PIT Homepage News

Baseball dignitaries will represent at '13 Draft

Spencer Fordin — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:00:03 EDT

A star-studded cast of accomplished baseball legends will be on hand for the first day of the First-Year Player Draft on June 6, as the league welcomes its next crop of top prospects.

Pirates showing organization is on the rise

Steven Petrella — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:36:45 EDT

Slowly but surely, things have begun to turn around under the guidance of general manager Neal Huntington, and the Pirates' farm system is now ranked seventh in baseball.

Solo shot all Locke needs as Pirates top Astros

Tom Singer — Sun, 19 May 2013 17:50:45 EDT

Jeff Locke added seven dominant innings to his growing trail in the Pirates' series-clinching 1-0 victory over the Astros at PNC Park on Sunday afternoon.

McCutchen has no structural damage in sore knee

Tom Singer — Sun, 19 May 2013 12:47:26 EDT

Starling Marte was due to miss his second start of the season, left out of the Pirates' original lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Astros. Instead, Andrew McCutchen missed his second start, scratched with a sore right knee.

Hurdle ejected after close play at the plate

Tom Singer and Steven Petrella — Sat, 18 May 2013 23:53:11 EDT

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle was ejected from Saturday night's 4-2 loss against the Astros after Houston took a 3-2 lead in the top of the 11th inning.

Pirates fall in 11th after bullpen has rare misstep

Tom Singer — Sun, 19 May 2013 01:03:25 EDT

Jason Castro scored from third base on Matt Dominguez's grounder with one out in the 11th inning, a controversial run that snapped a 2-2 tie and sent the Astros to a 4-2 victory over the Bucs.

Pirates hold ceremony for Honorary Bat Girl

Tom Singer and Steven Petrella — Sat, 18 May 2013 19:29:25 EDT

The Pirates held a pregame ceremony on Saturday for Maria Heddleston, their winner of MLB's Honorary Bat Girl Contest.

Opposite-field hit may be good sign for McCutchen

Tom Singer and Steven Petrella — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:52:53 EDT

Center fielder Andrew McCutchen singled to the opposite field in Friday's ninth inning. It was just his fifth hit to the right half of the outfield at PNC Park this season.

Persistent Pirates benefit from unexpected mishap

Tom Singer and Steven Petrella — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:41:36 EDT

Given a chance to reflect on Friday night's victory on a walk-off popup, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle was pretty sure of two things: (a) It was the type of game his 2011 and '12 Bucs would not have found a way to win and (b) tape of the finish makes a pretty good instructional video for players and staff in the team's Minor League system.

Hughes returns to Pirates with improved delivery

Tom Singer and Steven Petrella — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:32:37 EDT

Reliever Jared Hughes and his improved delivery were at the ready in the Bucs' bullpen Saturday night.

Hughes recalled from Triple-A to replace Contreras

Tom Singer — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:45:48 EDT

Righty Jose Contreras suffered a death in his family and left PNC Park before the game against the Houston Astros. The move returns righty Jared Hughes to the bullpen in which he was such a big part during his rookie season in 2012.

Pirates beneficiaries from error of Astros' ways

Tom Singer — Sat, 18 May 2013 10:30:00 EDT

All the stars aligned in the proper order, and in the end there was Russell Martin clanging a second error off the Houston right fielder's glove for a 5-4 Pirates victory on Friday at PNC Park.

Pirates' pitchers racking up strikeouts

Tom Singer and Steven Petrella — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:16:43 EDT

Three years after they ranked last in the National League in strikeouts, the Pirates (330 entering Friday) are on the verge of overtaking the Reds (334) for the league lead. In the first quarter of this season, the staff has already had nearly as many games with strikeouts in double-figures (15) as it had in all of 2010 (16).

Pirates welcome former division rival to town

Tom Singer and Steven Petrella — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:16:40 EDT

Clint Hurdle, like any manager would, said that his Pirates will take the same approach against the Astros as they would against anyone else. But he admitted the familiarity with Houston makes things a little easier.

Gomez making most of his opportunity to start

Tom Singer and Steven Petrella — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:16:37 EDT

The Pirates made righty Jeanmar Gomez a long reliever to begin 2013, and he surrendered only four runs in 13 2/3 innings during five appearances. But Gomez has gotten the opportunity to start three games in the last few months, and cashed in on that chance.

