Brad Hand departed the game for the Miami Marlins in the ninth inning, however by then it was too little too late for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hand [4-3] just missed his first ever complete game but threw a career-high eight-plus innings in a 5-2 victory Tuesday night against the Pirates which evened the four-game series at one victory apiece. Prior to the ninth inning, the top half of the first presented the Pirates high point against Hand. With two outs in the first inning, Andrew ... Read More
Pirates pregame 8/18: Bullpen continues dominance
The Pittsburgh Pirates saw their four-game winning streak come to an end with a 4-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks Monday evening. These two teams will meet again tonight. Francisco Liriano will pitch for the Pirates against Chase Anderson. Liriano is 1-0 with a 0.98 ERA in three career starts against the Diamondbacks. In his last start, Liriano allowed three runs on six hits in six innings of work against the St. Louis Cardinals. Liriano has an opponent batting average against on .212. ... Read More
Neal Huntington on Cole Tucker’s injury and Vance Worley’s uncertain future
As he does every Sunday home game, Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington met with the media discussing a variety of topics both at the major and minor league level. On Vance Worley accepting assignment: “We are still awaiting word. Obviously our hope is that he will [accept the assignment]. As a guy with more than three years of service and a prior outright he does have the ability to refuse the assignment and go somewhere else. We made it clear that we would love for him to stay ... 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
Burnett season, career not over
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett will not see his career cut short by injury. Jon Morosi of Fox Sports has reported that the right-handed pitcher has a strained flexor tendon and his UCL is intact. “Anytime you’re not on the field it’s frustrating, but of all of the news that came this was the most positive," Burnett said. "I did a PRP shot today after the MRI and we’ll go from there. It’s a matter of resting and healing. We’re shooting for four weeks and waiting for the pain to go ... Read More
Pirates place Burnett on DL; recall LaFromboise
A disappointing second half, one which he claims is the last of his career continued for Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett as he was placed on the 15-day disabled list with elbow inflammation. Burnett will be replaced in the rotation by J.A. Happ who was acquired earlier Friday afternoon in a trade with the Seattle Mariners. Bobby LaFromboise will take Burnett's 25-man roster spot. Earlier in the day when meeting with assembled media manager Clint Hurdle stated that he had a ... Read More
Neal Huntington presser 7/26: Harrison, Lambo, Sadler among injury updates; Hanson continues progression
Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington met with reporters prior to Sunday afternoon's game against the Washington Nationals and tackled topics ranging from injury updates, trade deadline conversation and some of the players on the major league roster. On Gorkys Hernandez: “Gorkys has gone out and played a couple of games with [Triple-A] Indianapolis and looks healthy. Our anticipation is if he continues this way we’ll activate him and have to make a decision.” Regarding Rob ... Read More
Pirates overwhelmed by Nationals offense
Ask A.J. Burnett about his start in Saturday night's loss and he would not discuss the eight strikeouts, but rather all of the mistakes he made. “I’m hitting guys in the foot, throwing balls down the middle, throwing balls away from first, I didn’t cover home," Burnett said. "I got strike outs but I’ve got to keep the balls in the lanes and in the corners.” The Pittsburgh Pirates appeared to be on the verge of a comeback following a three-run sixth inning, but one swing of the bat from Ian ... Read More
Pirates pregame 7/25: Ramirez to bat cleanup; Caminero looks to improve
Though Aramis Ramirez has been much of the talk of late, the Pittsburgh Pirates have been able to win its first two games of its four-game series against the Washington Nationals. The Pirates won the two games by scores of 7-3 and 7-5. “Any time we win it’s what we’re looking for," Jared Hughes said. "These last couple of games have been nice because we’ve won. It’s time to keep that positive momentum going and continue to win.” Tonight A.J. Burnett will face Gio Gonzalez. Burnett ... Read More
Pirates pull away following late rally in win
The Pittsburgh Pirates won its first game of a six-day road trip with a 10-7 victory against the Kansas City Royals. It was the Royals that struck first in the first inning when Eric Hosmer singled in Alcides Escobar. Hosmer was thrown out trying to stretch his single into a double. A four-run second inning served as the Pirates response. Both Pedro Alvarez and Francisco Cervelli each singled in runs placing the Pirates in the lead. Travis Ishikawa then drove the ball to left field for a ... Read More