The Pittsburgh Pirates have begun its nine game road trip with a series win after a 2-1 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Pirates have now won four consecutive games. A.J. Burnett had his fourth consecutive quality start throwing seven innings allowing five hits, one run, two walks and four strikeouts on 88 pitches, 54 of which were strikes. This is the longest outing for Burnett in 2015 and the first time he has pitched seven innings since Sept. 6 of last season. The ... Read More
Pirates pregame 4/22: Kang, Hughes, Melancon discussed
The Chicago Cubs have won the first two games in this series, however the Pittsburgh Pirates still have an opportunity to earn a split if it were to match the aforementioned accomplishment. In last night's contest, the lead went back and forth, however the Pirates bullpen allowed an 8-5 lead to slip away in a 9-8 loss. Mark Melancon blew his first save in a 3-run top of the ninth inning. Tonight’s starters: In tonight's game Vance Worley [1-1 5.84 ERA] will take to the mound against ... Read More
Pirates, Melancon lose lead, game in ninth
The Pittsburgh Pirates could not hold an 8-5 lead and Mark Melancon blew his first save of the season falling 9-8 to the Chicago Cubs Tuesday. It was the Cubs that scored first in the top half of the opening inning. Francisco Liriano walked Dexter Fowler and hit Anthony Rizzo with a pitch putting the first two batters on base. Kris Bryant picked back up where he left off Monday with a double that scored Fowler. The Pirates got the run back in the first inning scoring in the frame for the ... Read More
Pirates aggressive on base paths in win
Earlier in the day, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle told the media that the team did not have many chances to be aggressive. That changed Friday. The Pirates took the extra base and the aggression helped propel them to a 6-3 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers in front of 25,664 fans. Vance Worley [1-1] got the win nearly a week after getting roughed up for six runs in a loss to these same Brewers. Worley pitched six innings allowing six hits, walking four [two of which were ... Read More
Pirates relief continues to be a strength
With the recalling of Rob Scahill, the Pittsburgh Pirates completed its bullpen. The bullpen has been a source of strength under the watchful eyes of pitching coach Ray Searage, bullpen coach Euclides Rojas and bullpen catcher Herbie Andrade. Here is a rundown of who will come out of the bullpen to start the season: Antonio Bastardo- The Pirates made what they felt was a low-risk acquisition with Antonio Bastardo from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Joely Rodriguez. Manager Clint ... Read More
Pirates fans provide record in victory
The Pittsburgh Pirates lived life in Wednesday's game outside McKechnie Field, hitting three times the home runs, and now have five times the sellout crowds with an 8-7 Spring Training victory Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers. A.J. Burnett, now firmly the third pitcher in the Pirates rotation, received a no-decision throwing 3.2 innings, allowing five hits, two runs, two walks and five strikeouts. Charlie Leesman picked up the win, his first of the spring getting the final out of the ... Read More
Jason Grilli reportedly to be removed as Pirates closer
According to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Jason Grilli will be removed from his closer role for the Pittsburgh Pirates. #pirates have removed Jason Grilli from closers role.— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) June 20, 2014 For time being, #pirates will use @GrillCheese49 in ultra low-leverage situations (i.e. losing game) so he can work things out.— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) June 20, 2014 It has been a tough season for the former All-Star closer. ... Read More
Melancon Blows Save, Pirates Lose 4-3
Mark Melancon had a rare loss of control in the ninth with the Pirates hanging to a 3-2 lead. The closer allowed a two-run walk-off single to Khris Davis after allowing a single and back-to-back walks to load the bases. It is the fifth time the Pirates have blown a lead after eight innings as Jason Grilli has blown three saves and Melancon two. There was some good news that came out of this game as Wandy Rodriguez -- activated off of the DL today -- went five inning while allowing only two ... Read More
Pirates Position Preview: Setup man / Closer
We move on with our 2014 Pirates position previews with the men that shut the door on opposing offences at the end of games. The Pirates back end was 73 - 5 -- three of those losses came in the final month-- when taking a lead into the eighth inning and it produced two NL All-Stars in Mark Melancon and Jason Grilli. Tony Watson and Justin Wilson also aided in the setup role with their power game to create one of the most feared groups in the league. Justin Wilson: 2013: 6 - 1, 2.08 ERA ... Read More
“Mark and Cheese” Take to the Big Apple
Jason Grilli and Mark Melancon are the first bullpen duo to make the All-Star game from Pittsburgh in the history of the Midsummer Classic. That’s 83 years without this happening. It goes to show you how important the back end of the bullpen, also known by fans as “Mark and Cheese”, has been for the Bucs this season. Jason Grilli’s numbers have been solid in his first year as closer for the Pirates going 29 of 30 in save opportunities while holding a 1.99 ERA in 40 2/3 innings (9 ER). He has ... Read More