Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Friday, September 25, 2015. What's on tap for today: Since losing three-of-four to the Chicago Cubs (89-63) in Pittsburgh, last week, the Pirates (93-60) have won six of their last seven games. Despite their recent success, they haven't gained much ground on their NL Central rivals. They remain four games behind the St. Louis Cardinals and just three games ahead of the Cubs, who the Pirates will visit at Wrigley Field for a three-game ... Read More
Subtle celebration shows Pirates have bigger aspirations
The Pittsburgh Pirates do take clinching a playoff berth for granted, but they have also bigger goals. Players did not pop champagne after securing their third straight playoff berth Wednesday in Colorado. No plastic covered the locker room. No goggles were needed, nor were players wildly jumping in celebration with the fizzing, white bubbly drink spraying all over. Instead it was just their usual postgame high-fives on the field after beating the Rockies 13-7, followed by a low-key ... Read More
AM Joe: Bucs clinch; go for four-game sweep today
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Thursday, September 24, 2015. What's on tap for today: Pirates (92-60) will have an afternoon contest against against the Colorado Rockies (63-80). Despite earning a playoff berth last night, the Bucs still have work to do, as they trail the St. Louis Cardinals by four games in the NL Central. Jeff Locke will make what could be his final start of his season against Chad Bettis at 3:10 p.m. ROOT Sports ... Read More
Pirates clinch third straight playoff berth
Merry Clinchmas, Pirates fans. September 23 has been a good day for the Pittsburgh Pirates, as they've clinched their playoff spot on that day in each of the last three years. This season, the Pirates defeated the Colorado Rockies by a 13-7 score to punch their ticket to the postseason. Neil Walker went 4-for-5 at the plate, hitting his 15th home run of the season in the third inning, while also batting in a career-high six runs. The Pirates had a total of 19 hits in the game. As far as ... Read More
AM Joe: Kessel sparkles in Pens debut
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Wednesday, September 22, 2015. What's on tap for today: Pirates (91-60) couldn't get the help they needed to clinch a playoff spot last night, but they can do it on their own accord tonight. The Colorado Rockies (63-88) again stand in the way. Charlie Morton will face Christian Bergman at 8:40 p.m. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh headlines: The Pirates staked J.A. Happ to an early lead, and he and the bullpen cruised to a 6-3 ... Read More
Pirates use two-out scoring, bullpen to earn victory
Aramis Ramirez slid safely into third base for his first triple since Aug. 2, 2014 and his Pittsburgh Pirates teammates were grinning ear-to-ear. Why were they smiling? For one Ramirez is not known for his speed, and secondly, the Pirates scored all of their runs on two-out hitting, with this fourth inning triple being one of those runs. The Pirates used this to defeat the Colorado Rockies by a 6-3 score Tuesday night reducing their magic number to one game. If the Pirates win Wednesday or ... Read More
AM Joe: Pens host Canes in preseason home opener
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Tuesday, September 21, 2015. What's on tap for today: The Penguins (1-0-0) will skate at Consol Energy Center for the first time in the 2015-16 season. The Pens will host the Carolina Hurricanes tonight at 7:00 p.m. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury, Kris Letang and Phil Kessel (above) are all expected to play for the Pens. 105.9 WXDX-FM Pirates (90-60) lefty J.A. Happ will continue his audition for a spot in the postseason ... Read More
Broxton adds speed to Pirates bench, outfield
Keon Broxton wasted little time in making an impact during his first Major League appearance for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Donning a No. 60 gray Pirates’ jersey, the outfielder made his debut Monday – the same day he was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis – when he trotted to first base to pinch-run for Aramis Ramirez in the top of the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies, and promptly reached second base on a Neil Walker groundout that scored Andrew McCutchen. Broxton took his lead ... Read More
Pirates best Rockies to open four-game series
Starling Marte fell a triple short of hitting for the cycle as the Pittsburgh Pirates won 9-3 Monday night against the Colorado Rockies. Marte started with a first inning home run, his second in as many games. The ball left the bat at 106 miles-per-hour and quickly departed into the left field seats. The homer, hit off Jon Gray [0-2], was his 18th of the season. Jordy Mercer came into the contest hitting .185 in the month of September but after Andrew McCutchen caught the 27th and final ... Read More
Pirates call up Broxton; move Kang to 60-day DL
The Pittsburgh Pirates have selected the contract of outfielder Keon Broxton from their Triple-A affiliate, the Indianapolis Indians. The Indians season ended over the weekend with a 3-0 loss to the Columbus Clippers in Game 5 of the International League final. Broxton, 25, hit .256 for the Indians in 88 games after being promoted from Double-A Altoona midseason. He had 80 hits, 42 RBIs and 28 stolen bases in his first Triple-A action. He has played all three outfield positions, with ... Read More