Former Pirates coach optimistic in Texas

February 27, 2015

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) - New Texas Rangers manager Jeff Banister finally got to address the entire team Thursday, more than four months after getting the job.In a team meeting before the first full-squad workout, Banister had a simple message."Why not us?" Banister asked the team.The Rangers had an American League-high 95 losses last season, their most since 1985. But Banister said that is in the past.Banister said everybody had the opportunity to reflect on that and understand what happened. He said it is now time to focus on this season, and working to be a playoff contender again."It's ...

Pirates star McCutchen eyes step forward

March 1, 2015

BRADENTON, Fla. - The Pittsburgh Pirates lost 95 games in 2005, the year they drafted outfielder Andrew McCutchen in the first round. Four years later, when McCutchen made his major league debut, they lost 99 games.McCutchen has seen the franchise at its worst. As he has matured into one of the top players in the National League, the Pirates also have been on the upswing.The Pirates got an NL wild-card berth in each of the past two seasons. This year, McCutchen wants more."We're not here to try to win a wild-card game," McCutchen said. "We're here to win the division and keep going from ...

Who’s on first at PNC Park?

March 1, 2015

Even before Deflate-Gate, there was another controversy brewing with the balls of the sports world. Like the Patriots' deflated footballs in the AFC Championship Game, the Pirates' Pedro Alvarez could have used some more air under his throws from third base to first base.As his errors on the hot corner (25 in 99 games) piled up, Alvarez moved from third to first in hopes of limiting his throwing fiasco and opening a door for emerging star Josh Harrison.Alvarez appeared in just five games at first base for Pittsburgh in 2014 as a stress fracture in his left foot sidelined him for the ...

Bucs’ bats are back

March 4, 2015

DUNEDIN, Fla. - Pedro Alvarez hit a three-run shot and Korean rookie Jung Ho Kang connected for his first major league homer, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to an 8-7 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday in the exhibition opener for both teams.Alvarez's drive came in the first inning off Aaron Sanchez after Gregory Polanco singled and Starling Marte reached on an error by new Toronto third baseman Josh Donaldson.Sanchez, a candidate for the starting rotation, yielded four hits, five runs - two earned - and walked one in 1 1-3 innings.Alvarez added an RBI double in the fifth. The ...

Ex-Pirate Maholm looking for fresh start

March 4, 2015

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) - Left-hander Paul Maholm is getting a chance to help the Cincinnati Reds piece together their depleted starting rotation.The Reds signed Maholm to a minor league deal and invited him to training camp to see whether he could be a starter again after spending much of last season in the Dodgers bullpen. Before that, he was a starter with the Pirates, Cubs and Braves."Maholm played on some good teams in Atlanta and L.A., and we have a need for starting pitchers," manager Bryan Price said.The Reds traded Mat Latos and Alfredo Simon in the offseason, leaving two openings ...

Blue Jays down Pirates in Bradenton opener

March 5, 2015

BRADENTON, Fla. - Marcus Stroman looked sharp in his first spring training outing and Kevin Pillar hit an RBI double Wednesday as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-1.Stroman worked the first 1 2-3 innings and allowed an unearned run on two hits. The right-hander struck out one and threw a wild pitch."It was just good to get back out there and compete against another team," Stroman said. "It was a little rough in the first inning, but my body and my arm feel great. I was pretty pleased with it."Pirates right-hander Gerrit Cole allowed a run on one hit in two innings. ...