PNC Park – The Pirates started off their 5-game in four day stretch against the first place Cardinals with a dominating 9 - 2 victory Monday night bringing them to within a ½ game of the Cards for the NL Central Lead. Francisco Liriano helped his Cy Young chances by throwing 7 innings of two-hit, one run ball while striking out eight. He experienced a bit of trouble in the fourth when he allowed back-to-back singles with one out. He would then strike out Allen Craig and Yadier Molina to end the ... Read More
Is This The Biggest Series in PNC Park History?
One can say that PNC hosted some pretty important series over the last year, but nothing compares to this as the Pirates have a shot at taking first place from their opponent. (Worth noting: The Bucs did have an opportunity like this last season, but that series took place in Cincinnati.) The last time Pittsburgh witnessed something like this, you would have to look all the way back to July 10th-13th of 1997 when the Bucs started the second half of the season in first place by a game over the ... Read More
“Mark and Cheese” Take to the Big Apple
Jason Grilli and Mark Melancon are the first bullpen duo to make the All-Star game from Pittsburgh in the history of the Midsummer Classic. That’s 83 years without this happening. It goes to show you how important the back end of the bullpen, also known by fans as “Mark and Cheese”, has been for the Bucs this season. Jason Grilli’s numbers have been solid in his first year as closer for the Pirates going 29 of 30 in save opportunities while holding a 1.99 ERA in 40 2/3 innings (9 ER). He has ... Read More
Gee Continues Dominance of Pirates, Mets Win 4 – 2
PNC Park – Dillon Gee continued his dominance over the Pirates as he went 6 2/3 innings of one run ball (unearned) as the Mets avoided a sweep of the Pirates by the score of 4 - 2. Gee had a 2 – 0 record with a 1.73 ERA in 26 innings (4 starts) coming into today’s game against the Pirates while striking out 19 and walking six. It was more of the same on Sunday as he went 6 2/3 innings while holding the Pirates to five hits while striking out two. The Mets did their damage in the first off ... Read More
Melancon Named 2013 All-Star
BREAKING: MLB has announced Mark Melancon as a 2013 NL All-Star Melancon has been stellar in his first year as a Pirate as he has only allowed four earned runs in 44 1/3 innings of work (0.81 ERA). He has also struck out 46 batters while only walking four. This will be the first All-Star appearance for Melancon, joining fellow Shark Tank member, Jason Grilli in that category. The two have helped lead the Pirates pen to one of the best bullpen ERA’s in the majors with a 2.76 ERA, trailing ... Read More
Pedro Homers, Mercer Walks Off Mets 3 – 2
PNC Park – Jordy Mercer halted his mini-slump in grand fashion as he singled up the middle in the eleventh inning to walk-off the Mets 3 – 2 on Friday night. It was the first hit with runners in scoring position in three attempts in extra frames as the Pirates had the bases loaded in the ninth and first and second in the tenth. “You always want to be that guy -- you always want to get the game winning hit and you want to score the game winning run,” said Mercer. “You go through your ... Read More
Bucco Gameday: Hurdle Talks Derby, Walker
PNC Park -- The Pirates (54 – 36), fresh off of a 5 – 0 victory against Oakland on Wednesday, are back at PNC to finish the first half off against the Mets (40 – 48) in the first of three starting tonight. Charlie Morton (1 – 2, 3.38 ERA) will face Jeremy Hefner (4 – 6, 3.39 ERA). Leading Off -- Pedro Alvarez will now be participating in Mondays All-Star Home Run Derby (8pm, ESPN) due to Carlos Gonzalez pulling out due to a finger injury. He is unsure on who will be throwing to him ... Read More
Pitt Women Add Two
Suzie McConnell-Serio looked to one of the strongest programs in the state of Pennsylvania over the past several years to pick up her first two recruits at Pitt by getting verbal commitments from Naje Gibson and Cassidy Walsh this past week. Both Gibson and Walsh play at Seton LaSalle High School and have been starters since they have been freshmen. Seton Las Salle is one of the strongest girl’s basketball programs in the state of Pennsylvania and have only lost two games in the past two ... Read More
Pirate Bats Stay Hot In 10 – 3 Victory Over Brewers
PNC Park -- The Pirates continued to break out the bats and Gerrit Cole recovered from a shaky first inning as the Buccos continued to exercise their demons against the Brewers 10 – 3 on Friday night. It was Gerrit Cole’s fourth victory in as many tries to start his ML career. It ended an eventful day that saw the organization introduce Austin Meadows earlier that afternoon. The Brewers got to Cole fast in the first as Nori Aoki walked on four pitches to start the game off and Jean Segura and ... Read More
A New Era at Pitt
The first rule of Pitt football is to love the game. The second rule of Pitt football is to love the school. Just ask Rushel Shell. This week when Shell asked to be reinstated to the program after a change of heart coach Paul Chryst and his staff decided they no longer needed him. Shell, a Pittsburgh native, requested a transfer to UCLA only to change his mind to stay close to family. The words Pitt Panther football and mediocre are one in the same. Over the past decade, the Panthers have ... Read More