It was a very successful first half of the season for the Pittsburgh Pirates as it has the third best record in the major leagues. With that in mind it is time to revisit some of the successes in the first half of the season. 10. Home opener- This was mentioned in an earlier article so I will keep the description short. A home opener always makes every baseball fan excited as they have waited a long time for the season to begin. The familiar sights, smells and sounds bring a smile to every ... Read More
Pirates leave their mark on All-Star game
Though the National League Team lost the 2015 MLB All-Star Game, three Pittsburgh Pirates made contributions. Andrew McCutchen started for the NL and got the chance to bat leadoff. When he batted in the bottom of the sixth he was 2-for-10 in his career at the All-Star Game. McCutchen faced Chris Archer of the Tampa Bay Rays who has earned some consideration for the AL Cy Young Award. The Pirates center fielder wasted no time hitting a home run to left field to cut the NL deficit to one run ... Read More
McCutchen wins it in extras for Pirates
Andrew McCutchen's two-run home run in the 14th inning gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a 6-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. The homer extended McCutchen's hitting streak to 18 games this despite a couple of nearly game-changing calls from home plate umpire Vic Carapazza. “Quite the climactic ending right there," McCutchen said. "That was a lot of fun and who would have thought it came to that?” Mark Reynolds struck out and so did Jhonny Peralta. Carapazza ruled each a foul ball when ... Read More
Pirates pregame 7/11: Marte back in the lineup
The Pittsburgh Pirates evened its series against the St. Louis Cardinals winning a 5-2 game Friday night. Now the ball gets handed to A.J. Burnett who enters tonight's start with the lowest home ERA [1.28] among all National League pitchers. Burnett has been a problem to opposing teams as evidenced by his four runs allowed in the past five starts. His next strikeout allows him to pass Mark Langston and take sole possession of 34th place on the all-time list. In his last start, Burnett had ... Read More
Pirates pregame 7/8: Don’t Stop Believin’
The Pittsburgh Pirates stopped holding onto that losing feeling against the San Diego Padres after a 3-2 victory Tuesday night. Gregory Polanco recorded the game-winning hit, a triple of Joaquin Benoit. In tonight's game, Charlie Morton will face Andrew Cashner. Morton is 4-1 with a 2.65 ERA in six career starts against the Padres. Morton won his start against the Padres earlier this season. He lost his last start against the Cleveland Indians. Morton surrendered three runs on four hits ... Read More
Four Pirates selected to MLB All-Star Game
The Pittsburgh Pirates met prior to Monday night's game with the San Diego Padres for an annual tradition, a meeting led by manager Clint Hurdle to determine which players made the 2015 MLB All-Star Game. This year the magic number was four as A.J. Burnett, Gerrit Cole, Andrew McCutchen and Mark Melancon each made the team. “To be able to place four men on the All-Star team, I think we represented our city and our team," Hurdle said. "I believe they will go in and represent the National ... Read More
Alvarez hits walk-off single to lead Pirates past Padres
Pedro Alvarez's RBI single in the bottom of the ninth brought home Andrew McCutchen as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the San Diego Padres 2-1 in walk-off fashion. The Pittsburgh Pirates entered Monday night having lost its past 14 series to the San Diego Padres. “I just tried to compete," Alvarez said. "I was just trying to see a pitch up and put hard contact on it.” In this game, the Padres struck first in the second inning. Yonder Alonso had a one-out walk and a Jedd Gyorko single ... Read More
Pirates pregame 7/6: Josh Harrison on his injury; Ishikawa returns
The Pittsburgh Pirates have had a roller coaster day after a victory against the Cleveland Indians Sunday to earn a series win. Despite the victory, Josh Harrison was placed on the 15-day disabled list today. Harrison is one of the more popular Pirates. A year ago, Harrison was named an All-Star, however he has earned a trip of a different kind. A.J. Burnett hopes to end the day with a Pirates victory. Burnett is 4-7 with a 4.38 ERA in 12 career starts against the Padres. Burnett won a ... Read More
A.J. Burnett named to All-Star Game
A.J. Burnett insists this is his last season. After a down year with the Philadelphia Phillies last season, Burnett returned to Pittsburgh where he spent his two previous years under the tutelage of pitching coach Ray Searage. If Burnett does in fact retire after the season, he will retire a world champion, who threw a no-hitter, an immaculate inning and is a multimillionaire. But one thing has been missing from Burnett's career; an All-Star appearance. Add that to the list now, as ... Read More
Pirates offense overwhelms Tigers
Fans at Comerica Park were treated to a hit parade as the Pittsburgh Pirates put together 15 hits on Detroit Tigers starter Alfredo Simon and had 21 on the night in a 9-3 victory. This was the first 21-hit game for the Pirates since May 13, 2004, a road game against the Colorado Rockies. The 15 hits off Simon [7-5] are the most off a single pitcher for the Pirates since Apr. 17, 1974. The 15 hits also are the most given up by a Tigers starter since Scott Sanders gave up 16 in 1998. “We ... Read More