PIT Homepage News

Liriano aims to build on recent success vs. Cubs

Mark Emery — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:13:28 EDT

On Wednesday, the Cubs send Jeff Samardzija to the hill at PNC Park. The righty owns a 0.92 career ERA against the Bucs in 14 outings. The Pirates counter with Francisco Liriano, who has notched two solid starts since his return from the DL.

Snider's pinch-hit grand slam lifts Bucs over Cubs

Steven Petrella — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:41:28 EDT

Travis Snider hit a two-out, pinch-hit grand slam in the sixth inning to give the Pirates a 5-4 victory over the Cubs at PNC Park Tuesday.

Former pitcher Tekulve, scout Guzik to rep Bucs at Draft

Steven Petrella — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:44:02 EDT

The Pirates will be represented on the first day of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft by former pitcher Kent Tekulve, who had 70 wins and 158 saves with the Bucs from 1974-1985, and pro scout Rob Guzik.

Hughes sent to Triple-A; Contreras activated

Steven Petrella — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:26:05 EDT

Jared Hughes had his locker cleared and his bags packed just two and a half days after he arrived in Pittsburgh. He barely got to settle in before he was right back out the door, as Jose Contreras was activated from the bereavement list.

Okla. native Mercer sends thoughts to tornado victims

Steven Petrella — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:26:01 EDT

Jordy Mercer didn't have any family or friends directly affected by a fatal tornado that ravaged part of Oklahoma City and its suburbs on Monday. But Mercer is sending plenty of prayers that way.

McCutchen back in lineup after knee soreness

Steven Petrella — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:25:58 EDT

Andrew McCutchen started Tuesday night after sitting Sunday with soreness in his right knee.

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.

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.