Alvarez dominates at plate against Phillies

March 21, 2015

BRADENTON, Fla. - Pedro Alvarez had three hits, including two doubles and a two-run homer, as a Pittsburgh Pirates' split squad beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-5 Friday.Two of Alvarez's hits, including the home run, came against left-handed pitchers, and all three hits were struck to center or left field. Alvarez hit .175 against southpaws last season."It was a very good day for Pedro," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "When he can come up and hit the ball that hard, that far to center or the opposite field, that's when Pedro works best."Trailing 5-1, the Pirates scored three runs in ...

Astros, hammer homers off Morton

March 23, 2015

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Chris Carter hit his second homer of the spring and started an eight-run fifth inning with a double Sunday as the Houston Astros roughed up Charlie Morton in a 14-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.Carter went 3 for 3 and drove in two runs for Houston. The first baseman is trying to become a more complete hitter than the one who finished second in the major leagues in home runs (37) and fifth in strikeouts (182) last season."I'm trying to stay with my approach, just short and compact. The biggest thing is not missing your pitch when you get it," said Carter. "I've ...

Pirates offense comes alive

March 24, 2015

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - A.J. Burnett isn't fazed by ugly pitching lines in spring training.The Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander feels good about the way he's throwing the ball and believes he's on track to be ready for the start of the regular season.The 38-year-old worked into the fifth inning, and the Pirates hit three homers Monday during a 7-6 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.Burnett yielded five runs and three hits over 4 2-3 innings in his fourth start. He walked three and struck out five, building his pitch count to 78."The next one is going to be huge, because you get to that 100 ...

McCutchen returns, but Pirates fall to O’s

March 25, 2015

BRADENTON, Fla. - Andrew McCutchen was hitless in two at-bats in his return to the Pirates' lineup, and Steve Pearce homered against his former team to lead the Baltimore Orioles over Pittsburgh 9-2 Tuesday.McCutchen, the 2013 NL MVP, was out 10 days with lower body soreness. He has a .143 batting average in six spring training games."Same old same," McCutchen said. "I'm good to go. It's good to be back. I'll be comfortable in no time."Manager Clint Hurdle said he has no concerns McCutchen, who is batting .143 in six spring training games, will be ready for opening day."He's in a good ...

Pirates’ Walker shifting focus from contract to season

March 26, 2015

BRADENTON, Fla. - The unfailingly polite Neil Walker has been asked about his contract status for most of spring training, to the point where the second baseman thinks it's counterproductive to talk about it."It's time to think about the season," the Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman said this week. "That's the focus now."The Pirates open the season April 6 at Cincinnati against the Reds and it appears contract talks between the team and the popular Pittsburgh-area native who was their first-round draft pick in 2004 have been put on hold.The sides could not agree on a deal in the ...

Pirates rock Price

April 1, 2015

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) - David Price didn't want to end spring training this way.Price was rocked for seven runs over six innings in his final tuneup for opening day as the Detroit Tigers lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-3 Tuesday."I just wanted to work on some things, last-minute things," Price said. "I know I need to make better pitches, but body-wise I feel fine."Price is to start Monday's opener against Minnesota, ending Justin Verlander's streak of pitching seven straight Detroit openers.Before Detroit acquired him from Tampa Bay last year, Price pitched home games in a dome. He said ...