Last night's loss in the National League Wild Card game has left a bitter taste in the mouths of Pirates fans after a solid 88-74 campaign in 2014, but should it have been expected? The Pirates were facing Madison Bumgarner — one of the best pitchers in the game this season — who dominated the game from first pitch to last out in a complete-game effort. Edinson Volquez could have thrown a gem and they still would have lost. The Pirates finally ran into a good team and couldn't stick with ... Read More
Pirates season ends at the hands of Bumgarner/Crawford
Madison Bumgarner pitched a dominant complete game shutout and Brandon Crawford hit a fourth inning grand slam to pace the Giants to a 8-0 Wild Card victory eliminating the Pirates from postseason competition. Bumgarner had the Pirate bats off balance throughout the night painting the corners and mixing his fastball and off-speed pitches. The Pirates could only scratch together four hits and one walk in the contest and were not able to put more than one runner on until the ninth when the game ... Read More
Pirates – Giants Wild Card Preview
Good afternoon from PNC Park and the 2014 National League Wild Card game where the Pirates (88-74) look to advance to the NLDS as they host the Giants (88-74). Season Series The Pirates took the season series (4-2) to lock up home field for tonight's Wild Card game. Realistically, the six games could have gone either way as five of the six meetings were decided by two runs or less while two were decided in the final inning — a Giants 11-10 win in 10 innings and Starling Marte's walk-off ... Read More
Pirates set Wild Card roster
The Pirates have set their roster for tonight's National League Wild Card game against the Giants. As expected, manager Clint Hurdle has selected nine pitchers and three catchers along with seven infielders and six outfielders. Pitchers RHP Edinson Volquez RHP Vance Worley LHP Jeff Locke RHP John Holdzkom RHP Jared Hughes RHP Mark Melancon LHP Tony Watson LHP Justin Wilson LHP Bobby LaFromboise Catchers RH Russell Martin RH Chris Stewart RH Tony ... Read More
Pirates taking Wild Card as just another game
The Pirates go into Wednesday's National League Wild Card game with a chance to recreate the magic of a year ago. This time around, things could come somewhat easier as they are not the new kid in town. Last years postseason run has this squad confident and comfortable of the surroundings they are about to enter. For guys like Neil Walker, this is just another game. "I don't think you have to approach it a different way," said Walker. "I think the fact that it's just one game to go to the ... Read More
Pirates prepare for another playoff run
For Pirates fans, last year's playoff run might have felt like a dream after breaking the streak and coming within one win of the National League Championship series. This year should feel more like reality. With a core of players that have playoff experience under their belt and a roster that seems to be getting hot at the right time, the Pirates might just have what it takes to extend their season well into October. The offense has made positive strides this season improving their numbers ... Read More
PSN Player of the Week: Gerrit Cole
It looks like Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole is finding his groove at exactly the right time. With Pirates hoping to begin a long journey deep into October in this year's MLB playoffs, Cole will be expected to play a big role in that happening. If this week's performance by the young fireballer is any indication of what lies ahead, the Pirates could be a dangerous team capable of challenging for the National League pennant. In his two starts this week, Cole pitched 14 total innings, recording 20 ... Read More
Continued September dominance from Volquez will be key for Pirates
To say that September has been a great month for the Pirates would be an understatement. After getting swept by the St. Louis Cardinals to begin the month, the Pirates have been white hot. The Pirates have gone on to win 17 of their last 23 contests, propelling them to another trip to the playoffs. Once again, the Pirates will host the National League Wild Card game, this time the opponent will be the San Francisco Giants. With players like Andrew McCutchen, Josh Harrison and Russell Martin ... Read More
Pirates lose season finale; Cardinals take NL Central
Dreams of playing for an NL Central division title crumbled apart in the late innings Sunday for the Pittsburgh Pirates (88-74) at Cincinnati's Great American Ballpark, as the Pirates lost 4-1 to the Reds (76-86). A Pirates victory would have put pressure on St. Louis to win Sunday afternoon in Arizona. In that scenario, a Cardinals loss would have forced a one-game tiebreaker on Monday for the division. Pittsburgh will now, instead, come home to PNC Park to host Wednesday's National League ... Read More
Reds hurt Pirates’ division crown chances
Chances of remaining in contention for a NL Central title took a hit Saturday afternoon for the Pittsburgh Pirates (88-73) with an extra-inning loss to the Cincinnati Reds (75-86). Ramon Santiago hit a grand slam off Bobby LaFramboise to win it 10-6 for the Reds, handing John Axford (2-4) the loss. Dylan Axelrod (2-1) earned the win by pitching a scoreless top of the tenth. Axford walked the first batter he faced in the home half of the tenth and the bases were loaded before Clint ... Read More