Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Sunday, October 4, 2015. What's on tap for today: The Pirates (97-64) need a win over the Reds (64-97) today or a Cubs loss to ensure home-field advantage for the Wild Card game. J.A. Happ will take the hill for the Bucs, who have won seven of his nine starts. First pitch is at 3:05 p.m. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh Pittsburgh headlines: Veteran Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett made his final start of the regular season last night, ... Read More
Pirates’ Burnett loses final regular season start
Even the Cincinnati Reds were among those standing for A.J. Burnett as he made his final regular season start. Unfortunately for him, the Pittsburgh Pirates offered little run support in a 3-1 losing effort Saturday night. Burnett's [9-7] ovation came from 34,180 fans, a mark which allowed the Pirates to set a new single-season attendance record. Fans waved Batman flags and begged Burnett for a curtain call which he did. Burnett also acknowledged the Reds dugout as he came off the field. “It ... Read More
Pirates select Cole to start Wild Card Game
In a move that will not surprise many Pittsburgh Pirates fans, manager Clint Hurdle announced Saturday afternoon that Gerrit Cole will be the team's starting pitcher for Wednesday's Wild Card game against the Chicago Cubs. “We pretty much scripted it out when we scripted the entire rotation three weeks ago," Hurdle said. For Cole this will be his first time starting game one of a wild card game, an opportunity he is looking forward to. “It’s special," Cole said. "[Hurdle] continues to ... Read More
Pirates seek to secure home field advantage; Burnett makes final regular season start
A 12 inning 6-4 victory for the Pittsburgh Pirates that a win today or a Chicago Cubs loss, would secure home field advantage for the NL Wild Card Game. With manager Clint Hurdle's announcement that Gerrit Cole will get the Pirates and the Cubs equally slam dunk decision in starting Jake Arrieta for Wednesday's game, the location is one of the few things left to determine. A.J. Burnett hopes to be able to solve the puzzle with his 10th win of the season when he faces Brandon ... Read More
AM Joe: Wet football weekend looms
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Saturday, October 3, 2015. What's on tap for today: Pitt (2-1) will visit the Virginia Tech Hokies (2-2) for their first ACC contest of the 2015 season. Freshman running back Darrin Hall will be out with a leg injury for the Panthers, while the Hokies will be without star cornerback Kendall Fuller. Kickoff is at noon. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh Penn State (3-1) will host Army (1-3) for their fourth straight home game at Beaver Stadium. ... Read More
Marte lifts Pirates in extra innings
Starling Marte's second game-winning home run of the season gave the Pirates a 6-4 win in 12 innings over the Cincinnati Reds Friday night. This also gave the Reds their 13th loss, the most since 1945. "This is a big win for us, a resilient win for us because we’ve done this a few times this year," Jordy Mercer said. Jay Bruce entered play 2-for-21 lifetime against Francisco Liriano, however had two hits against him in this contest. The first was a second inning single which was ... Read More
Pirates pregame 10/2: Reds series wraps up regular season
Though the Pittsburgh Pirates missed out on their chance to win the National League Central, it still has plenty to fight for as it faces the Cincinnati Reds this weekend. "We’re still chasing," manager Clint Hurdle said. "We’re focused on winning the game today. Our goal is to nail down the opportunity to play at home.” The Reds are on a 12-game losing streak currently, and a loss would be the longest drought since 1945. In tonight's contest, Francisco Liriano faces Keyvius ... Read More
AM Joe: Plenty of blame for Steelers loss
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Friday, October 2, 2015. What's on tap for today: Wrapping up their marathon preseason, the Penguins (3-4-0) are in Raleigh, NC for their preseason finale against the Carolina Hurricanes. 7:00 p.m. WXDX-FM 105.9 The X The Pirates (96-63) host he Reds (63-96) in the first of a three-game series at PNC Park. Despite the Cardinals clinching the division on Wednesday night, the Pirates still must make sure to stay ahead of the Cubs for ... Read More
COLUMN: Hurdle to blame for Morton’s struggles
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle admitted that Wednesday's game was important and handed the ball to Charlie Morton. Whoops. Morton made it through two-plus innings before Hurdle emphatically took him out of the game. Mind you, it was the most emphatic removal I have ever seen. The movement up the step was decisive and so was the long, exaggerated arm point to signal the pitching change. From the beginning, Morton looked tired and over-matched, this after having an additional day ... Read More
Column: For Pirates, April and May losses proved costly
Sixteen men left on base. For most Pittsburgh Pirates fans, that was the moment that a possible National League Central Division championship became unrealistic. The inability to hit a medium length fly ball with the bases loaded four times likely cost the Bucs the division. For others it was watching Charlie Morton get lit up like a Christmas tree in the biggest game of the season to date on Wednesday night. But while both losses to the dreaded Cardinals played a big role in why the ... Read More