Prior to Friday night's contest against the San Francisco Giants, the Pittsburgh Pirates recalled Josh Harrison from his rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis. The corresponding move for Harrison was to designate Josh Wall for assignment. Harrison was placed on the disabled list July 6 with left thumb surgery and the Pirates posted a 25-13 record in his absence. Wall never had the opportunity to pitch for the Pirates through he did throw in the bullpen during the ninth inning of ... Read More
Face Off Friday: What to do about the ‘woo’
Gar Bercury On September 4, 2012, the Pirates beat a historically dreadful Houston Astros squad 6-2 at PNC Park. From a baseball standpoint, there was little that made this game especially memorable. Sure, the loss would drop the Astros to a 42-94 record (Remember how terrible that team was?) and Wandy Rodriguez actually pitched well enough to get the win despite of a rain delay. The only other notable thing you could get from the box score is that Brock Holt went 4-for-5 that night, ... Read More
Alvarez making improvements in becoming two-way player
No Pirates player gets more reaction for better or worse than Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Pedro Alvarez. It isn't for lack of trying. One of the first things that come to mind when Alvarez's name comes up with players and coaches on the team is how hard he works. “His work ethic is as good as anybody that’s been around," hitting coach Jeff Branson said. "It’s nothing any different, he’s just simplified his plan and his sights of where he wants pitches. All of the drill work he does every ... Read More
Pirates shutout Giants in series opener
Charlie Morton came into Thursday night's game against the San Francisco Giants having not lost a game since July 22, and after a 4-0 victory, that streak continued. “I think we’re watching Charlie develop into more of a complete pitcher with a sinker ball rather than a single ball pitcher," manager Clint Hurdle said. The Pirates are now a season-high 25 games over .500. Morton [8-4] used his off-speed pitches to overwhelm the Giants offense. Unlike previous games, this start was not so ... Read More
Pirates pregame 8/20: Morton works on confidence
Earlier in the season, the Pittsburgh Pirates swept a road series against the San Francisco Giants. The Pirates hope to do the same in a four-game series that begins tonight. In tonight’s game, Charlie Morton [7-4 4.36 ERA] takes on Jake Peavy [3-5 4.18 ERA]. Morton is 3-4 with a 2.84 ERA in 11 career starts against the Giants. In his last start Morton earned a no-decision allowing three runs [two earned] on four hits in 6.4 innings against the New York Mets. Morton's journey this ... Read More
Happ back on track with Pirates
It was the smallest of sample sizes, one start but it was enough for the Pittsburgh Pirates to push the reset button on J.A. Happ. The results, though again a small sample size, have been very encouraging. Happ had a successful first half, however he came to the Pirates with the lowest average appearance length among starting pitchers with 20 or more starts. He appeared to prove this with his first appearance for the Pirates when he allowed four runs on nine hits in just 4.1 innings against ... Read More
Marte’s hand injury contributing to power outage
On Tuesday night, Pirates left fielder Starling Marte hit a home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was his first home run since July 1. He batted .279 between his home runs and hit .217 [10-for-46] this month prior to the homer. Following Wednesday night's Pirates victory, Marte discussed his injured hand and acknowledged the difficulties that it has caused. “I’ve been hurt on my hand," Marte said. "It’s hard to hit, but I’m just trying to be ready." Marte has had his share of ... Read More
Pirates, Happ secure series victory
The Pittsburgh Pirates secured its 20th series victory with a 4-1 victory Wednesday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks. J.A. Happ [1-1] went six innings for the Pirates in his longest start with the team. He also surrendered two hits, his lowest total as a starting pitcher since September 12, 2014 against the Tampa Bay Rays. In the game, the Pirates recorded a three-run second inning. The inning started when Jung Ho Kang was hit by a pitch. Francisco Cervelli then added a single and ... Read More
Pirates pregame 8/19: Wall joins bullpen; Florimon DFA’d
Many fans may have already been asleep, however the Pittsburgh Pirates were not and won 9-8 in 15 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks. In tonight's game J.A. Happ [0-1 4.66 ERA] will face Robbie Ray [3-8 3.29 ERA]. Happ is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in four career appearances [three starts] against the Diamondbacks. He earned a no-decision in his last start against the New York Mets he allowed one run on seven hits in 5.1 innings of work. Ray is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA in one career start ... Read More
Andrew McCutchen elected to Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame
Pittsburgh Pirates centerfielder Andrew McCutchen has been elected to the Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame. McCutchen participated in the 2007 Arizona Fall League for the Phoenix Desert Dogs where he posted a .286/.381/.378 slash line and a .758 OPS with five doubles, two triples, four RBI, 13 runs scored and eight stolen bases in 11 chances. The 28-year-old is one of the youngest players to get the call to the Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame, but the accolades McCutchen has already ... Read More