BREAKING: MLB has announced Mark Melancon as a 2013 NL All-Star Melancon has been stellar in his first year as a Pirate as he has only allowed four earned runs in 44 1/3 innings of work (0.81 ERA). He has also struck out 46 batters while only walking four. This will be the first All-Star appearance for Melancon, joining fellow Shark Tank member, Jason Grilli in that category. The two have helped lead the Pirates pen to one of the best bullpen ERA’s in the majors with a 2.76 ERA, trailing ... Read More
McCutchen Drives in Two, Bullpen Shuts Down Mets in Win
It’s not how you start but how you finish. The Pittsburgh Pirates held that mantra with a 4-2 victory over the New York Mets Saturday night. Andrew McCutchen drove in two, a game-tying home run in the sixth and a single that provided the go-ahead run in the seventh. The Pirates bullpen continued to work their magic, allowing a lone baserunner in 3 1/3 innings of work. Starting pitching ruled the first four innings. New York’s Carlos Torres held the Pittsburgh bats in check in the early ... Read More
Pirate of the Week: Pedro Alvarez
No Pirates player's name has been tossed around more this week than Pedro Alvarez's. First, he didn't make the initial field in the Home Run Derby. Next, he gets put on the list and some fans hardly even realize it. But throughout the week, Alvarez has, once again, worked his way into the spotlight on this Pirates team with solid performances. Alvarez registered a hit in every single game over the past seven days, something that is rare for the young power hitter. Of those six games, El Toro ... Read More
Pittsburgh’s newest villain makes Pedro Alvarez a hero
If there's one thing a Pittsburgher hates, it's when an outsider disrespects one of their own, even if it was over something completely irrelevant. Something, like, say, the Home Run Derby. To most of the 39,000+ fans in attendance for Friday night's extra innings win, David Wright disrespected a Pirate player and, therefore, the city. When Wright originally selected the NL contestants for the Home Run Derby, Pedro Alvarez's name was left off despite being one of the top home run hitters ... Read More
Pedro Homers, Mercer Walks Off Mets 3 – 2
PNC Park – Jordy Mercer halted his mini-slump in grand fashion as he singled up the middle in the eleventh inning to walk-off the Mets 3 – 2 on Friday night. It was the first hit with runners in scoring position in three attempts in extra frames as the Pirates had the bases loaded in the ninth and first and second in the tenth. “You always want to be that guy -- you always want to get the game winning hit and you want to score the game winning run,” said Mercer. “You go through your ... Read More
A New York State of Mind: Pedro Alvarez Embraces His Roots
“Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis. When I was dead broke, man I couldn’t picture this. 50-inch screen, money green leather sofa. Got two rides, a limousine with a chauffeur.” – Notorious B.I.G. When Brooklyn, New York native Notorious B.I.G. hit the scene with his breakout hit “Juicy” in 1994, Biggie Smalls, aka Christopher Wallace talked about his rough upbringing and coming from nothing to something. While Pedro Alvarez would probably substitute PlayStation 3 and X-Box for Super Nintendo and ... Read More
Bucco Gameday: Hurdle Talks Derby, Walker
PNC Park -- The Pirates (54 – 36), fresh off of a 5 – 0 victory against Oakland on Wednesday, are back at PNC to finish the first half off against the Mets (40 – 48) in the first of three starting tonight. Charlie Morton (1 – 2, 3.38 ERA) will face Jeremy Hefner (4 – 6, 3.39 ERA). Leading Off -- Pedro Alvarez will now be participating in Mondays All-Star Home Run Derby (8pm, ESPN) due to Carlos Gonzalez pulling out due to a finger injury. He is unsure on who will be throwing to him ... Read More
Alvarez to participate in home run derby
Earlier this week, David Wright of the New York Mets announced his selections for the home run derby. Wright went on to select Carlos Gonzalez, Michael Cuddyer and Bryce Harper. Pittsburgh Pirates fans were none to happy to hear that their third baseman, Pedro Alvarez (23 home runs) wasn't selected. While the city was prepared to boo Wright as his Mets come to town for a three-game set this weekend for stiffing Alvarez, but it just so happens that everything worked out. With Gonzalez ... Read More
Ballpark Jukebox: The Evolution of Walk-up Music
2013 was supposed to be Clint Barmes year. After a dreadful campaign last season to start off his Pirates career, Barmes thought he was going to have a comeback season. Unfortunately, he didn't improve and lost his starting position to Jordy Mercer. If you've noticed when Barmes comes to the plate, he now comes out to the tune of "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey. For any ballplayer, it can be a Journey to find the perfect walk-up song that suits them. For years, it's been the ritual that ... Read More
Pirates fall to A’s 2-1, lose fourth consecutive
Stop if you've read this before: The Oakland Athletics beat the Pittsburgh Pirates by the score of 2-1. Okay, don't stop reading, but you get the point. For the second straight night, the Pirates found themselves in the midst of a pitcher's duel with the A's. Last night featured the battle of the All-Stars, Bartolo Colon and Jeff Locke. Tonight, after a one-hour, 40-minute rain delay, two rookies took the mound and followed last night's script rather closely. For the Pirates, Gerrit Cole took ... Read More