SB Nation Pittsburgh - Pirates Vs. Padres: Clint Barmes And Neil Walker Spark Pirates To 11-5 Winhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2012-08-12T19:07:25-04:00http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/rss/stream/29980062012-08-12T19:07:25-04:002012-08-12T19:07:25-04:00Padres Vs. Pirates: Neil Walker Praises Clint Barmes
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<p><span>Neil Walker</span>, one of the key players in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a>' 11-5 comeback victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">San Diego Padres</a> Sunday, <a href="http://sulia.com/channel/pittsburgh-pirates/f/93b691e4-6958-44ae-84da-26a1632f9539/?source=twitter">has some praise</a> for the other key player, shortstop <span>Clint Barmes</span>, whose grand slam in the fourth gave the Pirates the lead.</p>↵<blockquote>↵<p>"I honestly could not have been happier for a person on this entire team. Fans want to give him crap about what the numbers are, but ... this is one of the best teammates I've ever played with and a guy who's helped me out a lot (with) his positive attitude and the way he plays the game and grinding it out."</p>↵</blockquote>↵<p>When you're having a year as terrible as the one Barmes has had, intangibles only count for so much. The Pirates have been giving away outs all season with Barmes and his .242 on-base percentage in the lineup, even if Barmes has taken some of those back with his strong defense. But it's nice to see that there's a bond between the Bucs' two starting middle infielders.</p>↵<p><i>For more on the Pirates, check out <a href="http://bucsdugout.com">Bucs Dugout</a></i>.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/8/12/3238409/padres-vs-pirates-neil-walker-clint-barmesCharlie Wilmoth2012-08-12T17:22:54-04:002012-08-12T17:22:54-04:00Padres Vs. Pirates Recap: Clint Barmes' Grand Slam And Neil Walker's Big Day Spark Bucs
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<p>The Pittsburgh Pirates were able to salvage a game out of their series with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">San Diego Padres</a>, defeating the Friars 11-5 at PNC Park Sunday.</p>
<p>It appeared to be heading for disaster at first, as the Padres jumped out to a 4-0 lead thanks to a number of Pirates miscues. San Diego then took a 5-0 lead in the second.</p>
<p>After cutting the deficit to 5-1, the Pirates broke the game open against former teammate Ross Ohlendorf, exploding for nine runs in the bottom of the fourth, highlighted by a <span>Clint Barmes</span> grand slam that gave the Pirates the lead.</p>
<p><span>Neil Walker</span> was also a big part of the Pirates' success on Sunday, going 5-for-5 with a home run and a walk. <span>Andrew McCutchen</span> also ended his mini slump with a two-hit game.</p>
<p><span>Erik Bedard</span> went five innings giving up five runs. <span>Chris Resop</span>, <span>Juan Cruz</span>, <span>Chad Qualls</span> and <span>Joel Hanrahan</span> combined out of the bullpen to shut down the Padres over the last four innings.</p>
<p><i>For the latest on the Pirates, be sure to stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh and check out</i><a href="http://www.bucsdugout.com/" target="_blank">Bucs Dugout</a><i>, SB Nation's <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a> blog.</i></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/8/12/3238244/padres-vs-pirates-recap-clint-barmes-grand-slam-neil-walkerSteve Uhlmann2012-08-12T10:46:10-04:002012-08-12T10:46:10-04:00Pirates Option Jared Hughes To Triple-A, Welcome Back Juan Cruz From DL
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<p>The Pirates <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Pirates/status/234656154565898240">have announced</a> that they've reinstated reliever <span>Juan Cruz</span> from this disabled list and optioned reliever <span>Jared Hughes</span> to Triple-A Indianapolis to make room.</p>
<p>Cruz is 1-1 with a 2.61 ERA and 32 strikeouts against 17 walks in 31 innings this season. He landed on the DL in mid-July with shoulder inflamation.</p>
<p>Hughes, meanwhile, was 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 32 strikeouts against 18 walks in 56.2 innings pitched. He has been one of the Pirates' most productive relief pitchers this seasons, but those numbers hide recent struggles. In his last four appearances spanning six innings pitched, Hughes has given up six earned runs and two home runs. He gave up three earned runs in one inning against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> on Aug. 7, which led to a 10-4 loss.</p>
