The Pittsburgh Pirates are 76 games into the 2016 season, and they aren't exactly in an ideal position. The Pirates, who are 37-39 this year, sit 12 games behind the Chicago Cubs for first place and three games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for second place in the NL Central. The team has endured an abundance of issues; however, it's not time to completely write off the Pirates just yet. Young rotation help arriving When it comes to the starting rotation, it's no secret they've struggled this ... Read More
Archives for June 2016
Huntington: Glasnow, Bell will remain in Triple-A for time being
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington met with reporters Sunday. Here's what he had to say. On prized prospect Josh Bell: “Defensively, he continues to be a work in progress and is getting better, but there is still work to do. With Josh, we are talking about an outfielder moving into the infield, and that takes more time. It's more game situation and awareness and where he needs to be and what he needs to do. Offensively, the power is beginning to show. He'll learn how to work ... Read More
Between Rutherford and Sullivan, more Cups to come
Let's continue to get wrapped up in the moment, even if it's been a few weeks since the Pittsburgh Penguins brought Lord Stanley back to the City of Champions. It's time to get excited for the future, because, with both general manager Jim Rutherford and head coach Mike Sullivan, Pittsburgh has the perfect balance of leadership to continue to propel Pittsburgh deep in the playoffs. At the conclusion of Saturday's 2016 NHL Draft, one thing was clear: Rutherford wants to build more than just a ... Read More
Pirates’ key to success? Having fun
Forgive the Pirates for having a rather somber clubhouse more often than not this month. That's why the last three days have been special for the Pirates. Not only have they been getting wins, but they've been doing so in spectacular fashion. “Our starters gave us quality starts, and our offense came through with big hits and scoring runs,” said catcher Chris Stewart. “That’s our typical type of baseball we like to play. The goal is to keep that momentum going and play (like that) the rest of ... Read More
In MLB debut, Chad Kuhl bests Clayton Kershaw, 4-3
In the fifth inning, a pitch skipped off Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Chris Stewart's glove, and he immediately went into panic mode. “‘Oh no,’ that was my first thought,” Stewart said. If Stewart couldn't react quickly, Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner would score. Immediately, Stewart scrambled to the wall, correctly read the bounce and dove. As this was going on, Pirates starting pitcher Chad Kuhl made a beeline for home plate, and Stewart threw a ball right at his ... Read More
Kuhl, Pirates prepared for big test against Dodgers
Tonight, against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Pittsburgh Pirates are attempting to win a series after dropping four straight. Pitcher Chad Kuhl will make his Major League debut, and on the other side of the mound will be none other than one of the best pitchers in the game, Clayton Kershaw (11-1, 1.57 ERA). Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said he thinks Kuhl will do well tonight on the biggest stage of the 23-year-old's career. “(Kuhl's) electric early, and we’re trying to fine-tune ... Read More
Patience is key for Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are just 7-20 since May 27. But losses are one thing; how a team reacts to those losses tells the story. “When you’re not getting the results you want, I think maybe it leads to trying harder than you need to,” Pirates pitcher Kyle Lobstein offered. ”I guess when you’re talking about patience when things aren’t going well, it’s more of a mindset of finding yourself. When things are going well, it’s easy to be patient and things fall into place, so you don’t really have ... Read More
Locke, McCutchen lead charge in Pirates win
Following the Pittsburgh Pirates' 6-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, Jeff Locke had one more batter to face: 3-year-old Maverick Mercer, Jordy Mercer's son, in the clubhouse. Locke had thrown seven innings of one-run baseball but finally met his match as Maverick got several hits, which he followed with bat flips. Locke could smile, and the players were able to eat up the scene because the Pirates have now won two in a row after a dreadful, 6-20 stretch that dates back to May ... Read More
Kuhl to make major league debut Sunday vs. Dodgers
Pitcher Chad Kuhl met with reporters to discuss the worst kept secret this weekend: He's starting Sunday night's game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kuhl got the news Wednesday in an on-the-road meeting with Pittsburgh Triple-A affiliate Indianapolis Indians manager Dean Treanor and minor league pitching coordinator Scott Mitchell. It'll be the first major league start for Kuhl, who was drafted by the Pirates in the ninth round of the 2013 MLB Draft. “We’ve ... Read More
Riverhounds fall to Rochester Rhinos, 2-1
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds went back to the losing column Saturday night against the Rochester Rhinos. A week after the team’s 2-1 win over FC Montreal, the Riverhounds fell to the Rhinos 2-1 at the Rhinos' home, Sahlen’s Stadium. The Rhinos got on the board first and early with Joseph Farrell’s goal in the 8’ minute. The Riverhounds had some early attempts from midfielder Danny Earls, who made his Riverhounds debut this season against the Rhinos, and midfielder Kevin Kerr, but none went ... Read More