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Sunday, May 5, 2013

Regular Season Game #36: Pittsburgh Pirates @ New York Mets

Posted on May 5, 2013 at 10:45 PM.

(0)

May 10, 2013
7:10PM

Citi Field - Flushing, NY
Weather: 46�, Clear
Attendance: 33,974

Pittsburgh Pirates at New York Mets
May 10, 2013	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Pittsburgh (22-14)	0	0	1	3	0	0	0	0	1	5	18	1
New York (11-24)	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	1	0	3	7	1
W: Francisco Liriano (1-0) L: Dillon Gee (3-2) S: Jason Grilli (12)

Pittsburgh Pirates
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
BATTING 2B: N. Walker (8), P. Alvarez 2 (8) HR: A. McCutchen 2 (10), R. Martin (6) RBI: N. Walker (10), A. McCutchen 3 (18), R. Martin (17) HBP: F. Liriano SAC: C. Barmes GIDP: T. Snider
BASERUNNING SB: G. Sanchez (1), T. Snider (1)
FIELDING E: P. Alvarez (1)

Pittsburgh Pirates
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
F. Liriano (W, 1-0)	7.0	5	2	2	2	5	2.57
M. Melancon (H, 5)	1.0	2	1	1	0	2	2.63
J. Grilli (S, 12)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0.66

New York Mets
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
BATTING 2B: I. Davis (14), L. Duda (6), K. Nieuwenhuis (3), M. Byrd (5) RBI: I. Davis (20), L. Duda (19), J. Buck (2) SF: J. Buck GIDP: T. D'Arnaud
FIELDING E: L. Duda (3)

New York Mets
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
D. Gee (L, 3-2)	4.0	11	4	4	0	1	4.66
Z. Wheeler	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	3.28
J. Edgin	1.0	2	0	0	0	2	3.54
S. Atchison	0.0	1	0	0	0	0	3.65
L. Hawkins	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	5.40
F. Francisco	0.1	2	0	0	0	1	2.42
B. Lyon	0.2	0	0	0	0	1	2.61
B. Parnell	1.0	2	1	1	0	0	5.40

Pirates Muster Enough Offense for Win in Liriano's Debut

NEW YORK - The Pirates had A.J. Burnett scheduled to pitch todays game, but with the recent call-up of Francisco Liriano, GM Neil Huntington stated he wanted to keep Liriano on five days rest (he would've pitched in AAA today) to make sure Liriano stays on schedule since returning from his forearm injury. With the victory in yesterdays game, Liriano will look to earn the Pirates their sixth straight victory and his first of the season.

In the top of the 1st, Neil Walker singled with 1 out, followed by a single from Andrew McCutchen. Pedro Alvarez would fly out to the warning track to end scoring threat and the top of the 1st. In the bottom of the 1st, Ruben Tejada reached 1st on an error with 1 out. But Liriano did what he does best, got David Wright to ground out and Ike Davis to strike out to end the inning. The action picked up in the 2nd, as Russell Martin and Jerry Sands singled to lead off the inning. Following a pop out by Clint Barmes, Liriano was hit by a pitch to load the bases. But Travis Snider would ground into a double play to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 2nd, Liriano got Lucas Duda to strike out, but then allowed a ground rule double to Kirk Nieuwenhuis with 2 outs. Liriano would get out of the inning, as Marlon Byrd lined out to Travis Snider. Heading into the top of the 3rd, Dillon Gee was in a pitching groove, until he allowed a solo home run to Andrew McCutchen to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the 4th, Liriano looked to help his own cause, singling and reaching 3rd on an E7. Liriano would be called out at home on a fielders choice by Travis Snider. Neil Walker then doubled scoring Snider to put the Pirates up 2-0. For his second at bat of the game, Andrew McCutchen blasted a 2-run home run, his second of the game, to push the score to 4-0.

In the bottom of the 5th, Kirk Nieuwenhuis reached on a single deflected off Liriano, followed by a double from Marlon Byrd. After Cowgill popped out, Murphy grounded out to end inning. But the Mets would get on the board in the 6th, as Ruben Tejada led off with a walk, scoring on an Ike Davis double.

John Buck hit a sac fly to score Davis and cut the Pirates lead to 2. Marlon Byrd started the bottom of the 7th with a walk, but Travis D'Arnaud ran into a double play, followed by a ground out from Murphy to end the inning. In the top of the 8th, pinch hitter Gaby Sanchez singled, followed by a single from Travis Snider, extending his hitting streak to 11 games. After a double steal from Sanchez & Snider to get into scoring position with 2 outs, Garrett Jones flew out to end the inning.

The Mets had yet to give up, as Ike Davis singled with 2 outs, later scoring on a double from Lucas Duda to bring the Mets to within 1. But Mark Melancon got Justin Turner to ground out to end the 8th. Russell Martin padded the Pirates lead in the top of the 9th, with a solo home run to put the Pirates ahead 5-3. Jason Grilli came in the bottom of the 9th to close the door on the Mets and did just that, collecting his 12th save on the season and the Pirates 6th straight victory.

Player of the Game:

A.J. Burnett will take the mound tomorrow night, opposing Mets youngster Matt Harvey, looking to take the series from the Mets. First pitch, 7:10PM.

5/9/2013: Pirates Make Two Roster Moves

Posted on May 5, 2013 at 10:15 PM.

