D-Backs out-muscle Pirates

August 1, 2014

PHOENIX - Andy Marte hit a two-run home run and Aaron Hill added a solo shot in the sixth inning to power the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 7-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday night.Nick Ahmed hit the Diamondbacks' third home run, an eighth-inning solo shot that was the first of his major-league career.Marte, called up from Triple-A Reno earlier on in the day to help fill the roster spots vacated by the trades of Gerardo Parra and Martin Prado, took Jeff Locke (2-3) deep into the left-field seats to break a 3-3 tie. Hill followed one out later with his ninth home run of the ...

McCutchen gets key hit, then hit, Bucs top D-backs

August 3, 2014

PHOENIX (AP) - Andrew McCutchen drove in the go-ahead run with an infield single in the eighth inning, then was hit by a pitch in the ninth Saturday night as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-3.McCutchen's single off Andy Marte's glove keyed a four-run eighth that made it 5-1.The next inning, McCutchen was hit squarely in the back by a pitch from reliever Randall Delgado with a 2-0 count, one out and runners on second and third.McCutchen stayed in the game and eventually scored. The NL MVP was plunked a day after Pirates reliever Ernesto Frieri hit Diamondbacks star ...

Pirates upset by no-call in loss to Diamonbacks

August 4, 2014

PHOENIX - Manager Clint Hurdle and the Pittsburgh Pirates lingered on the field to argue with the umpires, to no avail. It was all over.The Pirates lost 3-2 to the Diamondbacks on Sunday when Arizona runner Nick Ahmed put his arms up as he slid into second base and deflected a potential double play relay in the 10th inning.With runners at the corners and one out, Andy Marte hit a grounder to shortstop Jordy Mercer, who flipped to second baseman Jayson Nix for a forceout.Ahmed came in with his arms raised up, and was hit by Nix's throw. The ball rolled away, allowing Tuffy Gosewich to ...

Marlins use big eighth to beat Pirates 6-3

August 6, 2014

PITTSBURGH - Adeiny Hechavarria had two hits and drove in a run during a decisive five-run rally in the eighth inning to help the Miami Marlins beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-3 on Tuesday night.Hechavarria's RBI single made it 4-2 after Marcell Ozuna and Jarrod Saltalamacchia drew bases-loaded walks from Justin Wilson to force home the tying and go-ahead runs. Christian Yelich capped the inning with a run-scoring double.Giancarlo Stanton and Garrett Jones also had two hits for Miami.Pittsburgh's Jordy Mercer had two hits.A.J. Ramos (5-0) got two outs in the seventh inning for the ...

Harrison, Locke lead Pirates past Marlins, 7-3

August 7, 2014

PITTSBURGH - Jeff Locke never lost his poise and gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a chance to get a win.Locke overcame a shaky start to pitch seven innings and Josh Harrison had three hits to extend his hot streak as the Pirates beat the Miami Marlins 7-3 on Wednesday night.Locke (3-3) gave up three runs in the first two innings, and then shut out the Marlins over his last five. The left-hander gave up six hits, no walks, and struck out seven, beating Miami for the first time in five starts."It's easy to let things snowball, it's easy to let things carry on," Locke said. "I settled down. I ...

Pirates reel in Marlins

August 8, 2014

PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Gregory Polanco stepped into the batter's box with the bases loaded and one out in the fourth inning. His team led the Miami Marlins by a run, and he had a golden opportunity to put the game out of reach.After taking two pitches out of the zone, he fouled one back behind the third-base dugout. The next was hit foul down the left field line.Polanco's third cut did the trick as he laced left-hander Brian Flynn's 2-2 offering to his opposite field for a two-run single that gave the Pirates a three-run lead.The rookie finished 2 for 4 and drove ...