The Pirates are red hot, they head into today's game winners of five in a row. What's been fueled the five-game winning streak? [poll id="136"] ... Read More
Cole learns to trust off-speed pitches
Gerrit Cole had always been a pitcher that blew his fastball past hitters, however a conversation two years ago with former Pittsburgh Pirate John Buck changed this mindset. "He told me not to overthrow the breaking ball and not to overthrow the changeup," Cole said. This change in addition to injuries during the 2014 season allowed for Cole to place more trust in his off-speed pitches. Buck's remarks were echoed by pitching coach Ray Searage, who had similar observations after seeing ... Read More
Pirates use two out offense in series win
The Pittsburgh Pirates scored all of its runs with two outs in the inning and earned a second consecutive series victory with its 5-1 victory over the Miami Marlins. “We always love it, we’ve definitely had our share," manager Clint Hurdle said of the two out hitting. "They hurt when you’re in the dugout and you feel it. It comes down to putting away innings and Locke didn’t give up one tonight. At the end of the night they left 10 runners on base so they had their opportunities to do the ... Read More
Pirates pregame 5/26: team faces new starter; Worley adjusts to new role
The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to earn its second consecutive series win and its fourth straight victory over a National League East opponent when it faces the Miami Marlins tonight. A win would place the Pirates at 23-22 on the season. The Pirates won a 4-2 game last night with Charlie Morton earning a victory in his first start of the season. Francisco Cervelli hit his first home run of the season, also the first from any Pirates catcher. Pedro Alvarez contributed with an opposite field ... Read More
Morton grounds Marlins in Pirates victory
When Francisco Cervelli came to the plate in Monday night's Pirate game, he as well as the rest of the team's catchers had not hit a home run all season. That changed with one swing of the bat. An opposite field three-run home run powered the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 4-2 series opening win against the Miami Marlins. Charlie Morton [1-0] made his season debut and allowed three hits to hits first four batters and seven through four. He was able to limit the Marlins to one hit in his last ... Read More
Down on the farm: Hanson gives Pirates flexibility at middle infield
During the Pittsburgh Pirates 20-year losing streak, having too much talent at one position was one of the few problems the Bucs ever had to deal with. However, a cluttered middle infield in the majors and upper minors could lead to that very problem. But it’s a good problem to have. Here is what we do know. Josh Harrison is entrenched at third base for the long term. In the off-season, the 27-year-old signed a four-year extension with the club, with team options for the 2019 and 2020 ... Read More
Pirates pregame 5/25: Liz designated for assignment; Morton makes season debut
The Pittsburgh Pirates will conclude an eight game homestand with a three game series against the Miami Marlins. The Pirates lost the first two games to the Minnesota Twins before earning a sweep against the New York Mets. Now the Miami Marlins come to town on a two game winning streak after losing its eight games prior. Tonight’s starters: The Pirates will send Charlie Morton to the mound for the first time this season. The Marlins will counter with David Phelps [2-1 3.21 ... Read More
Liriano fans season high; Pirates earn sweep
Starling Marte stepped to the plate Sunday as a .301 hitter in the cleanup spot of the lineup, he ended up touching home after a three-run home run off New York Mets reliever Erik Goeddel. This after Goeddel intentionally walked Andrew McCutchen. “Pick your poison, that’s the way I look at it," McCutchen said. The Pittsburgh Pirates earned their third sweep of the season and second at PNC Park after a 9-1 victory against the Mets in front of a sellout crowd of 37,784 at PNC Park Sunday ... Read More
Huntington discusses draft, Glasnow, Kingham
In what may be the last time he meets with reporters before the MLB Draft, Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington discussed the class, minor league depth and addressed whether Chris Stewart was Gerrit Cole's personal catcher. The MLB Draft will be June 8-June 10, and for the second consecutive year, the Pirates will be picking late. “This is a really good class to be picking from the back end of the first round," Huntington said. "There’s a ton of gray at the top of the draft, ... Read More
Pirates pregame 5/24: Tabata in lineup; Liriano hopes to rebound
The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking for its third series sweep of the season this afternoon when it takes on the New York Mets. The Pirates were 4-1 and 8-2 winners in games one and two. Today’s starters: The Pirates will send Francisco Liriano [1-4 4.15 ERA] to the mound against Jonathon Niese [3-4 3.72 ERA]. Liriano is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA in one career start against the Mets. He struck out nine batters in the start over the course of 5.1 innings. He lost his last start against the ... Read More