(0)

by Tom Singer / MLB.com / May 9, 2013

PITTSBURGH - The Pirates announced the following roster moves today:

Pitcher Francisco Liriano has been recalled from AAA-Indianapolis and will make his 1st start tomorrow evening. With recent struggles of Jonathan Sanchez and Jeff Locke, Liriano only made one start at the AAA level, but it was a good one. In his one game pitched, Liriano pitched a complete game, allowing 6 hits, while walking 1 and striking out 14.

Pitcher Jeff Locke has been optioned to AAA-Indianapolis after his most recent struggle in New York. In 7 games pitched (37.1 innings) for the Pirates, Locke allowed 38 hits, walked 6, and struck out 28, while earning a 4.82 average. Locke will step into the Indianapolis rotation, looking to work on his pitch effectiveness and command.

Regular Season Game #35: Pittsburgh Pirates @ New York Mets

Posted on May 5, 2013 at 09:15 AM.

(0)

May 9, 2013
7:10PM

Citi Field - Flushing, NY
Weather: 48�, Clear
Attendance: 26,859

Pittsburgh Pirates at New York Mets
May 9, 2013	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Extras	R	H	E
Pittsburgh (21-14)	0	2	0	1	0	1	1	0	2	0 4	11	16	1
New York (11-23)	0	2	2	0	3	0	0	0	0	0 0	7	15	0
W: Jared Hughes (3-0) L: Scott Atchison (2-2) S: N/A

Pittsburgh Pirates
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
BATTING 2B: P. Alvarez 2 (6), G. Sanchez 2 (4) HR: G. Jones (10), G. Sanchez (6), C. Barmes (6), M. McKenry 2 (4) RBI: G. Jones 2 (19), G. Sanchez 3 (11), C. Barmes 2 (13), M. McKenry 3 (5), B. Inge (9) GIDP: A. McCutchen, C. Barmes
FIELDING E: C. Barmes (5)

Pittsburgh Pirates
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
J. Locke	3.2	7	4	4	0	2	4.82
J. Karstens	1.1	2	3	3	2	1	6.97
C. Leroux	1.0	2	0	0	0	1	4.61
D. Welker	2.0	2	0	0	0	3	0.00
J. Hughes (W, 3-0)	2.0	1	0	0	1	3	2.03
J. Grilli	1.0	1	0	0	0	2	0.71

New York Mets
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
BATTING 3B: I. Davis (1), C. Cowgill (1) HR: I. Davis (3), M. Byrd (5) RBI: I. Davis 2 (19), C. Cowgill 3 (6), M. Byrd 2 (19) GIDP: R. Tejada

New York Mets
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
J. Niese	6.0	9	5	5	0	0	6.11
F. Francisco (H, 4)	2.0	0	0	0	0	3	2.45
B. Parnell (BS, 2)	0.2	3	2	2	0	0	4.76
J. Edgin	1.1	0	0	0	0	2	3.72
S. Atchison (L, 2-2)	0.1	2	2	2	0	0	3.65
L. Hawkins	0.0	1	2	1	0	1	5.64
B. Lyon	0.2	1	0	0	0	0	2.70

Pirates Rally From Four Down to Beat Mets in 11th Inning

NEW YORK - The Pirates came into New York on a four game winning streak, after taking 2 of 3 from the Nationals and sweeping the Mariners. To put in perspective how much better this team is this year from last year, the Pirates were 13-16 heading into their May 9th game against the Nationals. Looking to keep their winning streak alive this year, the Pirates send lefty Jeff Locke to the mound to oppose Jonathon Niese.

After a scoreless 1st inning, Pedro Alvarez led off the 2nd with a double, then scoring on an RBI double from Gaby Sanchez to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead.

Brandon Inge then singled, scoring Gaby Sanchez to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead. Clint Barmes then grounded into a double play to end the top of the 2nd. But the Mets returned the favor in the bottom of the 2nd, as Ike Davis reached on a deflected single off of Pedro Alvarez, followed by a 2-run home run from Marlon Byrd to tie the game at 2.

Locke would get Niese to ground out to end inning. In the top of the 3rd, Jeff Locke looked to help his own case, starting the 3rd off with a single, followed by a single from Travis Snider. Andrew McCutchen then grounded into a double play to get Niese out of trouble. Daniel Murphy singled to lead off the bottom of the 3rd, but Ruben Tejada lined out and David Wright struck out to put Locke in position to get out of the inning. But it only took one mistake pitch to Ike Davis to jacked a 2-run home run to give the Mets a 4-2 lead.

The scoring continued in the 4th, as Alvarez doubled and then scored on a ground rule double from Gay Sanchez to cut the score to 4-3. But in the bottom of the 4th, with 2 outs,
Collin Cowgill reached on an error, followed by a single from Niese. Daniel Murphy then singled to load the bases. Clint Hurdle went to the bullpen, bringing in Jeff Karstens, who would get Ruben Tejada to ground out to end the inning.

Karstens got in just as much trouble in the 5th, as he allowed singles to Wright, Davis, and Travis D'Arnaud to load the bases. Collin Cowgill then came up big, hitting a bases clearing triple to give the Mets a 7-3 lead.

The Pirates cut into the lead in the 6th and 7th, with home runs from Gaby Sanchez and Michael McKenry to cut the score to 7-5. After a scoreless 8th inning, the Pirates flexed their muscles in a big way. Clint Barmes hit a 2-run home run with two outs to tie the game at 7 and send the game to extra innings.

