As the trade deadline looms closer to its conclusion, the Pittsburgh Pirates have added a piece to its bullpen with the acquisition of Joe Blanton from the Kansas City Royals. Blanton was designated for assignment by the Royals after the acquisition of Johnny Cueto from the Cincinnati Reds. He went 2-2 with two saves [in two opportunities] to compliment a 3.89 ERA in 15 appearances [four starts] this season. The right-handed pitcher has thrown 41.2 innings this season and in his past 11 ... Read More
Pirates sweep Twins; onto Cincinnati
The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Minnesota Twins by a 10-4 score Wednesday afternoon to secure its league-leading 11th sweep of the season. This contest featured five total errors, one of which the Pirates used to create separation on the scoreboard. The Pirates scored first as Jung Ho Kang homered to left field with one out. It was his seventh of the season and his second in as many days. The Pirates are now 34-10 when scoring first. In the bottom half of the inning Eddie Rosario ... Read More
Report: Pirates promote pitcher Tyler Glasnow to Triple-A
Pirates fans have been waiting patiently to see what the team will do to improve itself before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline on Friday. The Pirates have been linked to numerous right-handed outfielders and relievers, but perhaps the most impactful move for the future of the team took place this morning, as Sean McCool of Pirates Prospects reports that the Pirates have promoted their No. 1 prospect Tyler Glasnow to Triple-A Indianapolis. Source: #Pirates are promoting top prospect ... Read More
Kang plays hero in Pirates victory
Pittsburgh Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle has consistently given Jung Ho Kang a lineup card following each time he accomplishes a first in the major leagues. Tuesday night likely will be no different as his go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth inning gave the Pirates an 8-7 road victory over the Minnesota Twins. Earlier, Gregory Polanco had four at-bats, three of which resulted in hard-hit contact, however each were outs. In the eighth inning and the bases loaded however the script ... Read More
COLUMN: Winners from trade deadline don’t always win in playoffs
If there is one thing that can be predicted about the MLB trade deadline each year, it is that it is unpredictable. The big deadline winners have rarely made it to the World Series as of late, while some teams that make little to no moves end up winning the pennant. Last season, for example, the Oakland Athletics came away as the deadline’s big winner. They went all-in to acquire pitchers Jeff Samardzija, Jason Hammel and Jon Lester and gave up outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and top prospects ... Read More
PNC Park voted best ballpark in MLB
Approximately 91,000 fans let their voices be heard, and the final result was that PNC Park was voted the best ballpark in Major League Baseball. The voting was conducted online and took multiple rounds to determine the winner. “There are so many outstanding MLB ballparks out there, and our readers certainly know quality when they see it,” said Kevin Reichard, Ballpark Digest publisher in a press release. “With a lovely Allegheny River location and the ultimate site in downtown Pittsburgh, PNC ... Read More
Pirates win series in front of sellout crowd
Up by two runs with starter Gerrit Cole out of the game, Tony Watson faced Bryce Harper with two on and two out. Harper hit a ground ball that Sean Rodriguez read off a hop and ran to the bag to record the third out. “It was one of those in-between ones," Rodriguez said. "That was basically one of those that if I get to it then there’s no play at first but I could at least keep a run from scoring. I took that chance and [Walker] said it was the right read.” The Pittsburgh Pirates took ... Read More
Neal Huntington presser 7/26: Harrison, Lambo, Sadler among injury updates; Hanson continues progression
Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington met with reporters prior to Sunday afternoon's game against the Washington Nationals and tackled topics ranging from injury updates, trade deadline conversation and some of the players on the major league roster. On Gorkys Hernandez: “Gorkys has gone out and played a couple of games with [Triple-A] Indianapolis and looks healthy. Our anticipation is if he continues this way we’ll activate him and have to make a decision.” Regarding Rob ... Read More
Pirates pregame 7/26: Ramirez discusses love for basketball; Scahill roots on teammates
Following a 9-3 loss by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Washington Nationals, the home team hopes to take three of four against a team that is leading the National League East. Gerrit Cole [13-4 2.31 ERA] will face Joe Ross [2-2 2.70 ERA] in this afternoon's contest. Cole is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two career starts against the Nationals. Cole lost his last start against the Kansas City Royals allowing three runs [two earned] on five hits over the course of 7.1 innings of work. Ross is ... Read More
Pirates overwhelmed by Nationals offense
Ask A.J. Burnett about his start in Saturday night's loss and he would not discuss the eight strikeouts, but rather all of the mistakes he made. “I’m hitting guys in the foot, throwing balls down the middle, throwing balls away from first, I didn’t cover home," Burnett said. "I got strike outs but I’ve got to keep the balls in the lanes and in the corners.” The Pittsburgh Pirates appeared to be on the verge of a comeback following a three-run sixth inning, but one swing of the bat from Ian ... Read More