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Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Central

Bryant, Hammel, Cubs top Pirates

CHICAGO - With each win, the Chicago Cubs seem to gain a little bit more confidence.Kris Bryant drove in two runs, Jason Hammel threw eight sharp innings and the Cubs beat Pittsburgh 4-0 Monday night, ending the Pirates' five-game winning streak.Chicago won its third straight. Back home after a 4-2 road trip, the Cubs are showing signs that this year might be different than the previous five losing seasons."We know what we have in the clubhouse," Hammel said. "We're excited and it starts with (manager) Joe (Maddon). ... He came in and made us know that we were going to have a good time ...

Cubs stop Bucs

CHICAGO - Perhaps the most surprising part of the Chicago Cubs' fast start is that they are leading the National League in stolen bases after five on Tuesday night.So far they have 25, while last season they ranked 24th in the majors with 65 total."A big part of that is want to," manager Joe Maddon said. "There's a lot of want to in stealing bases. There's that cavalier attitude that's necessary where you're not afraid to make a mistake."The Cubs certainly haven't been making many mistakes of late.Dexter Fowler had three hits and two RBIs, Travis Wood tossed seven strong innings and the ...

Cutch reaches milestone as Bucs top Cubs

CHICAGO (AP) - Andrew McCutchen reached the 1,000-hit plateau Wednesday night, which was a big deal to nearly everyone in the Pittsburgh Pirates' clubhouse - except McCutchen."It's a good milestone," he said, "but I don't want to stop there."The All-Star center fielder was more focused on the final result, Pittsburgh's 8-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs."It was good to get a win," he said.Gerrit Cole allowed three hits over six innings, McCutchen had the key hit with a two-run triple and the Pirates salvaged the finale of the three-game series, snapping the Cubs' four-game winning ...

Adams gives Cardinals 2-1 win over Pirates in 10 innings

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Matt Adams took advantage of an unexpected opportunity Friday night.Adams hit a bases-loaded single with two outs in the 10th inning to give the St. Louis Cardinals a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.The Cardinals have won four in a row, and 14 of their last 17 at home against Pittsburgh.The Pirates fell to 4-3 on their nine-game road trip.Jon Jay started the winning rally with a two-out single off Rob Scahill (0-2). Matt Carpenter followed with a double down the left-field line and Matt Holliday was intentionally walked, which came as a shock to Adams."I couldn't ...

Cards again beat Pirates 2-1 in extras, win in 11th

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Matt Carpenter takes pride in giving St. Louis baseball fans their money's worth.The Cardinals' third baseman hit a game-ending sacrifice fly in the 11th inning Saturday and the Cardinals once again beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 in extras.The Cardinals, who have won five in a row, beat the Pirates 2-1 Friday night on Matt Adams' single in the 10th.Pittsburgh left a season-high 18 runners on base and the Cardinals stranded just four. St. Louis has won 15 of its last 18 against the Pirates at Busch Stadium.Thrilling walkoff endings are getting to be the norm for St. ...

Cardinals win in extras again, beat Pirates 3-2 in 14

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Kolten Wong went up there hacking. Starting a rally wouldn't satisfy."I didn't want to bloop something in or anything like that," Wong said after he homered in the 14th inning and the St. Louis Cardinals beat Pittsburgh in extra innings for the third straight time, 3-2 on Sunday."I wanted to drive something and either score myself or get in scoring position," he said.Starter Michael Wacha, who'd been three outs away from becoming the majors' second 5-0 pitcher, returned to the dugout just in time to watch the winner."Myself and all the other relievers that had already ...