Jared Hughes and Rob Scahill spent a few minutes on a Sunday morning discussing their bullpen catcher Heberto "Herbie" Andrade and what he meant to the team. Immediately, the two together said the same two words, "Herbie wins." Andrade's competitiveness has allowed him to persevere and make a difference at the major league level for the past 12 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Andrade played a game as a young child in Venezuela where he substituted bottle caps for balls ... Read More
Kang named NL Rookie of the Month
Prior to Monday's Pittsburgh Pirates game it was revealed that Jung Ho Kang was named National League Rookie of the Month. Kang batted .379 in July with an OPS of 1.064. He batted .379 with 33 hits and a .443 on-base percentage. The voting for this category took place over the weekend. Gerrit Cole [Sept. 2013] was the last Pirates player to accomplish this feat and Pedro Alvarez [Sept. 2010] was the most recent position player. He has continued this hot streak into August as he has ... Read More
Pirates pregame 8/3: Pirates return home; face Cubs in game with wild card implications
Following a four-game split against the Cincinnati Reds, the Pittsburgh Pirates return home for six games first with a National League Central series against the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs come in tied for second place with the San Francisco Giants in the NL Wild Card race and four games behind the Pirates for first. “We’ve been playing some really good baseball lately and I think we have a really good shot," Kris Bryant said. "Our team has really good chemistry and overall we’re excited about ... Read More
Burnett season, career not over
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett will not see his career cut short by injury. Jon Morosi of Fox Sports has reported that the right-handed pitcher has a strained flexor tendon and his UCL is intact. “Anytime you’re not on the field it’s frustrating, but of all of the news that came this was the most positive," Burnett said. "I did a PRP shot today after the MRI and we’ll go from there. It’s a matter of resting and healing. We’re shooting for four weeks and waiting for the pain to go ... Read More
Pirates earn split; Morton wins for first time since June
Charlie Morton had not won a start since June 27 and a road contest since June 5. Both of those changed as the Pittsburgh Pirates won 3-0 against the Cincinnati Reds. The Pirates victory means that both teams split the four-game series. Morton [7-4] set the side down in order on six pitches in the first inning and struck out the side in the second. He allowed two base runner, Ivan DeJesus Jr. in the third inning and Eugenio Suarez in the seventh inning to reach scoring position. He ... Read More
Pirates defense falters; can not complete late comeback in loss
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole was looking for his first career win against the Cincinnati Reds. Cole left the game still looking for his first victory against the Reds. The Pirates fell 4-3 to the Reds Saturday evening. Cole [14-5] has defeated every other National League Central opponent at least once. He has gone six innings in 17 of his 21 starts this season and the lone four he has not reached that mark are all against the Reds. "They have confidence when they go up against ... Read More
POLL: What grade should the Pirates gets for their deadline moves?
With the acquisitions of Aramis Ramirez, Joakim Soria, Michael Morse and J.A. Happ at the deadline, how would you grade the Pirates deadline moves? [poll id="142"] ... Read More
Pirates’ buy-low-high-reward deadline could pay off
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington has never been one for flashy transactions, and his approach at the trade deadline was no different. And for now, that is OK. Huntington has always been shy about trading his top prospects, but at the same time he said he wanted to improve the club via trade this year. So far he has managed to do both. But how much the Pirates have improved now that the non-waiver trade deadline has passed remains to be seen. Outside of the trade for ... Read More
Defense shines in Pirates victory
Joakim Soria was making his Pittsburgh Pirates debut and loaded the bases while loading the bases. He then fell behind Brayan Pena 3-0 before making hard contact on a 3-1 offering. The Cincinnati Reds appeared poise to tie or lead the game on the play, however Soria stuck his glove out and ended the inning to Pena's surprise. Following a 10-run loss Thursday, the Pirates came back and tied the four-game series with a 5-4 victory. The Pirates finish the month at a National League best 17-9 ... Read More
Pirates place Burnett on DL; recall LaFromboise
A disappointing second half, one which he claims is the last of his career continued for Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett as he was placed on the 15-day disabled list with elbow inflammation. Burnett will be replaced in the rotation by J.A. Happ who was acquired earlier Friday afternoon in a trade with the Seattle Mariners. Bobby LaFromboise will take Burnett's 25-man roster spot. Earlier in the day when meeting with assembled media manager Clint Hurdle stated that he had a ... Read More