Black and Gold

Friday, August 28, 2015

Cole gets 15th win, Pirates top Marlins 2-1

By Tim Reynolds
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/pit/
August 28, 2015

Cole gets 15th win, Pirates top Marlins 2-1

Pittsburgh Pirates' Gerrit Cole prepares to pitch during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015, in Miami. Cole (15-7) allowed one run and five hits in 7 1-3 innings, striking out four and walking none. The Pirates defeated the Marlins 2-1. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

MIAMI (AP) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates took on the deepest parts of Marlins Park on Thursday night, and won.

Pitching Details

Win

Gerrit Cole

15-7
Loss

Justin Nicolino

2-2
Save

Mark Melancon

SV: 41

Gerrit Cole snapped the longest winless drought of his career, Pedro Alvarez homered and the Pirates held on to beat the Miami Marlins 2-1.

Catcher Francisco Cervelli tripled and scored in the second inning for the Pirates, who took three out of four in the series.

Alvarez made it 2-0 in the fourth on his 21st homer - the 18th of the solo variety. The big hits from Alvarez and Cervelli both went to deep center field, the triple by Cervelli skipping off the glove of Marlins center fielder Marcell Ozuna.

''(Alvarez) has as much raw power as anybody in the game, except for maybe the guy over there,'' Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said, with the 'guy over there' reference being a nod to Giancarlo Stanton, Miami's sidelined slugger.

The Marlins could have used Stanton. It was the 32nd time this season they were held to one run or less, and Cole kept them guessing most of the game.

Cole (15-7) allowed one run and five hits in 7 1-3 innings, striking out four and walking none. Cole hadn't gotten the win in any of his previous five starts, and the Pirates are 45-22 all-time when he takes the mound.

''Pretty special arm,'' Marlins manager Dan Jennings said. ''You know you're in for a battle any time he's the opposing pitcher. His stuff is quality and he's one of the better guys in the National League, no doubt.''

Justin Nicolino (2-2) gave up two runs and six hits in six innings for the Marlins, who got two hits apiece from Ozuna and Martin Prado. The homer served up to Alvarez was a cutter that stayed in the heart of the plate, Nicolino said.

''You can't leave pitches like that up to him,'' Nicolino said. ''He did what he was supposed to do with it.''

Said Alvarez: ''You never know here. It's such a big park.''

The Marlins got within 2-1 in the seventh when Derek Dietrich's sacrifice fly allowed Prado to score. Miami got what would have been the tying run to second with one out in the eighth, but left-hander Tony Watson relieved Cole and retired Dee Gordon and Ichiro Suzuki to strand J.T. Realmuto and keep the Pirates on top.

Mark Melancon gave up a leadoff single to Prado in the ninth, then got Justin Bour to hit into a double play and retired Ozuna on a grounder to finish off his 41st save in 43 chances.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Pirates: Cervelli, who did not play Wednesday after banging up both feet on Tuesday, was back in the starting lineup. He got ejected in the bottom of the third after a pitch from Cole was ruled a ball, and Cervelli turned toward home plate umpire Alan Porter while appearing to take exception. That came moments after Cervelli grounded out to end the top of the third and leave the bases loaded. ''I didn't like the way he talked to me,'' Cervelli said. ''I turned around and got thrown out.''

Marlins: LF Christian Yelich (right ankle, right knee) was out of the lineup and is considered day-to-day. ... RF Giancarlo Stanton (fractured left wrist) is set to take batting practice in Jupiter on Monday or Tuesday. Stanton - still far and away Miami's leader in home runs (27) and RBIs (67) despite missing 54 games and counting this season - is aiming to return to the lineup Sept. 4.

INCOMPLETE

Pittsburgh still doesn't have a complete game this season; this would be the first Pirates team ever without one unless someone goes the distance in one of their final 36 games. The Marlins have gone 232 games without a complete game, the longest active streak in the majors.

