Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (69-64) continue their streak against NL Central opponents as they begin a three-game series with the Reds (65-69). Edinson Volquez (11-7, 3.56 ERA) will take the hill against Mike Leake (10-11, 3.51 ERA). Injury Update Pedro Alvarez and Travis Snider are not in the lineup again tonight. They will both work out during warm ups and take swings in the cage to see if they will be available for tonight's game. Snider sees progress in his ... Read More
The art of the rundown with Josh Harrison
The ball is hit towards the hole between second and third. You take off from second base with the thoughts of scoring, but something has happened. Without noticing, the shortstop re-positioned himself to where the ball was hit and has now thrown the ball to third where the tag is awaiting for you. The only thing you can do now is get into a rundown and hope a mistake is made where you can somehow avoid getting tagged out. Instances similar to this has happened to Josh Harrison twice this season ... Read More
Locke outduels Wainwright as Pirates take series from Cardinals
Jeff Locke pitched 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball and Ike Davis provided his second big blow in as many days as the Pirates defeated the Cardinals 3-1 on Wednesday afternoon at PNC Park. Locke started off slow allowing three hits through two innings, but picked his game up in the third inning after a Matt Holliday solo home run to left field. Locke allowed three total base runners into the eighth inning and was able to keep the Cardinals (71-61) off of the board thanks to some nice defense ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 8/27: Hurdle discusses team chemistry
Good afternoon from PNC Park where this afternoon the Pirates (68-64) look to take the rubber match of a three-game series against the Cardinals (71-60). Jeff Locke (5-3, 3.69 ERA) will take the hill against Adam Wainwright (15-8, 2.52 ERA). Hurdle's Quotes On the large amount of team chemistry in the clubhouse: "There's no doubt. It's another trademark, I think, of our organization and we encourage it as soon as these guys become Pirates. One of the things I challenge the first year players ... Read More
Ike’s pinch-hit home run propels Pirates past Cardinals
Ike Davis's eight inning pinch-hit three-run home run helped propel the Pirates to a 5-2 victory over the National League Wild Card-leading Cardinals on Tuesday night . Davis's shot helped bail out Tony Watson, who allowed the Cardinals (71-60) to tie the game at two in the seventh after Gerrit Cole held St. Louis scoreless through six innings. Cole had a no-hitter going through 5 2/3 innings before Kolten Wong snuck a grounder inside the first base line for a double. Cole then came back for ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 8/26: Hurdle discusses Tabata, Pedro’s play at first base
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (67-64) look to avenge last night's 3-2 loss to the Cardinals (71-59) in the second game of a three-game set. Gerrit Cole (7-4, 3.69 ERA) will oppose Lance Lynn (14-8, 2.78 ERA). Hurdle's Quotes On Alvarez's play at first base: "We're just happy that the hard work that he's doing is paying off and giving him some opportunity to have some more freedom every time he goes out there. There's going to be more plays that's going to need to be made and ... Read More
Cardinals score late, hold on to beat Pirates 3-2
Jared Hughes allowed three Cardinal runs in the seventh inning propelling them to a 3-2 victory over the Pirates on Monday night at PNC. The uncharacteristic inning by Hughes erased a strong outing by Francisco Liriano, who pitched six scoreless before being removed after one batter in the seventh with the Pirates (67-64) leading 1-0 on a Pedro Alvarez home run in the second. Liriano held a no-hitter through 4 2/3 innings before a Jhonny Peralta single snapped the bid. Liriano threw up ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 8/25: Hurdle discusses Polanco demotion, Barmes activated from DL
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (67-63) look to build off of their series victory in Milwaukee as they begin a three-game set against the NL Wild Card-leading Cardinals (70-59). Francisco Liriano (3-10, 4.18 ERA) will take the hill and oppose newly acquired John Lackey (1-1, 5.40 ERA). Roster Moves -- The Pirates made a roster move this afternoon sending OF Gregory Polanco to AAA Indianapolis and recalling OF Jose Tabata. Polanco will be back with the team after the rosters ... Read More
Polanco to be optioned to AAA, Tabata to be recalled
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has reported that the Pirates will option Gregory Polanco to AAA for a short time until the rosters expand to 40 men on Monday. Source: #Pirates send Polanco to AAA. No word yet on corresponding move. Figures to be short-term demotion; rosters expand Monday. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 25, 2014 The rookie played in 64 games with the Pirates, Polanco posted a slash line of .241/.349/.657 with nine doubles, six home runs and 30 RBI while striking out 50 ... Read More
Pedro powers Pirates back into NL Central contention
Pedro Alvarez hit two home runs to lead a powerful Pirates attack to a 10-2 victory over Milwaukee on Saturday night at Miller Park. Alvarez --who had gone 42 days since his last home run -- turned the tides in the Pirates favor in the fourth inning. With two outs and the visitors trailing 2-0, Neil Walker walked and Russell Martin doubled for the Bucs first hit of the game off of Brewers starter Wily Peralta. Alvarez then followed with an opposite-field home run to put the Pirates ahead ... Read More