Last night, a 10-inning contest which neared four hours ended in the Pittsburgh Pirates favor, as the Pirates defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers by a 5-4 score. “Both teams were playing hard and playing for a lot," manager Clint Hurdle said. Clayton Kershaw allowed a home run to Gregory Polanco on the first pitch of the bottom of the first inning ending his 37-inning scoreless streak. Despite allowing the second most hits and runs of the season to the Pirates, Kershaw received a ... Read More
Alvarez a pinch hit hero in walk-off win over Dodgers
Having the bases loaded was not necessarily a recipe for the success for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night, but pinch-hitter Pedro Alvarez made sure 39,404 fans went home happy. Alvarez's pinch-hit single with the bases full in the bottom of the tenth gave the Pirates a 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. “Just because you don’t start a game it doesn’t mean that you won’t play a role in the game," Alvarez said. "I can speak for everyone here when they are in the same situation ... Read More
Pirates pregame 8/7: Cole faces Kershaw; Hughes is a metal head
A nationally televised audience is in for a treat as Gerrit Cole will face Clayton Kershaw on ESPN tonight in the first game of the season between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers. Cole [14-5 2.29 ERA] leads the major leagues in wins and since Sept. 7 has a 2.43 ERA and 170.1 innings pitched. He is 2-0 with a 4.50 ERA in two career starts against the Dodgers. He lost in his last start against the Cincinnati Reds and allowed three runs [two earned] in five innings. Cole has a 1-2 ... Read More
Pirates to skip Happ’s turn in rotation
They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. For Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander J.A. Happ, that’s proving to be true. After a disastrous Pirates debut on Tuesday, Happ, who was acquired from the Seattle Mariners for Triple-A right-hander Adrian Sampson at the trade deadline, will be skipped in the starting rotation by Pirates manager Clint Hurdle according to multiple media reports. An off day on Monday will allow the Pirates to flow from this weekend’s series against ... Read More
Pirates will embark on crucial stretch Friday
For teams competing for the playoffs, every series is important. When the series is against a team first in their respective division, the stakes get higher. But for the Pittsburgh Pirates who have three straight series coming up against divisional leaders, the stretch could be a make or break one. Starting Friday, they have consecutive three game sets against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets – all currently in first place of their division. The ... Read More
Pirates slug 12 hits in victory
The Chicago Cubs used a three-run sixth inning to tie the game while the Pittsburgh Pirates were using its third pitcher of the inning, Antonio Bastardo. Bastardo [3-1] faced pinch-hitter Chris Coghlan with the bases loaded and two outs. Coghlan grounded out on the first pitch keeping the score tied at four. The Pirates would respond following the out and won by a 7-5 score. “The absolute biggest pitch of the night for me," manager Clint Hurdle said. "It was a real efficient one-pitch ... Read More
Pirates pregame 8/5: Locke looks to reverse fortune; Melancon embraces adventure
The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking for a series split tonight against the Chicago Cubs. The first game scheduled for Monday was postponed due to weather and likely will be made up as a day-night doubleheader Sept. 15. In game two, the Cubs emerged victorious by a 5-0 score. J.A. Happ made his first start as a Pirate and did not make it out of the fifth inning. “There were some solid sequences but we have to get some improvement on the overall consistency," manager Clint Hurdle said of ... Read More
Pirates contained by Arrieta in loss
Two hits and five base runners. That was the Pittsburgh Pirates offense managed Tuesday night against Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta in a 5-0 loss. The Pirates were not able to move runners when they were on base as they grounded into inning ending double plays in both the fourth and fifth innings. This was accomplished once again in the eighth inning against Tommy Hunter. "Yeah we scattered a lot of hits out there but tonight it's all about the starting pitcher," Cubs manager ... Read More
Pirates pregame 8/4: Happ makes Pirates debut; Kang comments on award
Fans waited through three hours and 29 minutes of rain, thunder and lightning, however, just before midnight, Monday's contest between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs was postponed. There is no make up date currently schedule though the Pirates game notes have a doubleheader between the two teams listed for September 15. The Cubs return for a series September 15-17. J.A. [pronounced Jay] Happ will make his Pirates debut in tonight's game against Jake Arrieta. Happ posted a 4-6 ... Read More
Several top prospects could join Pirates next season
In 2013, the Pittsburgh Pirates received a boost during their playoff run when they called up then-rookie pitcher Gerrit Cole. Next season, the Pirates may get a similar impact from several different prospects. With the recent promotions of first baseman and arguably top hitting prospect Josh Bell and top pitching prospect Tyler Glasnow to Triple-A Indianapolis, both are now in a position to arrive in Pittsburgh sometime in 2016 barring injury. Of course, this is under the assumption ... Read More