Each bullpen locked in for the 10th inning, keeping it scoreless. But the biggest blow came from the Pirates in the top of the 11th, as Brandon Inge singled and then scored on a 2-run home run from Michael McKenry, his second of the game, to give the Pirates the 9-7 lead.

Garrett Jones would then pad the lead, with a 2-run home run, scoring Clint Barmes, to put the Pirates ahead 11-7. Even though it wasn't a save situation, Hurdle brought in Grilli to pitch the bottom of the 11th. Grilli allowed a 1 out triple to David Wright, but got Byrd and Duda to strike out to end the inning.

Player of the Game:

After a thrilling game one, the Pirates and Mets square off for game two of the four game set tomorrow evening. First pitch, 7:10PM.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

BREAKING NEWS: Miami Marlins Sign CP Jose Valverde

Posted on May 4, 2013 at 02:04 PM.

(0)

ESPNMiami.com | Updated: May 8, 2013 1:00 PM ET

MIAMI - The Marlins and CP Jose Valverde have reached an agreement on a new deal. Terms of the deal have yet to be announced. Stay tuned to ESPN.com for more details.

Regular Season Game #34: Seattle Mariners @ Pittsburgh Pirates

Posted on May 4, 2013 at 10:37 AM.

(0)

May 8, 2013
12:35PM

PNC Park - Pittsburgh, PA
Weather: 63�, Party Cloudy
Attendance: 22,620

Seattle Mariners at Pittsburgh Pirates
May 8, 2013	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Seattle (17-18)	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	2	7	0
Pittsburgh (20-14)	0	1	0	1	1	0	2	0	X	5	10	0
W: Jonathan Sanchez (2-3) L: Joe Saunders (0-3) S: Jason Grilli (11)

Seattle Mariners
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
BATTING 2B: J. Montero (3) RBI: M. Morse (9), J. Montero (21)

Seattle Mariners
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
J. Saunders (L, 0-3)	5.0	5	3	3	0	0	4.25
C. Furbush	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	2.13
K. Loe	0.0	2	2	2	0	0	5.94
L. Luetge	1.0	2	0	0	0	2	0.00
O. Perez	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	2.20

Pittsburgh Pirates
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
BATTING 2B: A. McCutchen (10), R. Martin 2 (4) HR: P. Alvarez (8), T. Snider (6), C. Barmes (5) RBI: S. Marte (4), P. Alvarez (20), R. Martin (16), T. Snider (13), C. Barmes (11)

Pittsburgh Pirates
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
J. Sanchez (W, 2-3)	6.0	5	2	2	3	5	4.17
D. Welker (H, 1)	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
M. Melancon (H, 4)	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	2.13
J. Grilli (S, 11)	1.0	1	0	0	1	2	0.77

Pirates Drop M's 5-2 to Take Two Game Sweep

PITTSBURGH - After struggling in interleague play for many years, the Pirates started this years interleague play with a win over the Seattle Mariners. Being just a short two game series, the Pirates locked up at least a share of the series with a victory in game one. Looking to avoid the sweep, the Mariners sent a struggling Joe Saunders to the mound to oppose Jonathan Sanchez in game two.

After a scoreless 1st inning, Jonathan Sanchez got two quick outs in the top of the 2nd, but would look his usual self, walking former Bucco Jason Bay with 2 outs. But Robert Andino would ground out to end the inning, making nothing of the free pass. In the bottom of the 2nd, Pedro Alvarez took the first pitch he saw out of the park for a solo home run, giving the Pirates a 1-0 lead.

With two outs and two on in the bottom of the second, Jason Bay robbed Russell Martin on a diving catch to end the inning.

With a lot of pressure on his starting job, Jonathan Sanchez cruised through the top of the 3rd, as Sanchez got Kyle Seager and Joe Saunders to strikeout to end the M's half of the inning. In the 4th, Franklin Guttierez singled, but was then thrown out at 2nd by Travis Snider to end top of the 4th. The Pirates struck again in the bottom of the 4th, as Travis Snider hit a solo home run, extending his hitting streak to 10 games, giving the Bucs a 2-0 lead.

McCutchen followed Snider with a double, but would be stranded at second as Garrett Jones, Pedro Alvarez, and Neil Walker each flew out to end the inning. The Pirates would add one more in the 5th, off a solo home run from Clint Barmes to take a 3-0 lead. In the top of 6th, Sanchez ran into trouble, as Endy Chavez led off with a single, followed by Dustin Ackley reaching on a deflection off Garrett Jones. Michael Morse then singled, scoring Chavez to cut the lead to 3-1. With two on and one out, Jesus Montero doubled, scoring Ackley and putting Morse at third; 3-2 Bucs. Sanchez would then walk Jason Bay, but would get Andino to ground out to end the threat and the inning.

The Pirates looked to pad their lead again, as Neil Walker led off the bottom of the 7th with a single, scoring on a double from Russell Martin to put the score at 4-2. After a Jerry Sands pinch hit single to put runners and first and thrid, Starling Marte then hit a long fly ball to left field that appeared to be a home run.

After review, it was ruled a foul ball. The call would only fuel Marte, as he would single, scoring Russell Martin to give the pirates a 3-run, 5-2 lead. After a scoreless 8th, Jason Grilli came in for a save situation and ran into trouble right away. Jason Bay led off with a single, followed by a walk to Robert Andino to put two on with no out. But Grilli dug down deep, striking out Seager and pinch hitter Michael Saunders, followed by a ground out by Dustin Ackley to end the game and give the Pirates their 4th straight victory.

