A.J. Burnett hasn't stepped onto the mound at PNC Park since September 21, 2013 (7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER in 4-2 W vs. CIN). He will get the chance on Sunday afternoon to come back to that mound, only this time as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. He will also be opposing the man that looked up to him during his time as a Pirate in Jeff Locke. "It's good to come back," said Burnett. "We stayed downtown and I got to walk around a little bit with Locke, my nemesis for Sunday, but it's always ... Read More
McCutchen Homer Leads Pirates Past Phillies 3-2
Edinson Volquez threw seven solid innings after a shaky start and Andrew McCutchen added his thirteenth home run of the season as the Pirates clinched their fifth straight series victory with a 3-2 win over the Phillies on Saturday afternoon. The Pirates got on the board in the first for the third time in four games when Andrew McCutchen sent a two-run home run -- his ninth since June 1st-- into the Phillies bullpen. It came one at bat too late though, as a home run would have given him the ... Read More
Pirates Claim Dean Anna Off Waivers From Yankees
The Pittsburgh Pirates today claimed infielder Dean Anna off waivers from the New York Yankees. The announcement was made by Pirates Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington. Anna will be optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. The 27-year-old Anna was a member of New York’s Opening Day roster and spent 12 games with the Yankees, where he hit .136 (3-for-22) with a double, home run and three RBI before being optioned to Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre on April 24. In 36 games with ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 7/5: Hurdle Discusses Volquez, Shortstop Situation
Good afternoon from PNC Park where today the Pirates (45-41) take on the Phillies (37-49) in the second game of a three-game set. Edinson Volquez (6-6, 4.07 ERA) will face David Buchanan (4-4, 4.86 ERA). Hurdle's Quotes On Mercer's recent success and what it does to Harrison at SS: "I'm trying to find that seamless transition for a lot of different guys. To give them a little bit. Move the chains a little bit and hold that ground. Like a tug of war, hold that ground, now can we get a little ... Read More
Mercer’s 4-RBI Evening Lifts Pirates Past Phillies 8-2
Jordy Mercer recorded 4 RBI and Gerrit Cole pitched like the man he was prior to his injury before re-injuring himself as the Pirates took the first game of a three-game set from the Phillies 8-2 on a perfect 4th of July afternoon in Pittsburgh. The Pirates provided some early fireworks for the sellout crowd at PNC with a four-spot in the first. Russell Martin, Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer (2 RBI) all provided RBI in the inning while the offense collected five hits and walked twice in the ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 7/4: Hurdle Discusses Today’s Pitching Matchup
Good afternoon and Happy 4th of July from PNC Park where this evening the Pirates (44-41) begin a three-game set against the cross-state rival Phillies (37-48). Gerrit Cole (6-4, 4.02 ERA) will look to rebound from his previous start against Roberto Hernandez (3-7, 4.26 ERA). Hurdle's Quotes On sitting most of his LH hitters against RHP Hernandez: "It's about a 50-point spread (RH vs. LF avg.). The walk-to-strikeout's different. The contact, some other indicators. I just thought it would be a ... Read More
Pirates Unable to Sweep Diamondbacks with 10-2 Loss
Vance Worley and the Pirates were able to hold the Diamondbacks hitless through five innings, but a seven-run ninth proved costly as the Diamondbacks avoided the sweep with a 10-2 victory on Thursday night. The loss drops the Pirates to 0-8 when having a chance to sweep a series. The Pirates (44-41) gave Worley a lead scoring once in the third and fourth. Jordy Mercer doubled to start the third, advanced to third on a Worley groundout and scored on a Gregory Polanco groundout. Neil Walker ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 7/3: Hurdle Discusses Recent Pitching Success, Jordy Mercer
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (44-40) look for the three-game sweep --their first of the 2014 season-- of the Diamondbacks (35-51). Vance Worley (2-0, 1.74 ERA) will oppose Brandon McCarthy (2-10, 5.11 ERA). Injury Update Francisco Liriano threw a successful sim game yesterday and will now make a rehab start with AAA Indianapolis on Monday (5 IP / 85 pitches). Andrew McCutchen is in tonight's lineup after leaving last night's game after fouling a ball off of his left ... Read More
Polanco Leads Pirates Over Diamondbacks 5-1
Pittsburgh-- Charlie Morton pitched six innings of one-run ball and Gregory Polanco hit his third career home run as the Pirates defeated the Diamondbacks 5-1 on Wednesday night. The Pirates (44-40) got off to a fast start in the first against Diamondbacks starter Chase Anderson when Gregory Polanco hit a double off the Clemente Wall. The ball was misplayed by Gerardo Parra allowing Polanco to reach third. Starling Marte then knocked him in with a groundout to short. The Pirates added on ... Read More
McCutchen Named NL Player-of-the-Month
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen has been voted Budweiser Presents National League Player of the Month for June. Budweiser, the official beer sponsor of Major League Baseball and sponsor for 24 of 30 MLB clubs, is also the presenting sponsor of the American League Player of the Month Award. "I'm definately honored and grateful and I thank God for the opportunity to be able to put forth a good month and to get the award is really good, but I definately couldn't do it without the ... Read More