The month of June has been very generous for Andrew McCutchen in his four years in the Majors as it normally is the month to jump start his season. It was the case last year as it helped propel him into the MVP picture. So far this June, he's posted a .351/.711/1.128 line with 11 doubles, eight home runs and 25 RBI in 24 games. "I'm just seeing the ball and hitting the ball," said McCutchen. "I think I definitely have spurts where I feel good. I feel really good now and I'm just trying to ... Read More
Polanco Homers for First Time at PNC in Pirates 5-2 Victory
Gregory Polanco showed a sold out PNC Park crowd what he can do with his power as his three-run homer propelled the Pirates to a 5-2 victory over the Mets on Thursday night. The fifth inning shot into the Clemente seats helped secure another victory for Vance Worley, who went seven innings allowing one run on seven hits. It wasn't Worley's strongest start, but he was able to work out of a couple of jams with the aid of his defense. With runners on first and second with two out in the ... Read More
Altoona Curve to Pay Tribute to Evan Chambers with Jersey Auction
CURVE, Pa. – This Sunday the Altoona Curve, Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, will be paying tribute to 2012 Curve outfielder Evan Chambers, who passed away at his home in Florida during the offseason. The Curve will be wearing jerseys that are in the likeness of the 1992 home uniforms worn by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday and each uniform will carry a patch on the left sleeve with the initials “EC”. Chambers, who played 31 games in a Curve uniform during the 2012 season, was ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 6/26: Injury Update, Hurdle Discusses Harrison as an All-Star
Good afternoon from PNC Park where today the Pirates (39-39) begin a 10-game homestand against the New York Mets (36-42). Vance Worley (1-0, 1.98 ERA) will oppose Daisuke Matsuzaka (3-1, 2.68 ERA). Injury Update Starling Marte: "The neck, the head aren't really an issue," said manager Clint Hurdle. "He's being treated for that right-middle finger. He's gone and tried to hit, so we're going to find out what the availability he'll have tonight. It's better than it was yesterday, but we're going ... Read More
Price Outduels Morton as Rays Salvage Game from Pirates
Charlie Morton's rough first inning proved costly as David Price went 8 1/3 strong to defeat the Pirates 5-1 on Wednesday afternoon. Morton didn't have the most adequate start allowing three runs in the first. Desmond Jennings led off the game for the Rays with a single and quickly scored as Ben Zobrist followed with a RBI triple that was misplayed by Andrew McCutchen. Zobrist then scored on a fielding error by Jordy Mercer. The Rays got their third run of the inning off of a Kevin Kiermaier ... Read More
Gerrit Cole to Start Saturday
Bill Brink of the PG has reported that Pirates starter Gerrit Cole will be activated from the 15-day DL (shoulder fatigue) and will start on Saturday against the Mets at PNC Park. Cole will start Saturday, Hurdle said, but he declined to say what that meant for the rest of the rotation.— Bill Brink (@BrinkPG) June 25, 2014 Prior to his injury, Cole posted a 6-3 record with a 3.64 ERA with 69 strikeouts and 25 walks in 76 2/3 IP. In his previous seven starts, Cole was 4-1 while ... Read More
Pirates Hold Off Rays 6-5
Jeff Locke took a strong start into the eighth inning as the Pirates defeated the Rays 6-5 to at least earn a road series victory. Locke was given a good cushion before allowing his first run of the game as the Pirates (39-38) led 4-0 after three innings. Andrew McCutchen started the scoring in the first with a RBI groundout. Cutch helped add to the lead in the third. Starling Marte and McCutchen recorded RBI singles and Neil Walker -- in his first game off of the DL -- hit a sac fly. Locke ... Read More
Pirates’ Josh Bell named to Futures Game
Perhaps the best part of Major League Baseball's All-Star Break has nothing to do with watching the game's best take the field at the same time or MLB's top sluggers launch balls into orbit during the Home Run Derby. Instead it is getting the opportunity to watch the showcase game for the next wave of young superstars known as the Futures Game. And just like years of the past, the Pittsburgh Pirates will be represented, this time by outfielder Josh Bell. The former second-round pick is ... Read More
Walker Activated from DL, Tabata DFA’d
The Pirates have activated 2B Neil Walker from the 15-day DL (appendicitis). To make room on the active roster, the team has outrighted Jose Tabata to Triple-A Indianapolis. Prior to his injury, Walker was on track for a career year batting .280/.452/.805 with eight doubles, 11 home runs and 35 RBI in 62 games. He currently sits in second in NL All Star voting for second basemen (1,328,959) behind Chase Utley (2,090,110). Tabata started the season off of the bench and took over in right ... Read More
Volquez, Alvarez Power Pirates Past Rays
Edinson Volquez threw eight innings of one-run ball as the Pirates got back to the .500 mark with a 8-1 win over the Rays on Monday night. Volquez (5-6) experienced a little trouble in the first and second before settling down. Desmond Jennings led off the bottom of the first, moved to second on a groundout and scored on a James Loney RBI single. The Rays (31-47) threatened again in the second, but Volquez was able to get Ryan Hanigan to ground into an inning-ending double play. Volquez ... Read More