Player of the Game:

The Pirates take a 4-1 home stand on the road to New York, as they go up against the Mets for a four game series. First pitch, 7:10PM.

Friday, May 3, 2013

Regular Season Game #33: Seattle Mariners @ Pittsburgh Pirates

Posted on May 3, 2013 at 09:31 PM.

(2)

May 7, 2013
7:05PM

PNC Park - Pittsburgh, PA
Weather: 49�, Clear
Attendance: 24,378

Seattle Mariners at Pittsburgh Pirates
May 7, 2013	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Seattle (17-17)	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	6	0
Pittsburgh (19-14)	0	1	0	0	1	1	1	0	X	4	10	1
W: James McDonald (4-1) L: Blake Beavan (2-4) S: Jason Grilli (10)

Seattle Mariners
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
BATTING 3B: J. Montero (1) RBI: B. Ryan (5)

Seattle Mariners
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
B. Beavan (L, 2-4)	5.1	7	3	3	0	2	6.13
J. Kinney	0.2	0	0	0	0	0	7.82
C. Furbush	0.2	3	1	1	0	0	2.22
O. Perez	1.1	0	0	0	0	1	2.35

Pittsburgh Pirates
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
BATTING 2B: G. Jones (6) HR: P. Alvarez (7) RBI: J. McDonald (2), P. Alvarez 2 (19), T. Snider (12) SAC: J. McDonald
BASERUNNING CS: A. McCutchen (3)
FIELDING E: J. McDonald (2)

Pittsburgh Pirates
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
J. McDonald (W, 4-1)	8.0	6	1	1	0	9	1.14
J. Grilli (S, 10)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0.84

McDonald Stifles Mariners as Pirates Open Interleague Play with 4-1 Win

PITTSBURGH, Pa - Although it may seem early, the Pirates open a brief two game interleague series against the Seattle Mariners at PNC Park. The Mariners come in at a surprising 17-16 mark, as the Pirates come in at 18-14, following a series victory against the Washington Nationals.

The Mariners started the top of the 1st in a free swinging mode, as Dustin Ackley and Michael Morse singled, putting two on with no outs. But James McDonald would pull together, getting Kendrys Morales and Raul Ibanez struck out to end the top of the 1st. As the Pirates were kept at bay in the bottom of the 1st, the teams took a 0-0 tie into the second.

But the tie didn't last long, as Jesus Montero led off the inning with a triple, followed by Brendan Ryan reaching on a fielders choice, as Montero was called safe at home to give the Mariners a 1-0 lead.

The lead wouldn't last long, though, as Pedro Alvarez hit a solo home run in the bottom of the 2nd to tie the game at 1.

After a scoreless 3rd inning, Travis Snider led off the bottom of the 4th with a single. But the 3-4-5 of McCutchen, Jones, and Alvarez couldn't even get Snider into scoring position as they each flew out to end the inning. James McDonald had locked in, get through the top of the 5th 1-2-3. The 1-1 tie wouldn't last long, as Russell Martin led off the bottom of the 5th with a single, followed by a single from Neil Walker. Clint Barmes then grounded out to advance the runners to 2nd and 3rd with 1 out. James McDonald then helped out his own cause, grounding out, which in turn scored Russell Martin to give the Pirates a 2-1 lead.

Travis Snider led off in the bottom of the 6th and again singled, followed by a double from Garrett Jones to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with no one out. Pedro Alvarez then grounded out, scoring Travis Snider to give the Pirates a 2 run lead.

James McDonald was getting near the end of his out, with a pitch count nearing towards 100. But McDonald pulled from within, striking out the side in the top of the 7th to keep the game at 3-1 in the Pirates favor.

With the lead, Neil Walker led off the bottom of the 7th with a single, followed by a single from Clint Barmes. Starling Marte reached on a fielders choice, as Neil Walker was called out at home. But with two outs, Travis Snider knocked in Clint Barmes to give the Pirates an extra insurance run and a 4-1 lead.

With a 3 run lead heading into the 9th, Clint Hurdle made the call for closer Jason Grilli, who is a perfect 9 for 9 in save opportunities. Grilli came in throwing fireballs, never getting behind in a count, getting 2 ground outs and a strikeout to end the inning and collect his 10th save of the season.

Player of the Game:

The Pirates and Mariners wrap up this brief two game set tomorrow afternoon, as a struggling Jonathan Sanchez opposes Joe Saunders in a battle of lefties. First pitch, 12:35PM.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Cole, Taillon Update

Posted on May 2, 2013 at 06:50 PM.

(0)

by Tom Singer / MLB.com / May 6, 2013

PITTSBURGH, Pa - The Pirates off day left fans scrambling for something to hold them over until Tuesday's interleague matchup against the Seattle Mariners. Luckily, they didn't have to look far as the #1 & #2 prospects, Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon, were both in action.

Gerrit Cole took the mound against the Scranton Railriders in Scranton. Cole ended with a line of 8 innings pitched, allowing 2 runs, on 4 hits, while striking out 7. Cole's ERA is now sitting at 2.54, as he picked up his 5th win of the season.

Jameson Taillon took the mound against Harrisburg Senators in Harrisburg. Taillon ended with a line of 6 2/3 innings pitched, allowing 3 runs, on 8 hits, while striking out 9. Taillon's ERA is now sitting at 3.17, as he also picked up his 5th win of the season.