UP NEXT

Pirates: The Pirates have won each of Francisco Liriano's last 10 starts, and look to extend that Friday night when the LHP faces RHP Jon Gray (0-0, 5.94) and the Colorado Rockies. Liriano is 5-0 with a 3.19 ERA over that stretch, 9-6 with a 3.23 ERA for the season.

Marlins: LHP Adam Conley (1-1, 4.88) starts for Miami when the Marlins open a weekend series in Washington against the Nationals and RHP Max Scherzer (11-10, 2.79).

Thursday, August 27, 2015

McCutchen's 4 RBIs lead Pirates to 7-2 win

By Christopher Stock

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/pit/

August 27, 2015

The Pittsburgh Pirates' Andrew McCutchen hits an RBI double in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park in Miami on Aug. 26, 2015. The Pirates won, 7-2.David Santiago/TNS

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article32509998.html#storylink=cpy

MIAMI (AP) -- Andrew McCutchen had a big night to keep him on pace for a career-high in RBIs.

Pitching Details

Win

Jeff Locke

7-8
Loss

Chris Narveson

1-1

The All-Star outfielder homered and drove in four runs to help the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 7-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday.

''This guy was the MVP,'' Marlins manager Dan Jennings said. ''He's a special talent.''

McCutchen has 85 RBIs this season and is on pace for his first year with 100 RBIs.

''I'm getting more opportunities than I have in the past, and being able to come through,'' he said.

Pittsburgh (76-49) remains four games behind first-place St. Louis (80-45) in the NL Central.

Pirates starter Jeff Locke (7-8) pitched seven innings, allowing two runs and five hits. It was his longest outing since tossing 7 1-3 innings on July 19, at Milwaukee.

''You don't really want to have any question marks in your rotation, especially at this point of the season and the way I've pitched I feel like I've been that for a little while,'' Locke said. ''To get a good outing under your belt gives me more confidence.''

Miami's Chris Narveson (1-1) struggled in his first start since April 15, 2012, while with Milwaukee. He allowed seven runs and eight hits in 3 2-3 innings.

''I think I was a little amped up and trying to do a little too much and obviously left some balls up,'' Narveson said. ''They did what they were supposed to.''

Martin Prado homered for the Marlins.

McCutchen hit an RBI double in the first inning and helped spark a six-run second with a three-run homer, his 20th.

''Look at the batting average with runners in scoring position (.394),'' Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. ''Cutch is always looking to improve. You get guys on in front of him and that gives him more opportunities.''

McCutchen is 6 for 13 with three doubles, a home run, and six RBIs in the first three games of this series.

''He's one of the best for a reason,'' Narveson said.

Neil Walker's double started the scoring in the second. Chris Stewart and Starling Marte each had RBI singles before McCutchen's blast to left field as the Pirates sent 10 batters to the plate.

''It was good that we were able to get on the board early,'' McCutchen said. ''We've been looking for something like that.''

Pirates third baseman Aramis Ramirez made an impressive diving stop toward the foul line and threw from his knees to rob Miguel Rojas of a base hit in the eighth inning.

Miami relievers Erik Cordier and Scott McGough combined to pitch 5 1-3 scoreless innings allowing one hit and striking out six.

''The real highlight of the night was those two young kids coming out of the bullpen,'' Jennings said.

UP NEXT

Pirates: RHP Gerrit Cole (14-7, 2.49 ERA) will start Thursday's series finale. Cole will be looking for his first win since July 26 vs. Washington.

Marlins: LHP Justin Nicolino (2-1, 3.77 ERA) returns to the mound after allowing two runs in 7 2-3 innings in a no-decision against Philadelphia in his last start.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Fans should be used to rooting for players with baggage

By Joe Starkey

http://triblive.com/sports/

Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015, 10:27 p.m.

(AP)

Sports-talk radio went wild Tuesday with news of reformed dog killer Michael Vick working out for the Steelers.

I was present at the epicenter of what one colleague labeled “The Michael Vick Apocalypse.” Some vowed to burn their jerseys, others to sell their tickets. One man said he'd have a Steelers tattoo scraped from his leg.

