Marlon Byrd hit a solo home run in the seventh inning propelling Gerrit Cole and the Pirates to a 2 - 1 victory on Saturday night pulling them aside of the Cardinals, yet again, for the NL Central lead. Byrd's home run came minutes after Sister Sledge's "We Are Family" played on the loud speaker during the inning break as he and Jose Tabata took fans back to 1979 with their version of The Lumber Company with solo shots each giving the Pirates their only runs of the game. It would be enough ... Read More
Pirates Gameday: Wandy Shut Down, Hurdle Talks Grilli Bounceback
The Pirates (85 - 62) look to rebound after last night's tough loss against the Cubs (63 - 84) in the third game of this four-game set. Gerrit Cole (7 - 7, 3.48 ERA) opposes Scott Baker (0 - 0, 0.00 ERA). Leading Off Wandy Rodriguez has been shut down for the remainder of the 2013 season by the Pirates. Rodriguez hasn't pitched since June 5th when he left in the first inning in Atlanta. He had a 6 - 4 record with a 2.59 ERA in 12 starts while striking out 46 and walking 12. The Pirates look to ... Read More
Pirate of the Week: Gerrit Cole
This past week, the Pittsburgh Pirates picked up win number 82 and clinched a winning season for the first time in the past two decades. Sure, there were guys who stepped up at the plate, and sure they drove in runs for the win. But there was one guy who stepped up even more. That man is Gerrit Cole. Cole, who is pitching in his first major league season, took the hill for the Pirates this past Monday. The Pirates stood at 81 wins at the time. His counterpart on the other team was Yu Darvish, ... Read More
Pirates Go Back-To-Back-To-Back, But Fall 5-4
The Pirates led late, but Jason Grilli gave up a two-out, two-run homer to Anthony Rizzo to give the Cubs a 5 - 4 victory in Pittsburgh on Friday night. The Cubs jumped out to an early lead against Charlie Morton when Nate Schierholtz turned a lead-off walk in the second into the games first run, a fielders choice by Darwin Barney as he beat out a double play. They would add two more in the fourth inning when Brian Bogusevic hit a two-out, two-run homer into the bushes to push the Cubs ... Read More
Pirates Gameday: Hurdle Applauds Fans, Gives Marte Update
The Pirates (85 - 61) are back in a tie for first in the NL Central and looking for sole possession as they take on the Cubs (62 - 84). Charlie Morton (7 - 4, 3.44 ERA) will oppose Jake Arrieta (2 - 2, 4.28 ERA). Leading Off The Pirates established a new PNC Park record with 46 wins at home this season, eclipsing the 45 - 36 record from 2012. The last three years in which the Pirates won more than 46 home games, they won the division title (1990-1992). Hurdle's Quotes On the multiple ... Read More
Pirates Drop Magic Number To 9 With 3 – 1 Win
Jeff Locke looked solid as he threw seven innings of four-hit, one-run ball as the Pirates dropped their playoff magic number to 9 with a 3 - 1 victory over the Cubs on Thursday night. Locke retired the first six batters before allowing a lead-off single by Darnell McDonald to start the third. He moved to third on a groundout and scored when Starlin Castro hit a two-out two-strike pitch from Locke into left to make it 1 - 0 Cubs. He would encounter a bit of trouble in the fourth when he ... Read More
Pirates Gameday: Burnett “Addresses” The Media, Hurdle Talks Wandy
The Pirates (84 - 61) take to the home field for the first time tonight since breaking "the streak" as they begin a 4-game series with the Chicago Cubs (62 - 83). Jeff Locke (9 - 5, 3.23 ERA) will face Chris Rusin (2 -3, 2.89 ERA). Leading Off Tonight begins the final homestand of the season for the Pirates, an 11-game set with the Cubs, Padres and Reds. The Pirates will finish the season with three games in Chicago and three in Cincinnati. Burnett Addresses The Media Following Hurdle's ... Read More
Waterloo’s quick hitters
Is Mike Tomlin on the "hot seat?" You're kidding, right? After one game, panic is everywhere in Yinztown. While the team did look pathetic against Tennessee and it won't be good this year (we tried to warn you), it's not because Mike Tomlin is a bad coach. Do I disagree with some of what he does? Yes. Do I think he's a top five coach in the league? No. Is he top 10? Yes. The thing is, with all of the veterans that were signed to big contracts during Tomlin's tenure, this was bound to happen. ... Read More
May we never forget 9/11
Sept. 11, 2001. Since the American Airlines Flight 11 left Boston's Logan Airport that morning, the country has never been the same. The heinous attacks on the Pentagon, Twin Towers and our country haven't been forgotten. It's a moment that no matter the age of the person, will forever be replayed in slow motion. They know where they where, what they were doing and who they were with. I was at Burrell High School in Lower Burrell, Pa. As a freshman in a new school, I didn't know anyone. ... Read More
Pirates take two straight over Rangers
ARLINGTON -- The Rangers snapped a 15-inning scoreless streak in the fifth, but by then, it was too late. The lack of early run support for Martin Perez, who had his roughest start in nearly two months, led to yet another September loss. Texas fell to the Pirates, 5-4, on Tuesday night at Rangers Ballpark for its fifth loss in the last six contests. The Rangers are 2-7 this month and remain two games back in the American League West behind the first-place A's, who lost, 4-3, to the ... Read More