Is it getting closer to Gerrit Cole time in Pittsburgh?

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Regular Season Game #32: Washington Nationals @ Pittsburgh Pirates

Posted on May 1, 2013 at 11:23 PM.

(0)

May 5, 2013
1:35PM

PNC Park - Pittsburgh, PA
Weather: 69�, Cloudy
Attendance: 20,526

Washington Nationals at Pittsburgh Pirates
May 5, 2013	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Extras	R	H	E
Washington (18-14)	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0 0 0 0	2	8	1
Pittsburgh (18-14)	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0 0 0 1	3	13	0
W: Mark Melancon (2-1) L: Tyler Clippard (0-3) S: N/A

Washington Nationals
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
BATTING 3B: J. Werth (1) HR: A. LaRoche (5) RBI: A. LaRoche (23), W. Ramos (9)
BASERUNNING SB: J. Werth (2)
FIELDING E: S. Lombardozzi (2)

Washington Nationals
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
G. Gonzalez	6.0	8	2	2	0	3	5.45
H. Rodriguez	3.0	0	0	0	0	2	5.28
C. Stammen	3.0	3	0	0	0	3	7.07
T. Clippard (L, 0-3)	0.2	2	1	1	1	1	4.60

Pittsburgh Pirates
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
BATTING 2B: A. McCutchen (9), G. Jones (5) RBI: G. Jones (17), G. Sanchez (8), R. Martin (15) SF: R. Martin (5) SAC: W. Rodriguez 2 GIDP: S. Marte
BASERUNNING SB: A. McCutchen 2 (6)

Pittsburgh Pirates
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
W. Rodriguez	8.0	7	2	2	0	10	2.70
J. Hughes	2.0	1	0	0	0	2	2.38
C. Leroux	2.0	0	0	0	0	4	4.97
M. Melancon (W, 2-1)	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	2.31

They Did it Again: Pirates Drop Nats in 13th, 3-2

PITTSBURGH, Pa - Game two of the series between the Nationals and Pirates, didn't turn out to be the starting pitching matchup everyone had expected, as both Strasburg and Burnett struggled to keep the ball in the park. The Pirates went on to prevail in the 11th inning, tying the series at 1. A battle of dominant lefties will set the tone for today's game, as Gio Gonzalez opposes Wandy Rodriguez.

Off-season acquisition Denard Span led off the game with a single, but the Nationals couldn't muster any other offense, as Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche each struck out to end the top of the 1st inning. Gio Gonzalez started the game just as strong, matching Wandy's two strikeouts, as Gonzalez got Starling Marte and Andrew McCutchen to strike out swinging.

After a scoreless 2nd inning, Wandy Rodriguez continued to roll, striking out 2 more batters, getting his strikeout count up to 6. In the bottom of the 3rd, the Pirates showed signs of life, as Clint Barmes led the inning off with a single, the first hit of the game for the Pirates. After a sac bunt from Wandy Rodriguez got Barmes to 2nd, Starling Marte singled to deep center field, allowing Barmes to round 3rd and head home. But the umpire thought otherwise, calling Barmes out at home plate to end the inning.

As the Pirates flirted with scoring runs in the bottom of the 3rd, the Nationals actually scored runs in the top of the 4th, starting with a solo home run from Adam LaRoche to give the Nationals a 1-0 lead.

After the home run, Jason Werth tripled and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Wilson Ramos, giving the Nationals a 2-0 lead. But the Pirates would strike back in the bottom of the 4th, starting with Andrew McCutchen singling and then stealing second base, allowing him to score on an RBI double from Garrett Jones to cut the score to 2-1 in the Nationals favor. Gonzalez would get Russell Martin to fly out to end the inning.

The Pirates looked to pile on more in the bottom of the 5th, as the duo of Barmes and Rodriguez struck again. A single by Barmes and a sac bunt from Rodriguez got Barmes back into scoring position, only to be stranded as Starling Marte grounded out to end the inning. As Wandy got through the 6th untouched, Andrew McCutchen led off the bottom of the 6th with a single and his 2nd stolen base of the game, followed by an infield single from Garrett Jones. Russell Martin would then hit into a sac fly, scoring McCutchen to tie the game at 2. With his pitch count getting high, Wandy Rodriguez decided not to slow down after allowing a 2 out single to Ryan Zimmerman, getting Adam LaRoche to strike out swinging to end the inning.

Jared Hughes would come into the game for Wandy Rodriguez, striking out pinch hitter Bryce Harper to end the inning. In the bottom of the 9th, fans thought the game would be in walk-off fashion again, as Russell Martin crushed a ball to left field, which fell foul. Chris Leroux would strike out the side in the top of the 10th. The amount of drama quickly arose in the bottom of the 12th, as Gaby Sanchez hit a fly ball off the wall, followed by singles from Clint Barmes and Travis Snider to load the bases with 2 outs. But Starling Marte would run into an inning ending double play. After a scoreless 12th, the Pirates had enough, starting with a double from Andrew McCutchen, as well as a walk issued to Russell Martin with 2 outs. The next batter, Gaby Sanchez, would come up huge, as he singled to right field, scoring Andrew McCutchen to give the Pirates the victory.

Player of the Game:

After two straight extra innings games, the Pirates have a much needed day off tomorrow, followed by the opening of Interleague play, beginning with the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. First pitch, 7:05PM.

Liriano Blanks AAA-Lehigh Valley in 11-0 Victory

Posted on May 1, 2013 at 11:06 PM.

