For the second consecutive series, the Pirates have been swept. Despite all three games being decided by less than two runs, the Pirates were unable to cash in on opportunities throughout this series. A.J. Burnett got the start for the Pirates, and suffered the loss. He pitched six innings and allowed two runs on six hits. He struck out eight and despite posting a decent, and quality start, did not get help from the offense giving him the loss. Jared Hughes threw a scoreless inning which ... Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates release 2013 schedule
Pittsburgh, PA - The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced their 2013 regular season schedule, which will feature the Bucs opening the season at PNC Park versus National League Central Division rival Chicago Cubs on Monday, April 1. In addition there will be a total of 39 N.L. Central Divisional home games, including the first nine home games of the season, against the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds throughout the reg- ular season as the five teams ... Read More
Pirates lose to Reds in 14 innings
Missed opportunities in extra innings really came back to haunt the Pirates tonight, as they dropped a 14-inning affair in Cincinnati by a score of 4-3. Wandy Rodriguez had a very solid start for the Pirates tonight. He was charged with three runs allowed, despite only one of them coming when he was in the game. He pitched 6.2 innings, struck out five, and was pulled after 89 pitches. He left the game with two runners on and Jared Hughes allowed a two run double to Dioner Navarro which tied ... Read More
Will this season be successful if the Pirates miss the playoffs?
At this point last month, you were considered negative for saying the Pirates were going to collapse and miss the playoffs. The city was in. The true fans and bandwagon fans alike had this team's back. The players believed and the clubhouse was more alive than ever. The public relations staff had to send out an email about ways to purchase playoff tickets. The last time that happened, email was hardly around. The fans waited 19 years for this. They've waited 19 years of constant reminders that ... Read More
Pirates swept by Cubs
Pirates fans hopes of making the playoffs are starting to fade away as they were swept this afternoon by the Chicago Cubs. With a home stand against two of the worst ball clubs in the league, the Bucs finished with a record of 2-4. Jeff Locke had a solid start for the Pirates. He pitched six innings and allowed two runs. The bullpen did not help out his solid effort though as Jason Grilli blew the game in the top of the eighth, for the second game in a row. After the Bucs fought back to tie ... Read More
Pirates lose in late innings to Cubs
The Pirates have lost the first two games of the series to the Chicago Cubs as they were, for the second time this year, dominated by Jeff Samardzija. The Pirates struck early against Samardzija as Pedro Alvarez drove in two runs on a single. The Bucs loaded the bases that inning, but were only able to get two. James McDonald started for the Pirates and once again was off of his game. He only pitched 5.2 innings and allowed three runs on seven hits, one of the runs coming off an Alfonso ... Read More
The Pirates commit seven errors in 12-2 loss to Cubs
Before each game, Kristy Robinson and I try to predict the Pirates' starting pitchers line. Today was A.J. Burnett. We both had Burnett going 7.2 innings and dominating the Cubs. As for the runs, I said I could see a few unearned runs coming and told Kristy that I felt a couple errors were going to happen that would cost the Pirates. I had no idea it would be this bad however. It started with a Brock Holt error in the first that would eventually lead to Luis Valbuena scoring. But for Holt, ... Read More
Jason Grilli: The turn around of a career
The bullpen for the Pirates this season has been a huge key to the teams’ success, and Jason Grilli has perhaps been the most effective pitcher out of it. The veteran reliever has played in the major leagues with Florida, the Chicago White Sox, Detroit, Colorado, Texas, and Pittsburgh throughout his career. While pitching for the Pirates this year, Grilli has seen fantastic success as the eighth inning set up man. “I was never an eighth inning guy and I never had this opportunity up until this ... Read More
Brock Holt the everyday shortstop?
I'm pulling for Brock Holt. I really am. I was excited to watch him collect four hits last night as the Pirates defeated the Astros in a crucial game. Heck, I like Holt a lot just for the hashtags that people use around his name. (Lightning Holt, Party like a Brock-star, Brock you like a Hurricane are some of my favorites). But as expected when a player does well in his first handful of games, especially when they can play middle infield, the question comes if this guy can play shortstop or ... Read More
Pirates lose fourth in a row, fall 5-1 to Astros
The Pirates are a tough team to figure out. Within a two week span, they got swept by the Padres before taking two-of-three against the Cardinals. Just when it looks like they figured it out, they get swept by the Brewers in Milwaukee with their three best pitchers starting for them. Thank goodness for the Buccos, the Dodgers, Cardinals and other teams in the wild card race are struggling as well. Entering today's game against the Houston Astros, the Pirates remained just 1.5 out of the race. ... Read More