I doubt much will come of it now that Vick has signed a one-year deal. But that's what they said.

I asked PETA for its official stance on Vick. It replied with the following statement from senior vice president Lisa Lange: “As long as he's throwing a football and not electrocuting a dog, PETA is pleased he is focused on his game.”

I don't begrudge any of those people their feelings. Michael Vick committed unspeakable acts, for which he was prosecuted eight years ago and spent 21 months in a federal prison.

Going back and reading about Bad Newz Kennels, the dogfighting ring Vick funded, is enough to make one ill. Vick admitted to participating in the destruction of multiple dogs. In some instances that meant the hanging, electrocuting, shooting or drowning of pit bulls bred to fight.

Though I am not a dog person, I'm well aware of what dogs mean to people, to families. I see how my 6-year-old daughter reacts to them and how they react to her. I understand. I couldn't blame anyone for never forgiving Vick.

But I also wonder: If you are inclined to disavow the Steelers on account of detestable player behavior, why did you wait until Michael Vick came to town?

The Steelers, like every NFL team — like many companies — are not averse to retaining employees guilty of heinous actions.

Vick isn't the only guy in that locker room with a past.

Now, I'm not here to distinguish human abuse from animal abuse. I just believe that once a person does his time, he deserves a second chance. Vick got his with the Philadelphia Eagles, then with the New York Jets, and did everything he was supposed to do.

I also believe that at some point many of us sign a contract with the sports devil. We keep rooting for our teams knowing they are bound to employ unsavory characters — or at least characters who have committed unsavory acts — for the sake of success.

Professional football is a power play, not a morality play. Teams sacrifice ethics in the pursuit of victory. If you don't accept those terms, I will assume you stopped watching a long time ago.

It's pretty clear why the Steelers are willing to tolerate whatever backlash comes their way: They were desperate for a backup quarterback.

Landry Jones is improving but not to the point where any rational person would trust him to win a game. Presumed No. 2 quarterback Bruce Gradkowski was put on injured reserve.

Vick, 35, was the best option out there. He can still play, as evidenced by his winning performance against the Steelers last season.

As linebacker Sean Spence put it, “He's a savvy quarterback who can get the job done.”

In the locker room, it seems clear, Vick's past won't matter. Cam Heyward spoke to that, as did Ramon Foster and others, all saying Vick would be well regarded. Brandon Boykin played with Vick in Philadelphia and said his history was never a hint of an issue.

Even Ben Roethlisberger, whose charity work with police dogs is well known, endorsed the move, which at the time was still pending.

“This is about football,” Roethlisberger said, “and that's what matters most to me.”

What matters most to you? After Vick's final game in Philly, theatlantic.com brilliantly captured the moral conundrum he presents. It spoke of Vick donating his time and money to the Humane Society and demonstrating contrition for his crimes.

It offered this, too: “There are plenty who think Vick's soul is rotten and (his contrition is) a con job, the desperate posturing of a sociopath willing to do or say anything to survive and generate income. It comes down to whether you're inclined see the good or bad in people.”

That, and whether you're inclined to accept the reality of professional sports. If you never signed that deal with the devil, good for you.

I'll assume you stopped watching a long time ago.

Joe Starkey co-hosts a show 2 to 6 p.m. weekdays on 93.7 FM. Reach him at jraystarkey@gmail.com.

Bashing of Vick by Steelers fans height of hypocrisy

Chris Mueller Special to The Times

http://www.timesonline.com/sports/

August 25, 2015

(Getty Images)

Michael Vick, as most everyone knows by now, signed with the Steelers to back up Ben Roethlisberger. To say that he was reviled before he put ink to paper to commit his services to the team would be a massive understatement.

A check of twitter Tuesday morning, after news broke that Vick was visiting the Steelers, would have yielded an incendiary mix of fans swearing off watching the team for good, complaining about the franchise’s lost integrity, or going the extra mile and pledging their allegiance to all AFC North teams except Pittsburgh.

