After losing centerfielder Andrew McCutchen with one out in the first inning, the Pittsburgh Pirates responded with a five-run first offensive outburst in the bottom of the first en route to an 8-4 victory. “I think it was a real nice push for our guys to answer in that fashion," manager Clint Hurdle said. McCutchen left the game after he was hit by a pitch in the left elbow. In the first inning, Neil Walker started a string of seven consecutive Pirates that reached base. McCutchen was ... Read More
BP phones home; Pirates fall in extra innings
Restless Pittsburgh Pirates fans waited out a long rain delay however over 4.5 hours into its game against the Cincinnati Reds, the patience did not pay off. Brandon Phillips hit his fourth home run of the season in the 13th inning off Rob Scahill [2-4] allowing the Reds to win 5-4. The Pirates had numerous opportunities to get a go-ahead or game-winning hit however the ball did not carry and instead made loud outs. “I feel like there were balls hit today that a lot of times go out but they ... Read More
Seven-run fourth inning propels Pirates to victory
With the Pittsburgh Pirates leading the Cincinnati Reds by one, Todd Frazier came to the plate against Arquimedes Caminero. Frazier came into the contest batting .375 against the Pirates in 2015 and hit a sinking liner. Starling Marte came in and dove headfirst to record the third out of the seventh inning stranding Billy Hamilton. Caminero celebrated with a fist pump and Frazier slammed his helmet in disgust. “I didn’t know he was so shallow," Caminero said. "When I saw that play it was ... Read More
Pirates use long ball to win game; series
The Pirates combined timely hitting with a solid Charlie Morton outing, winning Tuesday night by a 3-0 score over the Chicago White Sox. In the two games the Pirates hosted at home, their outhit the White Sox 28-6. Morton earned his fifth win of the season in as many starts. He threw seven scoreless innings allowing four hits on 94 pitches and 65 were strikes. Morton retired 13 batters on three pitches or less and had 12 ground ball outs. Morton's main trouble came in the first inning when ... Read More
Pirates pregame 6/16: Hayes signs with Pirates; Bastardo glorious of late
An eight-game homestand concludes tonight when the Pittsburgh Pirates face the Chicago White Sox. In last night's game the Pirates tied a season high scoring 11 runs in a shutout victory against the White Sox. Francisco Liriano struck out 12 batters which also tied a season high. Tonight’s starters: The Pirates will send Charlie Morton to the mound to face Jose Quintana. Morton is 2-6 with a 5.00 ERA in 10 career Interleague starts. He pitched 7.1 shutout innings allowing three hits ... Read More
Pirates pregame 6/15: Hello Newman, sorry Vance
The Pittsburgh Pirates have had its struggles at the start of Interleague play this season with a 1-4 record. The Pirates now being a four game stretch against the Chicago White Sox with two games at home and two on the road. Tonight’s starters: The Pirates will face its second consecutive lefty. They are in the middle of a stretch containing four left-handed starters. Francisco Liriano is the Pirates pitcher tonight and is 5-4 with a 4.99 ERA in 15 career games [11 starts]. His last start ... Read More
Cervelli is no Martin, but still quality find for Pirates
It’s another year and another former New York Yankee catcher is having success with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Almost feels like clockwork at this point. First it was signing Russell Martin in 2013, and then last year it was acquiring Chris Stewart for cash. This year, it was trading for Francisco Cervelli. The 29-year-old has been a quality backstop for the Pirates and is only costing the team $987,500 this year. But so far this year, how does Cervelli stack up against Martin, who signed ... Read More
Pirates score season high in victory
For the vast majority of his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, fans complained that A.J. Burnett did not receive run support. That was not the case against the San Diego Padres as the Pirates gave their starting pitcher the most runs in a game he pitched since July 8, 2012 in an 11-5 victory over the San Diego Padres. The 11 runs were a season-best and the most the team has scored since August 11 against the Detroit Tigers. The Pirates scored in each of the first four innings with home ... Read More
Pirates pregame 5/26: team faces new starter; Worley adjusts to new role
The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to earn its second consecutive series win and its fourth straight victory over a National League East opponent when it faces the Miami Marlins tonight. A win would place the Pirates at 23-22 on the season. The Pirates won a 4-2 game last night with Charlie Morton earning a victory in his first start of the season. Francisco Cervelli hit his first home run of the season, also the first from any Pirates catcher. Pedro Alvarez contributed with an opposite field ... Read More
Morton grounds Marlins in Pirates victory
When Francisco Cervelli came to the plate in Monday night's Pirate game, he as well as the rest of the team's catchers had not hit a home run all season. That changed with one swing of the bat. An opposite field three-run home run powered the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 4-2 series opening win against the Miami Marlins. Charlie Morton [1-0] made his season debut and allowed three hits to hits first four batters and seven through four. He was able to limit the Marlins to one hit in his last ... Read More