The Pirates scored eight runs over the final two innings to comeback and defeat the Diamondbacks 9-4 on Friday night. Down 4-1 with one out in the eighth, the Pirates (58-51) started the comeback. Josh Harrison tripled and scored on an Andrew McCutchen RBI double. Pedro Alvarez then hit a pinch-hit 2 RBI double to tie things at four. They would be far from done as they put five more runs up in the top of the ninth. Jordy Mercer gave the Pirates the lead with a RBI double. Michael Martinez, ... Read More
Neal Huntington should be given benefit of the doubt despite quiet deadline
The 2014 MLB trade deadline came and went on Thursday and the Pittsburgh Pirates were once again shut out from the party. While big names like Jon Lester, David Price and John Lackey were moved, Pirates’ general manager Neal Huntington didn’t pull the trigger on any move that could help this team down the stretch run. And that’s just fine. While Pirates’ fans everywhere are disappointed and outraged about not landing a big star at the end of the day Huntington should have at least ... Read More
What we learned from the MLB trade deadline
For baseball fans and the journalists who cover the game, the trade deadline is one of the biggest days of the season. It's a time to see what might happen to either make a team better for a playoff run, or how a team might build for the future. This was my first deadline working as a sports writer; coffee brewed, computer(s) on, Twitter feed constantly being refreshed — definitely a different feeling from some of the other deadlines I can remember from the past. Throughout you are hearing ... Read More
Pirates stay put at trade deadline
For the second-straight year, the Pirates didn't make any major moves at the trade deadline. Pirates GM Neal Huntington and the front office were in numerous talks with other teams as reports had them asking for the likes of Lester, Price, Lackey, Bonifacio and various bullpen arms. At the end of the day, however, the asking price was too high for them as the Pirates would have needed to let go a package deal that included the likes of Josh Bell, Tyler Glasnow, Jameson Taillon, Alan Hanson , ... Read More
Pirates claim RHP Angel Sanchez from White Sox
The Pirates made their first minor move of the trade deadline in claiming AA RHP Angel Sanchez from the White Sox. Sanchez has played between the Marlins, Rays and White Sox AA affiliates this season posting a combined 2-12 record with a 6.60 ERA while posting a 1.607 WHIP and striking out 54. To make room for Sanchez on the 40-man roster, the Pirates have designated RHP Josh Wall for assignment. Stay with PSN all day as the 4 PM trade deadline nears. Follow @TBerardi_OVA (Photo ... Read More
Cardinals trade for starters
In the Past 24 hours, the Cardinals have traded for two starting pitchers in Justin Masterson and John Lackey while the Pirates look for their first acquisition. Masterson was 4-6 with a 5.51 ERA in 19 starts for the Indians this year while posting a 1.653 WHIP and striking out 93. He hasn't made a start since July 7th due to a sore knee, but will start Saturday against the Brewers. Lackey was 11-7 with a 3.60 ERA in 21 starts for the Red Sox while posting a 1.231 WHIP and striking out ... Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates trade deadline predictions
As I sit here writing, Pittsburgh Pirates’ general manager Neal Huntington has around eight hours remaining to figure out exactly what he wants to do in order to shape this team for the stretch run. Any trade deadline is a great day for sports fans, but especially baseball’s trade deadline. It’s easy to say just pull the trigger and add a guy like Jon Lester, but put yourself in Huntington’s shoes for a minute. Do you mortgage parts of your future for a guy you are going to only have for ... Read More
Mental errors cost Pirates in 7-5 loss
A major baserunning gaffe and a wide-throw on a wild pitch proved costly as the Pirates fell to the Giants 7-5 on Wednesday afternoon. With the Pirates (57-50) ahead 5-4 with one out in the sixth inning and Travis Snider and Gaby Sanchez on second and third, Chris Stewart walked. Snider didn't realize first base was unoccupied and started walking towards third. The Giants realized what was happening and tagged out Snider for the second out. Sanchez saw the play unfold and tried to get into a ... Read More
Liriano quiets Giants in Pirates 3-1 win
The Pirates have pulled to within one game of the NL Central lead with a 3-1 victory over the Giants on Tuesday night. The Pirates (57-49) scored early for a second night in a row against Tim Hudson as they scored once in the first and twice in the second. Josh Harrison started things off with a lead-off home run to right . They got another big blast in the second from Travis Snider when he followed an Ike Davis single with a home run to right to extend the lead to 3-0. From there, Hudson ... Read More
Trading for Lester is a risky proposition
On the surface, it's hard not to love the idea of adding Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester to the Pirates rotation. After all, we are talking about a pitcher with some impressive credentials. Two World Series titles, including a 3-0 record with a 0.43 ERA in those biggest of games. You can also add three All-Star selections, including a trip to Minneapolis earlier this month after another impressive first-half performance, highlighted by a paltry 2.53 ERA. There's no question Lester has ... Read More