Charlie Morton pitched seven or more innings for the third time in four major league starts this season as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 2-0 to avoid a sweep. “That’s who we are, we bounce back very well," Jordy Mercer said. "We’re a very resilient ball club and when things don’t go for us we can easily come back the next day and be ready. We showed a full team effort tonight.” Morton [4-0] would pitch a total of 7.1 shutout innings allowing three hits. In his 102 ... Read More
Brewers clinch series win over Pirates with 4-1 victory
Jason Rogers came into the game with five hits against left-handed pitching. It was his bat, however, that contributed to a 4-1 Milwaukee Brewers victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. “Rogers had the two big hits for sure and it was a nice game by Jason," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "He’s not in there every day and he’s facing one of the better starters in our division and has a nice night. That’s why he’s here.” Rogers first hit his second home run of the season to left field in ... Read More
Cole wins fourth consecutive start; Pirates win another series
Gerrit Cole won his fourth start of the season throwing seven innings in a 3-0 Pirates victory against the Atlanta Braves. Cole [9-2] now is tied with Felix Hernandez for the most wins and ERA [1.73]. His 116 pitches represent a career high. He also is the first Pirates pitcher since Emil Yde in 1924-25 to win 30 games in his first 53 starts. Since September 7, 2014, Cole has 12 wins, which represents the most in the major leagues during that time period. Pirates starters have now recorded ... Read More
Pirates win streak hits four with victory over Braves
The Pittsburgh Pirates offense had 12 hits in a series opening 10-8 victory against the Atlanta Braves. Charlie Morton [3-0] did just enough to earn a victory against his former team, throwing five innings allowing four runs [three earned]. Morton also walked three batters and struck out one on 82 pitches, 50 of which were for strikes. Morton once again displayed his ground ball ability as the Braves had nine ground ball outs and two fly balls. The Braves scored two runs in the first ... Read More
Morton goes seven innings in Pirates win
Charlie Morton came into Saturday night's start with five career RBI and one win on the season. Each increased by one during the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-2 victory over the San Diego Padres. Morton [2-0] pitched his second consecutive seven inning outing surrendering two runs [one earned] on three hits. He threw 85 pitches, 57 of which were for strikes. Morton also got 16 ground ball outs and no fly ball outs in his outing. "It was a big boost," Josh Harrison said to Root Sports. "He went out ... 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
Liriano fans season high; Pirates earn sweep
Starling Marte stepped to the plate Sunday as a .301 hitter in the cleanup spot of the lineup, he ended up touching home after a three-run home run off New York Mets reliever Erik Goeddel. This after Goeddel intentionally walked Andrew McCutchen. “Pick your poison, that’s the way I look at it," McCutchen said. The Pittsburgh Pirates earned their third sweep of the season and second at PNC Park after a 9-1 victory against the Mets in front of a sellout crowd of 37,784 at PNC Park Sunday ... Read More
Pirates swept on Mauer home run in extra innings
Andrew McCutchen did not want to see his Pittsburgh Pirates get swept by the Minnesota Twins, so he took matters into his own hands. His eighth inning home run tied the game and eventually sent the game in to extra innings. On a night where the Pittsburgh Steelers trademark song Renegade was played in a tribute to Troy Polamalu, the Pirates pulled off their version of a fourth-quarter comeback but fell in overtime, by a 4-3 score in the 13th inning. “You keep trying to find a way to ... Read More
Pirates pregame 5/19: Marte buys into cleanup role
The Pittsburgh Pirates begin their second Interleague series and third homestand of the 2015 season tonight against the Minnesota Twins. The Pirates ended a four game losing streak on Sunday with its 3-0 victory against the Chicago Cubs. Now after a day off, they start an eight-game homestand. This is the third time the Pirates have played the Twins at home since the opening of PNC Park. The Pirates won two of three games when the teams met June 19-21 in 2012. The Pirates lost two of ... Read More
McCutchen’s defense helps Pirates avoid sweep
Though A.J. Burnett struggled at times with his control, he was able to pitch seven shutout innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates avoided a sweep with its 3-0 victory against the Chicago Cubs. Andrew McCutchen is not known for his defense, however two plays he made significantly helped the Pirates in this game. In the bottom of the second inning with Miguel Montero on first base after a single, Burnett got Chris Coghlan to fly out to the Pirates center fielder. McCutchen got a late break on ... Read More