The Pittsburgh Pirates offense had 12 hits in a series opening 10-8 victory against the Atlanta Braves. Charlie Morton [3-0] did just enough to earn a victory against his former team, throwing five innings allowing four runs [three earned]. Morton also walked three batters and struck out one on 82 pitches, 50 of which were for strikes. Morton once again displayed his ground ball ability as the Braves had nine ground ball outs and two fly balls. The Braves scored two runs in the first ... Read More
Cervelli is no Martin, but still quality find for Pirates
It’s another year and another former New York Yankee catcher is having success with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Almost feels like clockwork at this point. First it was signing Russell Martin in 2013, and then last year it was acquiring Chris Stewart for cash. This year, it was trading for Francisco Cervelli. The 29-year-old has been a quality backstop for the Pirates and is only costing the team $987,500 this year. But so far this year, how does Cervelli stack up against Martin, who signed ... Read More
Pirates secure series sweep
It took a while for Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer to hit his first home run of the season, however his second came in Wednesday's 5-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants and represented the winning run. This is the first Pirates sweep in San Francisco since May 14-16 2004 and the third sweep in the past four series. The Pirates have won 11 of their past 13 games and at 29-24 are a season best five games above .500. As was the case in the first two games, it was the Giants who ... Read More
Pirates offense backs Burnett to secure series win
It was the second consecutive below average outing for A.J. Burnett, however the Pittsburgh Pirates offense, led by a four-hit performance from Andrew McCutchen, defeated the San Francisco Giants 7-4 Tuesday night. McCutchen fell a home run short of hitting for the cycle as the Pirates secured a series win against the Giants who coming into the series had won 13 of their past 17 games. McCutchen is batting .292 on the season now and is 36-for-89 in his last 25 games, good for a .404 ... Read More
POLL: Who is the face of Pittsburgh sports?
With so many stars on Pittsburgh's three major professional teams, one has to wonder who other cities consider the face of the city when they about Pittsburgh sports. [poll id="137"] ... Read More
Down on the farm: Looking at Pirates pitching depth in AAA without Kingham
It’s a reality Pittsburgh Pirate fans are becoming all too familiar with over the last couple seasons – a top pitching prospect needs Tommy John Surgery. This time, it’s Nick Kingham. Kingham is considered by pundits as the third-best pitching prospect in the Pirates system, and a guy that was expected to make the majors at some point in 2015. Now his big league debut is going to have until late 2016, or maybe even 2017. The surgery obviously gives the Bucs one less depth option this season ... Read More
Cole recovers from two-run first in Pirates win
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle called "uncle" to reporters pregame when describing his admiration for what the San Francisco Giants have done in recent seasons. In Monday night's game however, the Pirates did anything but, winning a 4-3 contest at AT&T Park. The Pirates could have panicked when Andrew McCutchen's two sacrifice flies were caught by Angel Pagan and Hunter Pence in above average defensive plays, however instead viewed both as two runs which undid a two-run first ... Read More
Locke struggles as Pirates split series
Pittsburgh Pirates fans have been hard on Jeff Locke at times this season and tonight's four-inning outing as part of a 7-1 loss to the San Diego Padres will not help the pitcher's case. Locke [3-3] allowed all seven runs [six of which were earned] on eight hits while throwing 89 pitches. In two career starts against the Padres Locke has allowed 10 earned runs in nine innings of work while posting an 0-2 record. The Padres scored at least one run in each inning Locke pitched, which allowed ... Read More
Morton goes seven innings in Pirates win
Charlie Morton came into Saturday night's start with five career RBI and one win on the season. Each increased by one during the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-2 victory over the San Diego Padres. Morton [2-0] pitched his second consecutive seven inning outing surrendering two runs [one earned] on three hits. He threw 85 pitches, 57 of which were for strikes. Morton also got 16 ground ball outs and no fly ball outs in his outing. "It was a big boost," Josh Harrison said to Root Sports. "He went out ... Read More
Scahill’s miscues end Pirates streak
Rob Scahill's luck following a walk and an error ran out when Derek Norris, previously 0-for-4 with four strikeouts hit a grand slam to center field. This secured a 6-2 win for the San Diego Padres and ended the Pittsburgh Pirates seven game losing streak. "You've got to finish innings and we didn't help ourselves late," manager Clint Hurdle said to assembled media following the game. The Pirates wasted an outing from Francisco Liriano in which he allowed no runs on three hits in six ... Read More