CINCINNATI -- Pirates starter Jeff Locke kept his unbeaten streak alive Wednesday at Great American Ball Park. Closer Jason Grilli couldn't say the same about his own impressive run, blowing his first save of the season en route to a 2-1 loss to the Reds in 13 innings. After Locke threw seven scoreless innings and Mark Melancon gave up just one hit in the eighth, Grilli came on for the ninth looking to match a club record with his 26th straight converted save opportunity. He forced Brandon ... Read More
Down on the farm: Pirates minor league report
Indianapolis (47-25) - In addition to having the best record in the International League, Indianapolis leads the league in ERA (3.32), shutouts (seven) and saves (26)...The team is also tied for the fewest home runs al- lowed (48) in the league...Three pitchers rank in the top 10 in the league in ERA (Gerrit Cole - 5th, 2.91, Andy Oliver - 7th, 3.04 and Kris Johnson - 10th, 3.07)...Andy Oliver ranks second in the league in strikeouts (79) and batting average against (.202)...Tony Sanchez ranks ... Read More
Pirates take game two against Reds
CINCINNATI -- Pirates manger Clint Hurdle had a feeling Reds starter Mat Latos was due for a loss. A dominant performance from Charlie Morton and a big first inning from the Pirates' offense turned Hurdle's feeling into reality, as Pittsburgh beat Cincinnati, 4-0, on Tuesday at Great American Ball Park. Entering the game, Latos was 10-0 in his last 21 starts. He suffered five blown saves during his unbeaten streak, including two against the Pirates this season. In the second leg of a ... Read More
Pirates sign first round pick McGuire
Pittsburgh, Pa. --- The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced that they have agreed to terms with catcher Reese McGuire, the club's first-round selection and 14th selection overall in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft. The announcement was made by Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington and Joe DelliCarri, Pirates Director of Scouting. As a senior this year at Kentwood (WA) High School, McGuire hit .436 with 13 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 20 RBI. He was rated as the ... Read More
Reds top Pirates via long ball; Chapman’s at it again
After a successful homestand, the Pirates embarked on game one of a nine-game road trip today against the Cincinnati Reds. Taking the hill for the Pirates was Francisco Liriano, beneficiary of 12 runs last time he was out. This time, in the launching pad, the Pirates were able to muster just one run in its 4-1 loss to the Red Legs. Liriano gave up just two runs over six innings, but the Pirates were unable to get the bats going. In the other dugout, the home team took advantage of the ... Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates Minor League Report
Building from within has always been the Pirates’ mantra. That’s been no more evident than this season from Gerrit Cole’s electrifying debut, Jordy Mercer’s offensive boost at short, and a solid spot start by Brandon Cumpton. So which Pirates’ are sailing smoothly through the minor leagues and which are struggling to keep their head above water? The Good Vic Black/RP AAA: The closer at Indianapolis, Black sports an excellent 2.62 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 24 innings of work. According to ... Read More
Father before athlete: What it’s like to be a big league daddy
Growing up, the 25 men on the Pittsburgh Pirates dreamt about reaching the Major Leagues. When they finally reached that level, they held the title that little boys everywhere were jealous of: Major Leaguer. Playing baseball in the backyard, kids would emulate their favorite player in hopes of one day making it to "The Show." For some athletes, the title of Major Leaguer or professional athlete isn't the only title that matters. Ask some of the Pirates and they'll tell you there is one that ... Read More
Straight out of Cumpton, Pirates lose in extras
PITTSBURGH -- Brandon Cumpton may be new to the National League Central fight, but he knows the Pirates' rope-a-dope drill -- help them spar with the other guys' marquee starting pitcher long enough to keep the match within one good uppercut, then level that on their bullpen. It worked again on Saturday -- except for the final bell. After the Pirates had clawed into a tie on Neil Walker's single in the eighth and Travis Snider's homer with one out in the ninth, Juan Uribe's RBI single and ... Read More
Yinzer of the Week: Andrew McCutchen
The Pittsburgh Pirates have taken over the town of Pittsburgh now that the Penguins have been eliminated from the NHL playoffs. The Buccos won four of their six games this week, including two big wins against the defending World Series Champions. Everyone knows that there's one man on this roster who can step up and be labeled as a superstar, and, this week, he can add Yinzer of the Week to his repertoire. Andrew McCutchen has been heating up as of late, trying to overcome his slow start. The ... Read More
Locke goes seven strong as Pirates down Dodgers 3-0
The Pittsburgh Pirates are the fifth team to reach 40 wins this season and Jeff Locke has been there since the first one. In fact, he's the only pitcher remaining in the rotation since Opening Day. AJ Burnett and Wandy Rodriguez are both on the DL, James McDonald is in AAA on a rehab assignment and doesn't look close to returning, and Jonathan Sanchez was outright released back in early May. That left Locke, who did nothing but go out and mow down Dodger hitters through seven ... Read More