Gregory Polanco misplayed a Marlon Byrd line drive in the ninth inning allowing Todd Frazier to score the winning run in another Reds walk-off of the Pirates to complete a three-game sweep in Cincinnati. The dropped liner finished off a disastrous ninth inning by Pirate reliever Rob Scahill as he allowed Frazier — who hit two home runs and knocked in four RBI in the first two games of the series — to lead off the inning with a double. The Reds (3-0) then received a gift when Frazier was able ... Read More
Pirates lose in extra innings
In the second of a three game season opening series, the Pittsburgh Pirates shook off a 2-hour 34 minute rain delay but could not do the same with the Cincinnati Reds falling 5-4 early Thursday morning in 11 innings. Both starters had high pitch counts in this game with Gerrit Cole departing after five innings for the Pirates and Mike Leake 5.2 with the Reds. Both received no decisions. Cole threw 92 pitches, 56 of which were strikes while allowing five hits and three runs. Cole also ... Read More
Pirates sign Josh Harrison to long-term deal
The Pittsburgh Pirates obviously believe that Josh Harrison's 2014 season wasn't a fluke, as the two parties have agreed to a long-term contract that will keep Harrison in Pittsburgh through 2018, with club options for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. "We are pleased to make this commitment to Josh and that Josh has made this commitment to the Pirates," said Pirates general manager Neal Huntington in a team-issued press release. "Josh is a very talented, well-rounded player who helps our team win ... Read More
COLUMN: Travis Snider is latest player Pirates let walk too soon
First off, let's get one thing straight; Pirates' management has done a fantastic job to turn the team around in a few short years. Not too long ago, it was hoping and praying that the Pirates could win as many games as they would lose. Now, national media outlets are predicting the Pirates to win the World Series. Seriously, let that sink in for a minute. Back? OK, let's continue then. The one issue I do have is not that the Pirates are too cheap, or they let their star players walk/trade ... Read More
Who the hell is Monica Wignot?
When the Pittsburgh March Madness started, everyone had the same expectations. It was going to be the four No. 1 seeds — Ben Roethlisberger, Sidney Crosby, Andrew McCutchen and Antonio Brown — in the Final Four. That’s just how it works. Except this time, it wasn’t. In the first round, when we logged on to check the results to see who advanced, one result made our jaw drop: #16. Monica Wignot - 459 votes vs. #1. Andrew McCutchen - 455 votes. For the first time ever in a tournament, a ... Read More
Pirates battle fall short late against Reds
Francisco Liriano allowed two hits in seven innings but came away with a no-decision after a 5-2 Opening Day loss to the Cincinnati Reds. “It’s great for Opening Day to come and it's just as great when it gets by you," Manager Clint Hurdle said to assembled media. "We always are challenged when we see Cueto… We made him pitch that was the one upside. I thought our guys went up there and battled. We showed some resiliency to come back and get two late.” Liriano, who was starting his second ... Read More
Pirates relief continues to be a strength
With the recalling of Rob Scahill, the Pittsburgh Pirates completed its bullpen. The bullpen has been a source of strength under the watchful eyes of pitching coach Ray Searage, bullpen coach Euclides Rojas and bullpen catcher Herbie Andrade. Here is a rundown of who will come out of the bullpen to start the season: Antonio Bastardo- The Pirates made what they felt was a low-risk acquisition with Antonio Bastardo from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Joely Rodriguez. Manager Clint ... Read More
Pirates Opening Day roster finalized
The Pittsburgh Pirates, along with every other major league team, finalized their Opening Day roster Sunday at 3 p.m. The Pirates, to the surprise of some, recalled relief pitcher Rob Scahill and designated infielder Pedro Florimon and right-handed pitcher Stolmy Pimentel for assignment. Manager Clint Hurdle had already informed the media on Saturday that relievers Arquimedes Caminero, Jared Hughes and Radhames Liz likely had made the ball club, as well as first baseman/outfielder Andrew ... Read More
2015 MLB predictions and preview
I guess today is technically Opening Night for the 2015 MLB season, but if ESPN isn't carrying the Cubs and Cardinals, did it really happen? Either way, tomorrow is Opening Day, which means baseball All. Day. Long. No upcoming season is complete without a preview piece, so let's take a look at each division, the award winners and the eventual World Series winners. AL East: 1. Baltimore Orioles - Least amount of downside in the division. Resurgent Chris Davis will carry them to the ... Read More
Morton to DL; Worley a part of starting rotation
Following Saturday's 6-4 exhibition game loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, the Pirates placed Charlie Morton on the disabled list with a hip injury. Morton had hip surgery for the second time ending his 2014 season prematurely. He had hip surgery to fix a torn labrum in Oct. 2011. Morton's last appearance in an official major league game was Sep. 16 against the Boston Red Sox. Morton had an 8.47 ERA this spring and in the loss to the Phillies threw 1.2 innings allowing: four hits, six ... Read More