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by Tom Singer / MLB.com / May 5, 2013

After dominating AA, Francisco Liriano made his first rehab appearance in AAA, taking the mound against the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs. Liriano showed that he's ready to be called up to the majors, pitching a complete game shutout, allowing only 6 hits while striking out 14 batters. To help his cause further, Liriano went 3-5, including 1 HR and 3 RBI's.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Regular Season Game #31: Washington Nationals @ Pittsburgh Pirates

Posted on April 30, 2013 at 10:51 PM.

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May 4, 2013
7:05PM

PNC Park - Pittsburgh, PA
Temperature: 49�

Washington Nationals at Pittsburgh Pirates
May 4, 2013	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Extras	R	H	E
Washington (18-13)	0	2	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	1	5	8	0
Pittsburgh (17-14)	0	1	0	0	1	1	0	0	1	2	6	13	0
W: Jeff Karstens (1-1) L: Drew Storen (1-1) S: N/A

Washington Nationals
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
BATTING HR: J. Werth (4), R. Bernadina (5) RBI: J. Werth 2 (19), R. Bernadina 2 (14), K. Suziki (8) GIDP: B. Harper

Washington Nationals
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
S. Strasburg	6.2	8	3	3	0	8	2.93
T. Clippard (H, 3)	1.0	2	0	0	0	3	4.20
W. Ohman (H, 4)	0.1	0	0	0	0	1	1.98
R. Soriano (BS, 2)	1.0	1	1	1	0	2	7.00
D. Storen (L, 1-1)	0.2	2	2	2	0	1	7.94

Pittsburgh Pirates
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
BATTING 2B: R. Martin (2) HR: A. McCutchen (8), G. Jones (9), P. Alvarez (6), R. Martin (5), T. Snider (5) RBI: S. Marte (3), A. McCutchen (15), G. Jones (16), P. Alvarez (17), R. Martin (14), T. Snider 11
BASERUNNING CS: S. Marte (4)

Pittsburgh Pirates
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
A. Burnett	7.0	5	4	4	1	11	4.75
T. Watson	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0.96
D. Welker	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
J. Karstens (W, 1-1)	1.0	3	1	1	0	1	5.00

Pirates Win Slugfest in Extras, Drop Nats 6-5

PITTSBURGH, Pa - The Nationals welcomed the Pirates back to PNC Park on Friday night, getting the 4-3 victory after roughing up Jeff Locke. Looking to get back to their early season winning ways, the Pirates sent A.J. Burnett to the mound, looking to collect his second straight victory. The Nationals would counter with ace phenom, Stephen Strasburg.

A.J. Burnett started the game off the way any pitcher would, getting Roger Bernadina to strike out to lead off the 1st. After Burnett retired the side, the Pirates got to work, as Starling Marte lead off the bottom of the 1st with a single. But Marte would be caught stealing, followed by fly outs from Travis Snider and Andrew McCutchen to end the inning.

Burnett continued to deal into the 2nd, striking out Bryce Harper and Adam LaRoche back to back. Ian Desmond kept the inning alive with a single, allowing Jason Werth to jack a 2-run home run to put the Nationals up 2-0.

Burnett would get Wilson Ramos to strike out to end the inning. But the Pirates would strike right back in the Bottom of the second, as Garrett Jones hit a solo home run off of Strasburg to cut the lead to 2-1. Strasburg kept the damage to a minimum, retiring the side. After a leadoff walk to Ryan Zimmerman, Burnett got Bryce Harper to ground into a double play to end the top of the 4th. Stephen Strasburg would go on to strike out the side in the bottom of the 4th to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 5th, the Pirates got to Strasburg again, as Russell Martin doubled, followed by a single from Clint Barmes, who would score on a 2 out RBI single from Starling Marte to tie the game at 2. WIth two men still on base, Travis Snider flew out at the track to end the inning.

Strasburg was looking to help his own cause, leading off the top of the 6th with a single, giving Roger Bernadina the opening to blast a 2-run home run to give the Nationals a 4-2 lead.

The Pirates would cut the lead to 1 in the bottom of the 6th, as Andrew McCutchen hit a solo home run to put the score at 4-3 in favor of the Nationals. A.J. Burnett, getting his pitch count into the upper 80's, looked better than he did at the beginning of the game, keeping the Pirates within striking distance as he struck out his 6th straight batter, also his 11th of the game.

With a 1 run lead in the bottom of the 9th, the Nationals turned to Rafael Soriano for his second straight save opportunity. But Russell Martin had other things in mind, tying the game at 4 with a solo home run that hit off the foul pole, giving the Pirates the opportunity to walk off in the 9th.

Jeff Karstens took over in the top of the 10th, getting himself into early trouble, allowing singles to Ian Desmond and Jason Werth, with Desmond making it to 3rd on the single by Werth. Karstens would allow another single to Kurt Suziki, scoring Desmond and giving the Nationals a 5-4 lead. But the fans at PNC Park would get behind the Pirates and the electricity could be seen and heard throughout the stadium. With a shaky Drew Storen pitching, Travis Snider took the first pitch he saw in the inning and smacked a home run to tie the game at 5. Then, with 1 out in the bottom of the 10th, Pedro Alvarez hit his 6th home run of the year, this time as a solo walk-off home run that cleared the outfield seats out into the Allegheny River. Alvarez's home run walked the Pirates off into victory, tying the series at 1-1.

