Jonathan Sanchez lasted three innings but only allowed two runs as the Pirates took the four-game series from the Braves by a 4 – 2 margin. The Braves got on the board in the second by scratching together four straight singles by Chris Johnson, Reed Johnson, Gerald Laird, and Andrelton Simmons to make it 2 – 0. The Pirates would immediately answer back in the bottom with three straight hits of their own. Pedro Alvarez led off with a single, Russell Martin would then hit an RBI double, and ... Read More
Contreras mentors staff with passion for baseball in return
In the past year, the Pirates added the veteran leadership of A.J. Burnett and Wandy Rodriguez to their clubhouse. In one of the more under the radar moves this offseason, the Pirates signed veteran Jose Contreras to a one-year deal, but Contreras has yet to make his Pirates debut because of injury. Contreras is in Altoona and appeared in Saturday's game, throwing eight pitches through one inning. The 41-year-old pitcher is coming off of Tommy John surgery, but Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle said ... Read More
Pirates answer questions en route to 3-1 victory
Oh how the storylines were in abundance Saturday night in PNC Park. Former Pirates starter, Paul Maholm, returned to Pittsburgh as one of the best pitchers in baseball this year. No, really. Maholm sported a record of 3-0 and had yet to give up a run. Then you have Mr. Jekyll and Hyde (on the field that is) in James McDonald for the Pirates. In some instances, he looks brilliant, but at other times, he's a disaster. "There's two guys. There's the guy that everyone wants to play behind," ... Read More
Pirates have a solid one-two punch with Burnett and Rodriguez
Over the past two seasons, the Pirates have made some moves to bolster their starting rotation. Before last season started, they acquired A.J. Burnett from the New York Yankees. Then half way through last season, they picked up Wandy Rodriguez from the Houston Astros. So far this season, those two have combined to be one of the best one-two punches in all of baseball. A.J. Burnett has a phenomenal season last year as he went 16-10 with a 3.51 earned run average. So far this season he has ... Read More
Martin’s start at third isn’t foreign territory
The Pirates knew that they were getting a sure-handed catcher when they signed Russell Martin to a two-year deal in the offseason. While Martin has done a great job on the receiving end of a relatively shaky pitching staff, his defensive prowess stretches past the catcher position. Martin will get the start tonight at third base, which is a position that Martin said he has a lot of experience at. "It’s [confidence] pretty high. Fielding ground balls and making throws across the diamond, it’s ... Read More
Wandy’s marvelous in return; Pirates face minimum 27 in 6-0 over Braves
PITTSBURGH -- Pitching on a healthy left hamstring, Wandy Rodriguez hamstrung the Atlanta Braves. Jumping back into the fray after having to skip one turn due to a strain of his left hamstring muscle, Rodriguez utterly silenced the team with the Majors' best record and most home runs, holding them to one hit through seven innings of the Pirates' 6-0 victory at PNC Park. In becoming the second Pirates starter in three days to hurl seven innings of one-hit ball -- allowing only a ... Read More
Marte’s living up to his potential
For years now Starling Marte has been seen as the best Pirates’s prospect. His potential is through the roof, and now he is finally showcasing his skill at the Major League level. Last season there was much speculation that he was possible trade bait and could be shipped off for a proven talent such as Justin Upton. Luckily, that wasn’t the case and he stayed right here where he belonged. Marte was signed out of the Dominican Republic by the Pirates in 2007, and up until 2010 he never ... Read More
MLB Power Rankings: Pirates crack top 20 in opening rankings
Now that we are two weeks into the 2013 MLB season, it’s time for my first installment of my 2013 MLB Power Rankings. There have been some surprises early on and some teams have disappointed coming out of the gates. Where does your favorite team rank? Let’s not waste any time and find out. 30. Miami Marlins (2-11): The Marlins offense is worse than expected and that says a lot. Through 13 games they have MLB worst marks in runs scored (23), batting average (.203), on-base percentage ... Read More
Pirates Notebook: Presley Returns to Pittsbugh to help bench
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Prior to the game on Monday, the Pirates optioned right-hander Phil Irwin back to Triple-A Indianapolis and recalled outfielder Alex Presley. The move balanced the roster back to 12 pitchers and 13 position players, but Manager Clint Hurdle elected to bring up Presley, who is an outfielder rather than fill the void of infielder Josh Harrison. "We looked at the schedule and [we are facing] all right-handed pitchers with the exception of [Atlanta Braves starter Paul] Maholm, ... Read More
McDonald exits early after rough outing raising concern about health
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- James McDonald wasn't able to pitch out of the second inning of Monday's start against the St. Louis Cardinals raising concern about his health. The right-hander was charged with eight runs (three earned) on eight hits over just 1.2 innings. It marked his shortest start since April 30th, 2009 with the Los Angeles Dodgers when he allowed three runs on two hits over 1.2 frames with four walks and no strikeouts. After the game either McDonald nor Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle had ... Read More