<p>This move will give Hughes a chance to work on getting his stuff back into top form. He will likely be one of the top candidates to return to the club when rosters expand of Sept. 1 if not sooner.</p>
<p><i>For the latest on the Bucs, be sure to stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh and check out </i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.bucsdugout.com/">Bucs Dugout</a><i>, SB Nation's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a> blog. </i></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/8/12/3237543/pirates-roster-moves-juan-cruz-jared-hughesFTG18552012-08-12T10:33:33-04:002012-08-12T10:33:33-04:00Pirates vs. Padres: Ross Ohlendorf Makes Return To PNC Park
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<p>When the Pirates look to avoid a sweep at the hands of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> at 1:35 p.m. on Sunday at PNC Park, they'll see a familiar face on the mound. Former Bucs starter <span>Ross Ohlendorf</span> gets the call for San Diego. Pittsburgh will send <span>Erik Bedard</span> to face him.</p>
<p>Acquired by the Pirates in a trade of outfielder <span>Xavier Nady</span> and reliever <span>Damaso Marte</span> that also brought back <span>Jose Tabata</span>, <span>Jeff Karstens</span> and <span>Daniel McCutchen</span>, Ohlendorf has started 34 games at PNC Park. In those starts, he has gone 9-13 with a 3.93 ERA and 130 strikeouts against 67 walks. This season, he is 4-2 overall with a 5.61 ERA, 36 strikeouts and 19 walks.</p>
<p>The Pirates, trying to avoid a fourth-straight loss, released Ohlendorf this past offseason.</p>
<p><i>For the latest on the Pirates, be sure to stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh and check out </i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.bucsdugout.com/">Bucs Dugout</a><i>, SB Nation's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a> blog.</i></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/8/12/3237517/pirates-vs-padres-ross-ohlendorf-erik-bedardFTG18552012-08-11T22:47:08-04:002012-08-11T22:47:08-04:00Pirates Vs. Padres: Pittsburgh Falls 5-0 As Jason Marquis Tosses Two-Hitter
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<p>It's safe to say: <span>Jason Marquis</span> had the Pirates' number Saturday night. San Diego's starting pitcher surrendered just two hits and no runs over nine innings, leading the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> to a relatively easy 5-0 win over Pittsburgh at PNC Park. Marquis. who improved to 6-6 on the season, actually took a no-hitter bid into the seventh inning before <span>Travis Snider</span> broke it up with an infield single.</p>
<p>The Pirates, who dropped their third consecutive game, collected another hit in the bottom of the eighth inning when <span>Pedro Alvarez</span> singled to right center field.</p>
<p>Following the loss, Pittsburgh is now stuck 4.5 games behind the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Cincinnati Reds</a> in the N.L. Central, though they are tied atop the wild-card standings.</p>
<p>The series finale is scheduled for Sunday at 1:35 p.m. EST.</p>
<p><i>For the latest on the Bucs, be sure to stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh and check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bucsdugout.com/">Bucs Dugout</a>, SB Nation's <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a> blog.</i></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/8/11/3236913/pittsburgh-pirates-san-diego-padres-jason-marquis-two-hitterJoey Kaufman2012-08-11T20:21:23-04:002012-08-11T20:21:23-04:00Pirates Vs. Padres Score Update: Pittsburgh Trails 3-0 After Four Innings
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<p>The Pittsburgh Pirates have struggled, slightly. Through four innings of play at PNC Park, the Bucs have been held hitless by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">San Diego Padres</a> starting pitcher <span>Jason Marquis</span>, who has been near-perfect with just one walk allowed on 51 pitches.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Padres have found success against Pittsburgh starter <span>A.J. Burnett</span>, who has allowed three runs (two earned) over the course of four innings. </p>
