There was more to Sunday afternoon's 4-2 loss by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Milwaukee Brewers. Not only were the Pirates swept this weekend, but they never had a lead at any point. Additionally, the Pirates have lost nine straight contests to the Brewers at Miller Park and are 17-64 there since the 2007 season. In each of the three games this series, the Brewers scored first. Friday and Saturday, the Brewers hit two-run home runs in the opening inning, but this time the run was ... Read More
Archives for July 2016
Riverhounds snap losing streak, beat Hammerheads 4-1
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (3-12-4) can throw their four-game losing streak away. The Riverhounds, who had lost four in a row — and three of those losses came at home — traveled to North Carolina to face the Wilmington Hammerheads FC (6-8-6) on Saturday evening. The team notched a dominant 4-1 win over the Hammerheads, which included Nick Thompson’s first goal as a member of the Riverhounds. However, his goal didn’t come until the 90’+ minute. Scoring first for the team was captain Kevin ... Read More
Why timing was right for Mark Melancon trade
Here's a memo to Pittsburgh Pirates fans upset about closer Mark Melancon being traded: Relax. The Pirates' management is very aware of what it is doing and, under general manager Neal Huntington, they're not wrong by making this move. First of all, Melancon is going to be just fine. He's heading to a Washington Nationals team that leads the NL East by five games. Those who question whether Melancon can handle being outside PNC Park because he doesn't strike enough batters out should stop ... Read More
Base-running gaffes cost Pirates in 5-3 loss to Brewers
When five consecutive batters reached base in the fourth inning, it seemed like Saturday night's game could be big for the Pittsburgh Pirates (52-50). But the opportunity was squandered, and only one baserunner scored. As such, manager Clint Hurdle couldn't even force a smile in a 5-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers (46-56). Even the play where the run scored, a Jung Ho Kang single, didn't have the desired impact as Starling Marte was thrown out at third base. This came after Marte was also ... Read More
Here’s what Neal Huntington had to say about the Melancon trade
After almost three years with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, closer Mark Melancon will be heading to Washington, D.C. On Saturday, it was announced Melancon was traded to the Washington Nationals in return for reliever Felipe Rivero and prospect Taylor Hearn. Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington said it was a “very difficult decision” to trade Melancon, especially “given the person that (he) is … he’s poured his heart and soul into this organization.” Melancon has had a phenomenal ... Read More
Pirates deal Melancon to Nationals
With the Aug. 1 trade deadline in the MLB fast approaching, the Pittsburgh Pirates have made a deal with the Washington Nationals. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports first reported the deal. Sources: #Nationals getting Melancon. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2016 The deal includes relief pitcher, Mark Melancon, being traded to the Nationals. In return, the Pirates received pitcher Felipe Rivero and prospect player Taylor Hearn. Melancon, who recently went to the MLB All-Star ... Read More
Should Steelers pursue Nick Foles?
The Pittsburgh Steelers have no question marks when it comes to who their starting quarterback is heading into the 2016 season. Ben Roethlisberger has been the starting quarterback for the Steelers for years now, and he’s not done with his football career just yet. However, the depth chart behind him is a little shaky, with the Steelers having trouble with finding a solid second - or even third - string quarterback. Bruce Gradkowski could make the argument that he is a solid backup ... Read More
Miller Park a house of horrors for Pirates
It is no secret that the Millwaukee Brewers have dominated the Pittsburgh Pirates at Miller Park in recent years. On paper, the Pirates have the easiest second-half schedule in Major League Baseball, but that includes this series and two more at Miller Park, not to mention several other National League Central opponents with many of these series occurring on the road. The Brewers once again handled the Pirates, this time by a 3-1 score Friday night, spoiling a good outing from Steven ... Read More
MLB Trade Rumors: What should Pirates do at trade deadline?
The 2016 Pittsburgh Pirates (52-48) find themselves in a tough position with the trade deadline fast approaching and the team's position in the standings a bit different than in the past three years. Currently, the Pirates are third in the NL Central and trail the division-leading Chicago Cubs by 8.5 games; Pittsburgh is an additional two games out of making the playoffs as a wild card. So, at the trade deadline, should the Pirates be buyers or sellers — or should they simply stand ... Read More
6 Pirates in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospect list
MLB.com released its updated top 100 list of prospects after the MLB Draft. The Pirates, who have seen a wave of prospects enter the big leagues this year, have six players listed in the top 100. Tyler Glasnow (10th), Austin Meadows (12th), Josh Bell (29th), Jameson Taillon (30th), Kevin Newman (53rd) and Mitch Keller (89th) all make the list as they still qualify as prospects as they haven't reached the the maximum allowed 130 at-bats, 50 innings pitched or 45 days spent on the 25-man active ... Read More