Pirates slip past Cubs for 2-1 win

June 23, 2014

CHICAGO - Brandon Cumpton's first career game at Wrigley Field looked a lot like his previous three starts. It was another smooth outing for the young right-hander.Cumpton pitched seven scoreless innings, Travis Snider hit a solo homer and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 2-1 on Sunday.Cumpton allowed just two hits, walked two and struck out four, helping the Pirates take the last two games of their weekend series in Chicago. The 25-year-old Cumpton (3-2) improved to 3-0 with a 3.09 ERA in four starts this month."Rookie or whatever you call it, this dude, he comes in every ...

Alvarez back with a bang

June 24, 2014

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Pedro Alvarez's first homer in almost three weeks helped the Pittsburgh Pirates improve to .500 for just the second time in more than two months.The slumping 2013 co-NL home run champion backed Edinson Volquez's pitching with a three-run shot, keying an 8-1 victory over the sputtering Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night."It always helps, obviously, when I can contribute to a team victory," said Alvarez, who's hitting .232 with 12 homers and 38 RBIs."I've always said sometimes results aren't indicative of how you may feel at the plate, and I feel like I'm a good place," ...

Pirates rough up Tampa Bay early, hold on for another victory

June 25, 2014

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Pittsburgh Pirates came out on top in their latest one-run game.Andrew McCutchen drove in two runs, Jeff Locke pitched into the eighth inning, and the Pirates beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-5 on Tuesday night.The Pirates have the NL's best record (27-18) since May 6, and moved above .500 (39-38) for the first time since starting the season 7-6.Pittsburgh, which took a 6-1 lead, is 18-15 in games decided by a run."You continually try and create separation," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "You need them all. You don't take things for granted. Obviously it's ...

Price roughs up Pirates

June 26, 2014

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - If it was David Price's last start for the Tampa Bay Rays, it will go down as one of his best.Price struck out 11, becoming the first pitcher in 10 years to fan at least 10 in five straight starts, and the Rays beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 on Wednesday."I've never been as good as I am right now, period. Not in 2012 (when he won the Cy Young Award), not in college, not in high school," declared Price, who is rumored to be on the trading block from the last-place Rays. "This is the best pitcher I've ever been. I feel in complete control on the mound at all ...

Polanco, Worley lead Pirates past Mets, 5-2

June 27, 2014

PITTSBURGH - Gregory Polanco has already earned a long list of admirers during his short time in the majors. New York Mets manager Terry Collins is now one of them.Collins got his first look at the Pittsburgh Pirates' rookie right fielder Thursday night and came away impressed."He's got a lot of tools, a lot of skills," Collins said. "I watched him in batting practice and you see he had big power, then he showed it in the game. He's very impressive."The hot-hitting Polanco homered and drove in four runs, and resurgent right-hander Vance Worley pitched seven stingy innings to lead the ...

Harrison delivers winning hit for Pirates

June 28, 2014

PITTSBURGH - Josh Harrison doubled home the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 3-2 victory over the New York Mets on Friday night.Jordy Mercer hit a two-run single for the Pirates (41-39), who moved two games above .500 for the first time since April 10. They have won the first two games of the four-game series.Pinch-hitter Clint Barmes drew a one-out walk from former Pittsburgh reliever Vic Black (1-2) in the 11th. Mercer struck out before Harrison hit a drive to the 375-foot sign in right-center, scoring Barmes without a ...