<p>San Diego tallied its three runs over the first, third and fourth innings. <span>Chase Headley</span> got the Padres on the scoreboard first with a solo home run, followed by a ground out in the second that scored <span>Everth Cabrera</span>.</p>
<p>San Diego took the first game of the weekend series on Friday night with a 9-8 win over the Pirates, who are amid the NL Wild Card race.</p>
<p><i>For the latest on the Bucs, be sure to stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh and check out <a href="http://www.bucsdugout.com/" target="_blank">Bucs Dugout</a>, SB Nation's <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a> blog.</i></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/8/11/3236655/pirates-vs-padres-score-update-pittsburgh-trails-3-0-after-fourJoey Kaufman2012-08-11T12:13:37-04:002012-08-11T12:13:37-04:00Pirates vs. Padres: Kevin Correia To Get Another Start
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<p>Following <span>James McDonald's</span> implosion Friday night in which he allowed seven earned runs on seven hits and a walk in 4.1 innings and lost a 7-1 lead against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> in a 9-8 loss, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle told the <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/KarenPrice_Trib/status/234128143491948544">Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Karen Price</a> that pitcher <span>Kevin Correia</span> will start this coming Tuesday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> at PNC Park.</p>
<p>Correia was bumped from the Bucs' rotation to the bullpen at the end of July when the team traded for <span>Wandy Rodriguez</span>, but he made a spot start this past Wednesday, picking up the win in Pittsburgh's 7-6 victory against Arizona. He'll now get another turn, putting the Pirates on course for what appears to be a six-man rotation.</p>
<p>This could help give McDonald a few extra days to straighten out his stuff as he's been struggling mightily lately, but it also cuts into the number of starts the other guys in the rotation (Rodriguez, <span>Erik Bedard</span>, <span>Jeff Karstens</span> and <span>A.J. Burnett</span>) can make. It will be interesting to see if the Pirates continue to use Correia as a stop gap while McDonald struggles, or if they'll consider replacing McDonald with Correia if the former continues to pitch poorly.</p>
<p><i>For the latest on the Bucs, be sure to stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh and check out </i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.bucsdugout.com/">Bucs Dugout</a><i>, SB Nation's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a> blog. </i></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/8/11/3235809/pirates-vs-padres-kevin-correia-james-mcdonaldFTG18552012-08-11T08:00:47-04:002012-08-11T08:00:47-04:00Padres Vs. Pirates: A.J. Burnett, Bucs Attempt To Bounce Back After Painful Loss
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a> will attempt to bounce back from a <a href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/8/10/3235014/pirates-vs-padres-score-recap/in/2998006">gut-wrenching 9-8 loss</a> when they face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">San Diego Padres</a> again Saturday night at 7:05 p.m.</p>
<p>The Bucs, currently dealing with a series of unreliable performances by one of their better starters in <span>James McDonald</span>, will send their stopper, <span>A.J. Burnett</span>, to the hill. Recently, Burnett has been as great as McDonald has been bad, nearly pitching a complete game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a> in his previous start and tossing a one-hitter against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> in the start before that. He has won his last four decisions.</p>
<p>The Padres, meanwhile, will start <span>Jason Marquis</span>. Marquis has struggled this season, with a 5.47 ERA overall and a 5.82 ERA away from the favorable pitching environs in San Diego, but his underlying numbers suggest he's had a lot of bad luck with fly balls turning into home runs. The righty still generally keeps the ball on the ground, but his dwindling velocity should continue to make him very hittable.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Pirates, check out <a href="http://bucsdugout.com">Bucs Dugout</a>. For more on the Padres, there's <a href="http://gaslampball.com">Gaslamp Ball</a></i>.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/8/11/3235321/padres-vs-pirates-a-j-burnett-jason-marquis-recapCharlie Wilmoth