On the surface, it was only two runs, but that was enough for the Pittsburgh Pirates to defeat the Washington Nationals in a season-high 18 innings while also avoiding a series sweep. Though the game was long and each of the team's relievers were used, Monday is an off day allowing for everyone to get some rest. The winning hit came from Starling Marte off former Pirate Oliver Perez with two outs in the 18th inning. Marte swing at the first pitch and hit it deep into the left field ... Read More
Pirates solve Cubs’ Arrieta in big win
In the sixth inning, Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman David Freese's committed a costly error, allowing the Chicago Cubs to take a lead for the first time all night — something that's considered a cardinal sin when Cubs' ace Jake Arrieta is on the mound. Yet the Pirates got away with it, winning 8-4. This win allowed the Pirates to snap an eight-game losing streak to NL Central opponents, and the division-leading Cubs have now lost eight of their past nine games. In Friday's game, the ... Read More
Rodriguez uses bat, glove to secure series win for Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates closer Mark Melancon came in for the ninth inning to close out the latest come-from-behind game, this time over the St. Louis Cardinals — and, at Busch Stadium, something made him feel at home: his typical entrance music, AC/DC's “Thunderstruck.” What followed was a scoreless inning (extending his shutout streak to 20.1 innings), good for Melancon's 26th save of the season and for a 7-5 Pittsburgh win. The Pirates have made a habit of coming back late. Tuesday, they ... Read More
Melancon named to NL All-Star team
The MLB All-Star teams were announced Tuesday night, and closer Mark Melancon will be the lone representative for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The last time the Pirates had one representative was 2010 when relief pitcher Evan Meek represented the team. Last year, the Pirates had four representatives in pitchers A.J. Burnett, Gerrit Cole, Melancon and center fielder Andrew McCutchen. McCutchen had been a Pirates representative for four consecutive years, but below average offensive numbers ended ... Read More
Pirates sweep A’s, return to .500
It appeared the Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen would finally allow a run as the Oakland Athletics had runners on first and third base with one out in the sixth inning. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle had been ejected earlier in the inning, his second removal of the week, and A.J. Schugel was tasked with keeping his team up 4-3 on the scoreboard against the Athletics. Stephen Vogt was the batter and defensive replacement David Freese would be put to the test. Vogt hit a hard line drive to Freese ... Read More
Another come-from-behind win gives Pirates series vs. A’s
It was a game that mirrored Friday night's game, and, though Saturday's game took longer to determine a winner, the outcome was the same: a Pittsburgh Pirates win over the Oakland Athletics. Although, tonight, the final score was 4-2, and it took 10 innings. Tonight's win means the Pirates are now 4-4 on the season in extra inning games and have won two of their past three series (after dropping four in a row); this is the first time the Pirates have won a road series since a trip to St. ... Read More
No Pirates on NL All-Star final ballot update
On the final NL All-Star ballot update, there are a lot of familiar faces in the top-5 at their position. It's just that none of them happen to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates. In fact, only two Pirates are even close to the top-5: outfielders Starling Marte (No. 8) and Andrew McCutchen (No. 9). And both players are more than a million votes away from being one of the All-Star Game's three starting outfielders — with only a few days before ballots close. McCutchen, who has been an All-Star ... Read More
Is it too early to write off the Pittsburgh Pirates?
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 76 games into the 2016 season, and they aren't exactly in an ideal position. The Pirates, who are 37-39 this year, sit 12 games behind the Chicago Cubs for first place and three games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for second place in the NL Central. The team has endured an abundance of issues; however, it's not time to completely write off the Pirates just yet. Young rotation help arriving When it comes to the starting rotation, it's no secret they've struggled this ... Read More
Backend relievers provide needed stability in Pirates’ 8-6 win over Dodgers
It's approaching five years since the infamous game that gave baseball fans the phrase, “Jerry Meals says it's safe.” The play happened in the 19th inning where it appeared that then-Pirates catcher Michael McKenry clearly tagged the Atlanta Braves' runner out. But Meals, the umpire, disagreed. Ever since, Meals hasn't been a welcome name to Pirates fans, who boo him each time public address announcer Tim DeBacco says Meals' name.But, Friday night, those same Pirates fans couldn't help but ... Read More
Pirates sweep doubleheader against Mets
Doubleheaders always bring the potential of unique accomplishments, and Tuesday's contests between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Mets brought some of those into play. Both games ended the same, a 3-1 Pirates victory giving the home team nine consecutive wins over the Mets, the most in franchise history. Often times in doubleheaders, relief pitchers appear in one game, but both Mark Melancon and Neftali Feliz appeared in each of the victories. Feliz allowed the lone run in Game ... Read More