Snider's three-hit night backs Liriano's strong start

Steven Petrella — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:18:01 EDT

Travis Snider hit a two-run, fifth-inning rocket over the right-center-field wall to back starter Francisco Liriano, and it was all the offense that the Pirates would need in a 7-1 win over the Brewers Thursday night at PNC Park.

Bucs' bullpen living up to 'Shark Tank' nickname

Tom Singer and Steven Petrella — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:10:26 EDT

Opponents have something to fear in the Pirates' bullpen, and its nickname seems to fit the bill. Setup man Mark Melancon dubbed the team's group of relievers the "Shark Tank" on Twitter earlier this season, and it has been as deadly as its moniker.

Hurdle hails Martin's tremendous defensive play

Tom Singer and Steven Petrella — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:10:24 EDT

A relatively mundane, inconsequential and totally overlooked play by Russell Martin in the Pirates' Wednesday night victory was hailed by multiple team veterans as one of the best they had ever witnessed.

Hurdle gratified with Bucs' attitude, effort, direction

Tom Singer and Steven Petrella — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:10:22 EDT

Prior to the start of Thursday's game against Milwaukee, manager Clint Hurdle talked glowingly of the team's 40-game performance.

Wandy outlasts Gallardo as Bucs top Brewers

Tom Singer — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:44:38 EDT

Wandy Rodriguez stuck to Yovani Gallardo long enough for the Bucs to get enough of an upper hand for a 3-1 victory over Milwaukee at PNC Park.

McCutchen's slump-busting strategy: Just keep hitting

Tom Singer and Steven Petrella — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:43:02 EDT

It is only the middle of May, but Andrew McCutchen has already weathered two long slumps this young season. In late April, he went through a career-long 1-for-28 drought, and he dealt more recently with a 2-for-19 drag.

Mercer's quick return comes vs. Gallardo

Tom Singer and Steven Petrella — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:42:58 EDT

On Wednesday, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle sat Pedro Alvarez and Clint Barmes, who took a seat in favor of Jordy Mercer.

For now, Hurdle OK with lefty-heavy rotation

Tom Singer and Steven Petrella — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:42:56 EDT

Francisco Liriano will start Thursday's finale of the four-game series against the Brewers, marking the second straight time the Bucs will have the three lefties -- including Jeff Locke and Wandy Rodriguez -- follow one another to the mound.

Bucs place McDonald on DL; Mercer recalled

Adam Berry — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:40:57 EDT

The Pirates placed infielder John McDonald on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday due to a low back strain and recalled infielder Jordy Mercer from Triple-A Indianapolis to take his spot.

Umpire Culbreth hit by foul ball, forced to exit game

Tom Singer — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:53:58 EDT

Umpire Fieldin Culbreth, working home plate in Tuesday night's game between the Pirates and the Brewers, was forced to leave in the 11th inning with an apparent injury to his left collarbone.

McCutchen hits walk-off homer as Bucs win in extras

Tom Singer — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:25:26 EDT

Andrew McCutchen was a blur running around the bases after driving Mike Fiers' 2-2 pitch into PNC Park's right-field bleachers leading off the 12th inning on Tuesday to give the Pirates a 4-3 walk-off over the dreaded Milwaukee Brewers.

Martin thwarts Brewers' run game in return

Tom Singer and Steven Petrella — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:17:25 EDT

Russell Martin started Tuesday night after dealing with soreness in his neck during the last week, and said before the game that he doesn't have any concerns in regards to the injury. He added that he feels confident getting back into the lineup, both offensively and defensively.

Tabata finding own identity away from Clemente

Tom Singer and Steven Petrella — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:17:22 EDT

During Spring Training, Jose Tabata mentioned that his plan for re-launching his career included breaking away from his well-known dotage of Roberto Clemente. His adoration of the Pirates immortal remains but, "I have to be my own person. I wanted to get my own identity," he said.

Brewers continue to mystify Burnett, Bucs

Tom Singer — Tue, 14 May 2013 00:10:01 EDT

Right-hander A.J. Burnett went seven innings, allowing three earned runs with six strikeouts, but the Pirates' offense managed only four hits in a 5-1 loss to the Brewers on Monday night at PNC Park.

Walker back with Bucs; Mercer sent down

Tom Singer — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:49:29 EDT

Neil Walker has been reinstated from the 15-day disabled list by the Pirates, who made room for their regular second baseman by optioning Jordy Mercer back to Indianapolis.