It took extra innings, however the Pittsburgh Pirates scored two runs to defeat the New York Mets by a 3-2 score in 10 innings Friday night. The Pirates are the first National League opponent to defeat the Mets in a game since July 30 [San Diego Padres]. Additionally the Pirates have won their past six extra inning games. The team is also 19-8 against National League East opponents. J.A. Happ told media throughout last homestand that he looked forward to getting the ball again and showing ... Read More
What happens when Harrison and Mercer return?
The phrase you can’t lose your job to injury is commonly heard in sports lore. But Pittsburgh Pirate shortstop Jordy Mercer may soon beg to differ. Despite starting his rehab this week at Triple-A Indianapolis, the Opening Day starting shortstop may not be given his starting job back when he return[s. Nor should it be handed to him. Current starting shortstop Jung Ho Kang used injuries to Mercer and Josh Harrison to propel himself into the Pirates’ everyday lineup and has not looked ... Read More
Pirates avoid sweep with big first inning
The past eight meetings between the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium all had one thing in common; a loss for the visitors. Thursday night, however, the Pirates changed that with a 10-5 victory, their first on the road against the Cardinals in 2015. The Pirates were aided by a seven-run first inning in which they batted around. Neil Walker got a hit from both sides of the place, the first Pirates player to do that in the same inning since at least 1961. Cardinals ... Read More
Pirates lose series, ground in NL Central to Cardinals
Defensive lapses once again reared their head as the Pittsburgh Pirates fell by a 4-2 score Wednesday night to the St. Louis Cardinals. The big blow came in the sixth inning when Gregory Polanco tried to run down a ball in shallow right field. He misjudged it and the ball rolled to the wall. After the dust had cleared, Randal Grichuk scored what proved to be the game-winning run and Yadier Molina was on third base with his second triple of the season. In addition to that miscue, the Pirates ... Read More
Ailing hand holds Marte out
Pirates left fielder Starling Marte will not start tonight's series finale against the Saint Louis Cardinals with a hand injury. The injury, which flared up during last night's game, has been bothering him off and on, according to manger Clint Hurdle. The team characterized the injury as a left hand bruise and Marte is day-to-day. Travis Ishikawa will start in left field in Marte's place. Jung Ho Kang will move up to Marte's usual cleanup spot in the batting order. Marte left the team’s ... Read More
Should Glasnow be considered for Pirates rotation?
The buzz around Pittsburgh for the Pirates to call up top pitching prospect Tyler Glasnow is growing. And it is hard to blame those that want to see him wearing black and gold before year’s end. The team’s once strong rotation is weakening: Francisco Liriano had to be checked by the trainer in the midst of a rough outing his last time out, AJ Burnett is injured, Jeff Locke and Charlie Morton have had as many great moments as face palm-worthy ones and J.A. Happ does not inspire confidence ... Read More
Pirates lose as Locke falters in fifth
The Pittsburgh Pirates fell six games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central following a 4-3 loss Tuesday night. This loss pushed the Pirates to 6-17 on the road this season against NL Central opponents. Jeff Locke [6-7] allowed the leadoff hitter to reach base four innings out of five however, it was the fifth inning that was his undoing. Locke walked the first two batters he faced and then after a mound visit Jason Heyward hit a single to put the Cardinals ... Read More
McCutchen National League Player of the Week
Remember Andrew McCutchen's rough start to the season? It looks like he's well over that, as for the second time this year, he's been named the National League Player of the Week. It's the sixth time that McCutchen has received the honor in his career. McCutchen hit .563 during the week with eight RBI and seven runs. McCutchen added a steal and two home runs en route to the award. He last won the award in the end of May. McCutchen capped off his stellar week by going 7-12 in the Pirates' ... Read More
Bucs big inning sparks comeback, sweep of Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers were looking to hold onto a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning, but instead left down seven runs to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Reliever Jim Johnson [2-5] allowed eight runs on six hits in two-thirds of an inning. He would call it one of his worst outings in his professional career after the game. The Pirates won the game 12-6 and earned their first sweep of the Dodgers in Pittsburgh since 1999. “Wow," manager Clint Hurdle said. "It’s a testament that these ... Read More
Neal Huntington on Cole Tucker’s injury and Vance Worley’s uncertain future
As he does every Sunday home game, Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington met with the media discussing a variety of topics both at the major and minor league level. On Vance Worley accepting assignment: “We are still awaiting word. Obviously our hope is that he will [accept the assignment]. As a guy with more than three years of service and a prior outright he does have the ability to refuse the assignment and go somewhere else. We made it clear that we would love for him to stay ... Read More