Very rarely can you look at a series or two towards the end of May and label it critical to a team's success for the season. But that is exactly the case for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Bucs began a critical 10-game road trip in New York on Memorial Day that very well could determine whether or not Clint Hurdle's team will be contenders in 2014. Even though the Pirates have been a bit disappointing so far this season, they really can't complain about their situation as they entered ... Read More
Archives for May 2014
Sanchez Sparks Comeback in Big Apple
On Memorial Day in Flushing, NY, the Pittsburgh Pirates (23-27) scored five in the final two innings to earn a comeback victory against the New York Mets (22-28). After squandering a number of opportunities in the early innings against rookie Jacob deGrom, Gaby Sanchez hit a pinch-hit solo home run off of Scott Rice to lead off the eighth inning, cutting a 2-0 Mets lead in half. Later in the inning, against flame-throwing reliever Jose Valverde, Jose Tabata drove in Starling Marte to tie the ... Read More
WPIAL Earns 19 Gold Medals at PIAA Championships
After a season filled with abysmal weather conditions that included rain and more rain, this weekend's PIAA Track and Field Championships had abundant sunshine and the WPIAL made sure to take advantage of it. Hempfield girls were able to win their second consecutive team title and were led by Junior standout Maddie Holmberg. Holmberg won three gold medals over the weekend including wins in the Long Jump, Intermediate Hurdles and 4x100 relay. Holmberg's 20 foot, one inch long jump narrowly ... Read More
Early deficit douses Wild Things’ flames
With a second consecutive series sweep in mind, the Washington Wild Things were on a mission. Unfortunately after winning five straight games, though, the Wild Things flames were extinguished with an 8-5 loss to Rockford Sunday at CONSOLE Energy Park. Washington (5-4) fell behind early in the second inning when the Aviators scored two runs on four hits. The Wild Things would fall even further behind when Kyle Dhanani drove in his second run of the game and later came around to score in the ... Read More
Liriano Continues Struggles, Bucs Fall 5-2
Francisco Liriano dug the Pirates an early hole that they couldn't get out of as the Nationals (25-25) avoided the four-game sweep with a 5-2 victory over the Pirates (22-27) on Sunday afternoon. Liriano's struggles began right away as he allowed a lead off double to Denard Span and a walk to Anthony Rendon. Liriano retired the next two batters, but allowed Span to score on a wild pitch and Rendon on a RBI single by Ian Desmond. Liriano settled down through innings 2-4 before getting into ... Read More
Pirate of the Week: Josh Harrison
The Pittsburgh Pirates have won four straight games in front of their home crowd. A big reason for that is outfielder Josh Harrison. This past week, Harrison helped the Pirates to a 4-1 record, including a 3-2 win over the Washington Nationals Saturday when he drove in the go-ahead run. With his team tied 2-2 with the Nats in the seventh inning, Harrison singled in Starling Marte to put Pittsburgh ahead. It was Harrison's lone hit of the game, but he made it count when the team needed him the ... Read More
May 24 edition of PSN video cast
We are LIVE! Join the guys as they talk Polanco, the Pirates' streak, Wandy getting DFA'd, Josh Harrison, the Pens and more! ... Read More
Pittsburgh Power Survive In Orlando Jungle, Beat Predators 62-61
The hunter became the hunted in Orlando Saturday night as the Pittsburgh Power (7-3) bagged their prey and won 62-61 over the Orlando Predators (6-4). Power quarterback Tommy Grady found Hank Edwards for a touchdown with one second left to put the final stamp on a great game for Pittsburgh. In a game where both offenses put up some big numbers, this one was ultimately decided by the kickers. Julian Rauch had one of his extra points blocked but it was two misses by his counterpart Mark Lewis ... Read More
Cole, Pirates Outduel Strasburg 3-2
The Cole/Strasburg matchup lived up to it's hype on Saturday night in front of a sold out crowd at PNC Park and a semi-national Baseball Night in America FOX audience as the Pirates came back to beat the Nationals 3-2. Strasburg seemed to have the game in hand with the Nationals (24-25) leading 2-1 heading into the seventh, but the Pirates (22-26) took a chapter from the 2013 squad and bounced back. Russell Martin started the inning off with a single. He was moved to third with one out on a ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 5/24: Marquee Pitching Matchup on National TV
Good afternoon from PNC Park where tonight, in front of a FOX Baseball Night in America audience, the Pirates (21-26) look to extend their three-game win streak against the Nationals (24-24). Gerrit Cole (4-3, 3.84 ERA) will face Stephen Strasburg (3-3, 3.38 ERA) in a battle of #1 overall picks. Hurdle's Quotes On the matchup of Cole v. Strasburg tonight: "It's one of those marquee matchups. I'm excited for the game and I hope it all plays out because the guy over there [Strasburg], I've got ... Read More