Player of the Game:

The series finishes tomorrow afternoon, as Wandy Rodriguez opposes Gio Gonzalez. First pitch, 1:35PM.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Regular Season Game #30: Washington Nationals @ Pittsburgh Pirates

Posted on April 29, 2013 at 10:23 PM.

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May 3, 2013
7:05PM

PNC Park, Pittsburgh
Temperature: 49�

Washington Nationals at Pittsburgh Pirates
May 3, 2013	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Washington (18-12)	0	2	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	4	5	1
Pittsburgh (16-14)	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	1	3	8	0
W: Ross Detwiler (2-1) L: Jeff Locke (0-3) S: Rafael Soriano (7)

Washington Nationals
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
BATTING HR: D. Espinosa (3) RBI: D. Espinosa 3 (14), W. Ramos (8) SF: D. Espinosa, W. Ramos
FIELDING E: J. Werth (2)

Washington Nationals
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
R. Detwiler (W, 2-1)	7.1	7	2	2	0	6	6.00
D. Storen (H, 2)	0.2	0	0	0	0	1	6.75
R. Soriano (S, 7)	1.0	1	1	1	0	0	6.75

Pittsburgh Pirates
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
BATTING 2B: S. Marte (11), N. Walker (7), T. Snider (4) HR: P. Alvarez (5) RBI: G. Jones (15), P. Alvarez (16), T. Snider (10)

Pittsburgh Pirates
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
J. Locke (0-3)	6.2	4	4	4	2	6	4.28
D. Welker	0.1	0	0	0	0	1	0.00
M. Melancon	1.0	0	0	0	0	3	2.53
T. Watson	1.0	1	0	0	0	1	1.08

Nationals Jump on Pirates Early, Rally Falls Short 4-3

PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Pirates got to sulk on their day off from their 10-3 drubbing in Milwaukee. Hoping to put the loss in the rearview mirror, things aren't about to get easier, as the 17-12 Washington Nationals head into PNC Park for a three game weekend series. The pitching matchup in game one looked like it could be a wild one, as the Nationals sent Ross Detwiler to the mound to oppose Jeff Locke.

After a scoreless 1st inning, Jeff Locke ran into trouble in the top of the 2nd. Locke started off by walking Bryce Harper, followed by singles from Ian Desmond and Adam LaRoche. Wilson Ramos hit a sac fly, scoring Harper to give the Nats a 1-0 lead. Danny Espinosa then hit a sac fly to score Desmond, giving the Nationals a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the 3rd, Neil Walker hit a double to lead off the inning, but Barmes and Locke grounded out. With 2 outs, Starling Marte singled to put runners on 2nd and 3rd, but Travis Snider grounded out to end the inning. After a scoreless 4th and 5th innings, the Pirates started making some noise. Starling Marte led off with a double, followed by a double from Travis Snider which scored Marte to cut the lead to one. Garrett Jones then singled, scoring Travis Snider to tie the game at 2. Pedro Alvarez grounded out to end the inning. With 2 outs in the top of the 7th, Wilson Ramos singled. Danny Espinosa then hit a 2-run homer to give the Nationals a 4-2 lead.

The Pirates bullpen held them in the game, as Mark Melancon struck out the side in the top of the 8th. The Pirates started off the bottom of the 8th with a double from Travis Snider, followed by Andrew McCutchen's third strikeout of the game and a Garrett Jones ground out to end the inning. A scoreless top of the 9th, led to Rafael Soriano in to close in the bottom of the 9th. With 1 out, Pedro Alvarez bombed a home run out to right field and into the Allegheny River to cut the score to 4-3.

With two outs, Brandon Inge came in as a pinch hitter, but grounded out to end the inning and the game.

Player of the Game:

The Pirates and Nationals square off in game two of the three game series, with an on paper pitchers dual. First pitch, 7:05PM

5/2/2013: Akron Aeros @ Altoona Curve

Posted on April 29, 2013 at 06:01 PM.

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by Tom Singer | MLB.com | 5/2/2013

ALTOONA - The Akron Aeros visited the Altoona Curve for an Eastern League matchup.

Jose Contreras made his first start for the Altoona Curve pitching 6 innings, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits while striking out 7.

Brian Wilson has started to calm down after his first outing, collecting his second hold for the Curve. Wilson pitched an inning, allowing 1 hit, walking 1, and striking out 3.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Regular Season Game #29: Pittsburgh Pirates @ Milwaukee Brewers

Posted on April 28, 2013 at 09:34 PM.

(0)

5/1/2013
1:10PM - Miller Park, Milwaukee

Temperature: 59�

Pittsburgh Pirates at Milwaukee Brewers
May 1, 2013	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Pittsburgh (16-13)	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	9	2
Milwaukee (9-18)	0	0	0	0	2	3	5	0	X	10	12	1
W: Chris Narveson (1-0) L: Jonathan Sanchez (1-3) S: N/A

Pittsburgh Pirates
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
BATTING 2B: S. Marte (10), G. Sanchez (2), T. Snider (3) HR: A. McCutchen (7) RBI: A. McCutchen (14), G. Jones (14), T. Snider (9) HBP: J. Harrison SAC: J. Sanchez
FIELDING E: J. Harrison 2 (4)

Pittsburgh Pirates
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
J. Sanchez (L, 1-3)	6.0	7	5	2	0	7	4.37
C. Leroux	0.1	4	4	4	0	1	5.91
J. Hughes	0.2	1	1	1	0	1	2.89
T. Watson	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	1.23

