Pirates done in by Cardinals to open series

August 26, 2014

PITTSBURGH - Jared Hughes was a strike away from putting the St. Louis Cardinals in serious trouble.That's when his problems began.The normally reliable Pittsburgh Pirates reliever unraveled during the seventh inning of a 3-2 loss Monday night when his typically efficient sinker didn't sink quite enough to do its job."I still have confidence in that pitch and I have confidence in our team, and if I continue to pitch that sinker down in the zone it will be hit to people and it'll be a different outcome tomorrow," Hughes said.Tony Cruz started the rally by turning an 0-2 count into a ...

Ike, Ike Baby: Davis’ 3-run homer lifts Bucs

August 27, 2014

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Ike Davis didn't complain when the Pittsburgh Pirates told him they were going to eat into his playing time by experimenting with Pedro Alvarez at first base. Call it the byproduct of spending four-plus seasons with the New York Mets."You kind of get immune to stuff after a while," Davis said. "Kind of my career has been starting, not starting, so I'm used to it."Davis is simply happy to be in a pennant race at the moment. He provided a needed jolt in a pinch-hit appearance Tuesday night, connecting for a tiebreaking three-run homer off St. Louis reliever Seth Maness in ...

Long Davis home run lifts Pirates over Cardinals, 3-1

August 28, 2014

PITTSBURGH - Ike Davis wasn't able to play meaningful late-season games during his time with the New York Mets. He's making the most of his chance with the Pittsburgh Pirates."It's the first time he's been involved in games that have this kind of significance this late in the season," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said Wednesday after Davis' long home run keyed a 3-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. "He's showing up to the ballpark ready contribute any way he can."Davis hit a two-run drive off a speaker above the seats in right-center field in the second inning. A day earlier, Davis had ...

Harrison helps Pirates edge Reds 2-1

August 30, 2014

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Edinson Volquez loves how Josh Harrison plays the game. He thinks the third baseman is the most valuable player in the National League.Harrison hit an RBI triple and scored on Jose Tabata's tiebreaking single in the eighth inning, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 2-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night.Harrison had three hits while also making a number of sparkling defensive plays. Tabata, starting in right field for the injured Travis Snider, finished with two hits in the Pirates' sixth win in eight games."He's unbelievable," Volquez said of Harrison, ...

Walker, Worley lead surging Bucs

August 31, 2014

PITTSBURGH - For the second straight game, the Pittsburgh Pirates made the most of one productive inning.Neil Walker hit a three-run homer in the first and Pittsburgh made it hold up behind starter Vance Worley, beating the Cincinnati Reds 3-2 on Saturday for its fourth straight victory.Walker's 18th home run put the Pirates ahead 3-0 against Alfredo Simon four batters into the game. Pittsburgh's winning streak matches its longest of the season.In the thick of the NL playoff race, the Pirates have won the first two games of the three-game series despite scoring in only two innings. They ...

Reds avoid sweep, Heisey hits 2 HRs, leads Cueto over Pirates

September 1, 2014

PITTSBURGH - The Cincinnati Reds likely envisioned themselves in the thick of a pennant race as the calendar turned to September. Yet, they're five games under .500 after injuries wreaked havoc on one of baseball's more talented rosters.Even Johnny Cueto, one of the game's best pitchers, hasn't been immune to the tough times endured by the Reds this season.On Sunday, Cueto overcame an early jolt to earn his 16th win and Chris Heisey hit two home runs, including a tiebreaking shot in the ninth inning, as the Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2.Cueto (16-8) gave up a home run to Josh ...