A Colby Rasmus second inning grand slam and a Melky Cabrera fifth inning two-run shot were more than enough offense for the Blue Jays as they defeated the Pirates 7-2 on Sunday afternoon to avoid a three-game sweep. Edinson Volquez started the game off going 1-2-3 in the first and got run support via a Josh Harrison lead-off triple and Neil Walker RBI groundout, but lost his control and was unable to hold the lead. Volquez walked two to start the second, then Brett Lawrie beat out a ... Read More
Volquez Continues To Impress, Bats Stay Hot in Pirates 11-2 Win
Edinson Volquez continued to impress as he held the Brewers hot offensive attack to only 2 runs over 7 innings of work and the Pirate bats came alive once again in a 11-2 Pirate victory on Thursday night. Volquez didn't have the best start to the game as he allowed a lead-off single -- the seventh in seven games at PNC Park by opposing lead-off hitters -- to Carlos Gomez. Gomez would then score three batters later on an Aramis Ramirez RBI single. The righty would experience more trouble in ... Read More
Pirates Position Preview: Third Base
We continue our spring preview of the Pirates with the hot corner. The position filled by last years Co-NL home run champ, Pedro Alvarez. Although, this season, he may be getting some help. Pedro Alvarez: Pedro showed offensive improvement last season by hitting a league-leading 36 home runs and driving in 100 which was fifth-best in the NL and also good enough for his first silver slugger award. He still has more room to improve though, as he led the league in strikeouts (186) while ... Read More
Pirates Position Preview: Middle Infield
With pitchers and catchers settling into Pirate City, it's now time for the rest of the squad to make their way to the Bradenton complex to begin spring training. Most of the pieces from last season's NLDS run return to go at it again, but there are others that hope to shake the roster up come opening day. We begin with the middle infield positions of Neil Walker, Jordy Mercer, Clint Barmes and Josh Harrison. Neil Walker: Walker had a down season last year batting .251/.339/.757 with 24 ... Read More
Morton Strong In A Pirates 7 – 1 Victory
Charlie Morton continues to improve from Tommy John surgery as he threw 6 2/3 innings of one run (unearned) ball while Marlon Byrd hit a homer in his fourth at-bat as a Pirate in a 7 - 1 Bucco victory on Wednesday night. Morton experienced some trouble out of the gate, much like Locke did last night, as he allowed three base runners in the first. The outcome would be different, though, as he would get a fielders choice, caught stealing and a groundout to get out of the jam. From there, he ... Read More
Harrison Walk-Off Lifts Pirates to 4 – 3 Victory
(Photo Credit: Gene J. Puskar / AP) PNC Park -- Josh Harrison sent a 1 - 1 fastball from left hander, Mike Dunn into the right-center field seats for a Pirates walk-off 4 - 3 victory on Tuesday night. It completed a comeback from an early 3-run hole created by the Marlins against starter, Jeff Locke. They got on the board once in the second when they lead off the inning by loading the bases. Locke would then get Jeff Mathis to pop out to first, but Marlins starter, Henderson Alvarez would ... Read More
With starting lineup set, Pirates look to fill bench positions
The Pittsburgh Pirates are going into this season with their starting lineup pretty much set in stone barring any injuries. They will have Russel Martin at catcher, Garret Jones at first base, Neil Walker at second base, Pedro Alvarez playing third, Clint Barmes at shortstop, Starling Marte, Andrew McCutchen, and Travis Snider patrolling the outfield. It has been said that Gabby Sanchez will get some time at first base. So that means he has solidified his spot on the bench so that only leaves ... Read More
Brock Holt the everyday shortstop?
I'm pulling for Brock Holt. I really am. I was excited to watch him collect four hits last night as the Pirates defeated the Astros in a crucial game. Heck, I like Holt a lot just for the hashtags that people use around his name. (Lightning Holt, Party like a Brock-star, Brock you like a Hurricane are some of my favorites). But as expected when a player does well in his first handful of games, especially when they can play middle infield, the question comes if this guy can play shortstop or ... Read More
How much does this win over the Cardinals mean to the Pirates
Since two Sundays ago and the 19-inning win, the Pirates have let just about everyone down. They had gone 1-6 before tonight's victory and were swept by the San Diego Padres just last week. Everyone has been talking about how the teams chances of making the playoffs are now over, but a game like tonight's could change that all around. Sure, it will only go into the standings as one win, but it could mean a lot more to the Pirates than that. James McDonald pitching effectively is something we ... Read More