Michael Friend — The snow is finally starting to melt, clear, blue skies have replaced the perpetual gray clouds and the birds have returned to western Pa., to serenade us with their songs. The temperature isn’t the only thing that’s heating up in and around the Steel City, as the race for the NHL playoffs loom. The Penguins have clinched a spot and look to stave off other hungry teams fighting, figuratively and literally in some cases, for a spot in the quest for Lord Stanley’s Cup. While ... Read More
Locke reinstated from 15-day DL, sent to Indy
The Pirates have reinstated 2013 All-Star Jeff Locke from the 15-day disabled list. Locke was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. Locke made a rehab start on Wednesday with High-A Bradenton, as he threw 82 pitches over six innings. ... Read More
El Toro Strikes Again, Bucs Defeat Cubs
Pedro Alvarez continued his sizzling start to 2014 in a big way on Thursday afternoon, hitting a monstrous three-run home run that propelled the Pirates (6-3) to a series win over the Chicago Cubs (3-6) in a rubber match at Wrigley Field. The game did not go well for Pittsburgh in the first six innings, as they trailed 4-0 with Gerrit Cole suffering from a two-error third inning and a rough fourth inning. Chicago plated three runs in that fourth, the last of which was scored by Starlin Castro ... Read More
Alvarez, Martin four combined home runs aren’t enough as Pirates lose to Cubs
The Pittsburgh Pirates will have to wait until Thursday afternoon to try and do something they have not done since 1992; win their third consecutive series to begin a season. Jason Hammel (2-0) had his second commanding performance against the Pirates in a week. Wandy Rodriguez (0-2) struggled through five innings of work, giving up nine hits, along with four earned runs as the Chicago Cubs cruised to a 7-5 win at a windy Wrigley Field. The Cubs got off to a quick start compliments of you ... Read More
Pirates Slip Past Castro, Cubs
After finishing 2013 with an impressive 44-37 record away from PNC Park in the regular season, the Pirates (5-2) continued traveling well with a 7-6 victory at Wrigley Field on Tuesday night. Starter Charlie Morton (0-0) went six innings, allowing five runs on eight hits and a walk. He mostly struggled against one hitter, Cubs SS Starlin Castro, who hit two home runs and drove in four in his team's losing effort. Tony Watson (2-0) earned the win in relief, despite allowing a run that tied ... Read More
Volquez Outduels Wainwright in Pirates 2-1 Victory
Edinson Volquez matched Adam Wainwright pitch-for-pitch on Sunday afternoon as he allowed the Pirates to stick around with the Cardinals enough to pull out a 2-1 victory in the final game of the Pirates opening series homestand. Volquez was the sixth-straight Pirates starter to allow the lead-off hitter to reach base (Bonifacio 3 times, Carpenter 3 times) when Matt Carpenter singled into center. He followed by retiring the next 14 Cardinals before allowing a one-out single to ... Read More
The Experience of Gerrit Cole
Gerrit Cole is the future of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitching staff. The 22-year old righty showed massive improvement as the season progressed last year as he earned NL Rookie of the Month honors in September. He followed that month up by starting two games in the 2013 NLDS against the Cardinals where he went 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA. Usually, once a player makes the jump to the majors, he has to work on a few things in the offseason that he didn't in the minors. That wasn't the case for Cole as his ... Read More
Jameson Taillon to have Tommy John Surgery
Jameson Taillon has been diagnosed with an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. After seeking a second opinion that confirmed the original diagnosis and not receiving relief from his symptoms despite a period of rest, the decision was made to seek additional opinions. Based on multiple medical opinions and recommendations, Jameson has elected to have Tommy John surgery which will be performed Dr. David Altchek. Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington spoke with the ... Read More
Pirate of the Week: Pedro Alvarez
The Pittsburgh Pirates have had a solid start to their season with a few exciting games already this season. One of those games, the opening game of the series with the St. Louis Cardinals, a hitting clinic was put on by the Pirates as they scored 12 runs against their NL Central rivals. Leading the way was third baseman Pedro Alvarez. Alvarez put the Pirates on top in the bottom of the second with a solo blast in his first at-bat of the game. His next time up, leading off the bottom of ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 4/6: Lineups, Hurdle Talks Volquez’s Confidence
Good morning from PNC Park where today the Pirates (3-2) finish their opening homestand of the 2014 season in the rubber match of a 3-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals (3-2). Edinson Volquez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will take the hill for the Bucs and oppose Adam Wainwright (1-0, 0.00). It was Wainwright who denied the Pirates a NLCS birth in game 5 of last seasons NLDS. Hurdle's Quotes On Volquez's improvements -- "For those that have watched every outing from the start of spring training, ... Read More