Milwaukee Brewers
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
BATTING 2B: A. Gonzalez (2), M. Maldonado 2 (4) HR: R. Braun (4), A. Ramirez (5) RBI: R. Braun 3 (17), A. Ramirez 3 (16), J. Lucroy (11), A. Gonzalez 2 (8), M. Maldonado (5) SF: J. Lucroy, A. Gonzalez
BASERUNNING SB: R. Weeks 2 (4)
FIELDING E: A. Gonzalez (3)

Milwaukee Brewers
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
K. Lohse	5.0	5	3	3	0	2	4.64
C. Narveson (W, 1-0)	2.0	1	0	0	0	2	4.82
M. Gonzalez	2.0	3	0	0	0	0	2.60

Brewers Power Past Pirates for Win, Series

MILWAUKEE - The Pirates lost a tough one in extra innings in game two of the series. The offense couldn't get anything going against Gallardo and looked like the early season offense that couldn't muster any runs. Hoping to put recent Milwaukee struggles behind them, the Pirates square off against Kyle Lohse in the rubber match of the series.

Starling Marte led of the top of the 1st with a double, scoring on an RBI double from Travis Snider to give the Pirates an early 1-0 lead. After a single from Andrew McCutchen, Garrett Jones reached on a fielders choice, scoring Travis Snider to give the Bucco's a 2-0 lead. Neil Walker then singled, but Garrett Jones was called out at home trying to score to end the inning. After a scoreless 2nd inning, the Pirates extended the lead to 3-0 on a solo home run blast from Andrew McCutchen that hit off the middle of the jumbotron. The Brewers led off the bottom of the 3rd with a double by Alex Gonzalez, but he was left stranded as Khris Davis struck out, followed by a pop out from Kyle Lohse and a ground out from Carlos Gonzalez to end inning. After the Pirates were held scoreless in the top of the 4th, the Brewers struck in the bottom of the 4th, as Aramis Ramirez singled, followed by a double from Martin Maldondo. Alex Gonzalez hit a sac fly, scoring Ramirez to put the score at 3-1. After a sac fly from Jonathan Lucroy, the Brewers cut the score to 3-2. A scoreless 5th inning led to an offensive outbreak in the bottom of the 6th, as Rickie Weeks singled and then stole 2nd and 3rd base to get into scoring position. Aramis Ramirez reached on a throwing error by Josh Harrison, scoring Rickie Weeks to tie the game at 3. Martin Maldondo then doubled, scoring Ramirez to put the score at 4-3 in the Brewers favor. Alex Gonzalez hit a ground single, scoring Maldondo to give the Brewers a 5-3 lead. In the bottom of the 7th, with Chris Leroux pitching for Sanchez, Jean Segura singled, followed by a single from Carlos Gomez to put two on with 1 out. Ryan Braun, already striking out 3 times, turned his luck around with a 3-run blast to put the Brewers up 8-3. Corey Hart then singled, which was followed by a 2-run home run from Aramis Ramirez to give the Brewers a 10-3 lead. But the Pirates weren't going to go away quietly, as McCutchen led off the 8th with a single, followed by a single from Garrett Jones and Pedro Alvarez reaching on a fielders choice. With 2 outs, Neil Walker stepped up to the plate and worked the count to 3-2. Walker got a fastball right down the middle and smoked the ball to dead center field with a hit looking like it would put runs on the board, only to be caught by Ryan Braun on a robbing dive to end the inning.

In the top of the 9th, Jerry Sands got his first hit as a Pirate, a single. But the Pirates couldn't muster anything from it, as Starling Marte grounded out to end the inning and seal the win for the Brewers.

Player of the Game:

With a day off tomorrow, the Pirates open a three game set against the Nationals on Friday at PNC Park. First pitch, 7:05PM.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Schedule: May 2013

Posted on April 27, 2013 at 03:49 PM.

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Pittsburgh Pirates May 2013 Schedule
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
May 1	at Milwaukee Brewers
May 3	vs Washington Nationals
May 4	vs Washington Nationals
May 5	vs Washington Nationals
May 7	vs Seattle Mariners
May 8	vs Seattle Mariners
May 9	at New York Mets
May 10	at New York Mets
May 11	at New York Mets
May 12	at New York Mets
May 13	vs Milwaukee Brewers
May 14	vs Milwaukee Brewers
May 15	vs Milwaukee Brewers
May 16	vs Milwaukee Brewers
May 17	vs Houston Astros
May 18	vs Houston Astros
May 19	vs Houston Astros
May 21	vs Chicago Cubs
May 22	vs Chicago Cubs
May 23	vs Chicago Cubs
May 24	at Milwaukee Brewers
May 25	at Milwaukee Brewers
May 26	at Milwaukee Brewers
May 27	at Detroit Tigers
May 28	at Detroit Tigers
May 29	vs Detroit Tigers
May 30	vs Detroit Tigers
May 31	vs Cincinnati Reds

Did You Know?: April 2013

Posted on April 27, 2013 at 10:25 AM.

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April 2013

A.J. Burnett collected is 2,000 career strikeout

The Pirates #1 Prospect, Gerrit Cole, went 4-1, collecting 42 strikeouts in 38 innings, with an ERA of 2.61

The Pirates went 4-0 in games played on Sunday

The Pirates went 3-0 in games played on Thursday

The Pirates went 0-4 in games played on Tuesday