth inning, Andrew McCutchen showed everyone his rib injury isn't affecting him as he hit a deep fly that hit off of the heightened wall in left-center field. The ball took an odd bounce towards center allowing McCutchen and his speed to ... Read More
Alvarez diagnosed with stress reaction in foot
Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Pedro Alvarez has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in the 4th metatarsal in his left foot. The typical recovery time for this type of injury is 4-6 weeks. Alvarez has not played in a game for the Pirates since September 5, and he hasn't started a game for the Pirates since August 26. ... Read More
Can John Holdzkom impact bullpen for stretch run?
John Holdzkom is quickly becoming a household name in the city of Pittsburgh. Though he has only been with the Pirates for less than two weeks, and has a grand total of three appearances over that span, the well-traveled reliever is certainly getting a lot of attention. With an imposing 6'7 frame, and a fastball clocking in the upper 90s, Holdzkom stands out on the mound. Over his first three appearances, he's used that overpowering fastball to record six strikeouts and get his first major ... Read More
Pirate bats continue to remain hot in 6-4 win over Phillies
Jeff Locke recovered from his bad outing in St. Louis to throw seven innings of one-run ball and the Pirates lumber remained hot with a four-run eighth propelling the Bucs to their fourth straight win, a 6-4 victory over the Phillies. Locke retired the first ten batters he faced before experiencing trouble in the fourth. Ryan Howard hit a two-out single to put the Phillies (66-77) on the board. Marlon Byrd followed with a double putting runners on second and third, but Locke was able to ... Read More