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Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Central

Pirates trade Grilli to Angels

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Los Angeles Angels hope the Jason Grilli they're getting from the Pittsburgh Pirates is the dominant version of last year rather than the struggling one of this year.The Pirates feel the same way about Ernesto Frieri.The Angels and Pirates made a swap the relievers on Friday night, each team optimistic that a change of scenery will be enough to allow their new arms to revert to their old ways."Obviously we're trying to get a bullpen with some chemistry and upgrade it," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said, "and I think Jason Grilli is a guy who can hopefully come ...

Pirates still have chance to turn corner

The image of a kneeling Russell Martin holding up a ball-clenched fist will forever be part of the portrait of Pittsburgh Pirates history.It was Sept. 23, 2013 at the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field. Martin had just tagged out Nate Schierholtz of the Chicago Cubs in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap a 2-1 win that would send the Pirates to the playoffs for the first time in 21 years.Seconds later, Pirates closer Jason Grilli ran up to his catcher, also got on his knees, and gave Martin a bear hug with a huge smile on his face.It, too, is an image that will last for many Bucco ...

Mets blast Cole, Bucs

PITTSBURGH - Clint Hurdle was in no mood for second-guessing.Gerrit Cole returned from the disabled list Saturday and pitched poorly as the Pittsburgh Pirates lost to the New York Mets 5-3.Cole (6-4), who leads the Pirates in victories, lasted just four innings. Activated from the DL earlier in the day, he was tagged for five runs and seven hits. Cole had been out since June 4 with right shoulder fatigue.The Pirates opted to have Cole pitch three simulated games while he was rehabbing instead of pitching in game competition in the minor leagues. When Hurdle was asked if the Pirates made ...

Breaking Bartolo

PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Pirates fared a lot better facing Bartolo Colon for the second time this season.About a month after they were held scoreless into the eighth by the Colon, Ike Davis and the Pirates built an early five-run lead against the heavy right-hander and held on for a 5-2 win Sunday."First and foremost I don't think he had his A game," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. "He can still compete and win games without it. The biggest difference is when balls were left out over the plate today, we put good swings on them."The biggest swings on Colon's pitches over the ...

Arms race forthcoming for Pirates

A.J. Burnett didn't get the ball for the Pirates in Game 5 of the 2013 National League Division Series.But he could get back on the mound for Pittsburgh as it makes a second-half push towards the playoffs this year.As the calendar turns to July, rumors across all of Major League Baseball will be flying as the non-waiver trade deadline occurs at the end of the month.The Pirates started off the in-season hot stove by shipping aging reliever Jason Grilli to the Angels in exchange for Ernesto Frieri. So far, the move could be seen as a win because Frieri, 28, didn't allow a baserunner ...

DIAMOND HEIST

PITTSBURGH - Starling Marte swung so miserably at the first two sliders he saw from Arizona Diamondbacks closer Addison Reed in the ninth inning that the Pittsburgh left fielder knew more were on the way.So he stepped out of the batter's box, took a deep breath and waited."I was struggling the first two pitches but I was thinking about the pitch I want," Marte said. "He threw me a slider and it was a good chance to hit the ball."Was it ever.Marte turned an 81 mph slider over the middle of the plate into a game-tying, two-run double and then scored on pinch-hitter Ike Davis' single two ...