Viewed outside the maelstrom that surrounded his signing, Michael Vick is nothing more than a high-profile insurance policy, one whose presence on this roster was made necessary by Bruce Gradkowski’s hand surgery, and Landry Jones’ being Landry Jones.

But people don’t by and large care about the angle of this story that concerns Michael Vick, the football player. The faithful are far more concerned with Michael Vick, the convicted felon. Michael Vick, the dogfighter. Michael Vick, the symbol of all that is irredeemable and evil in this world.

That last one is made up, obviously, but it is a pretty accurate statement on how a vocal segment of the population views him.

It’s a curious thing, really. Killing and torturing innocent, trusting, unconditionally loving dogs is an awful, evil thing to do, but Vick did his time. He was incarcerated and bankrupted, then released after a year and a half behind bars and has since stayed mostly out of the limelight. He has spoken repeatedly on behalf of the Humane Society, and has, by all accounts, talked the talk and walked the walk.

Michael Vick, to all appearances, is proof that sometimes, the system works. Criminals are rehabilitated. They accept their wrongdoing and make an effort to change for the better. Certainly Vick’s situation is different than most; his skill set dictated that he would get another shot in the league, and his marketability and earning potential (both for himself and others) dictated that a team of PR professionals would help him say and do all the right things in public.

That doesn’t seem to matter to folks that would rather see him wither and fade away, and be given no opportunity to make a living he has every right to pursue. Some of these same fans, the ones who will never watch the Steelers again because of the guy that will wear a baseball cap and hold a clipboard, are all too happy to cheer for James Harrison, who was charged with slapping his girlfriend across the face during a dispute in March 2008. The charge later was dropped.

Some of the same people questioning everything the Rooney family purports to stand for because of Vick’s presence don’t feel the least bit squeamish, don’t have the slightest compunction about rooting on Ben Roethlisberger, whose behavior in a bar in Georgia five years ago was drunken and boorish at best, and possibly worse — though no one will ever know for sure.

This is the message being sent by that crowd, no matter how they try to spin it: Violence against a woman is within the limits of what we will tolerate from our star athletes. An alleged incident of sexual violence, at the very least loutish behavior involving a woman is OK. It will be accepted, and forgotten about as soon as it is convenient to.

Or maybe the real message here is that Michael Vick doesn’t figure to play much, if at all, for the Steelers, and fans know that. They know that Vick is a backup to one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and if all goes well, he won’t go near the field. Perhaps they feel a little bit bolder about taking a strong moral stand because they know they won’t have to face the internal conflict of cheering for Vick, because he likely won’t have any affect on the team’s fortunes this year.

That’s really the bottom line in all of this. Just as the “Steeler Way” is a bogus notion where the front office is concerned, so too is it a laughable, antiquated concept when it comes to fans. The Steelers will keep almost any player regardless of the trouble they get in, so long as the belief exists that said player can help the team. A majority of fans will root for any player, no matter what the transgression, so long as that player remains a key contributor.

There is no “Steeler Way”. The outcry against Michael Vick from some corners of the fan base isn’t a principled moral stand. It’s an emotional reaction against someone who did something extremely unpleasant, but more importantly, likely won’t be a factor for this year’s team.

If the signing of Michael Vick was what caused you to draw a line in the sand and end your relationship with the Steelers, I have but one question.

What took you so long?

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Improved curveball key to Morton's success

Posted: Monday, August 24, 2015 7:30 pm

By John Perrotto Times MLB Correspondent

http://www.timesonline.com/sports/

Keith Srakocic/The Associated Press

Charlie Morton is no longer a one-pitch pitcher.

And that is a good thing for the Pirates, who are counting on the 31-year-old right-hander more than ever. They need a reliable third starter to join right-hander Gerrit Cole and left-hander Francisco Liriano at the top of the rotation while veteran righty A.J. Burnett works his way back from a strained flexor tendon in his elbow.

“We’re watching Charlie develop into more of a complete pitcher instead of a pitcher with a good sinkerball,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.

Morton, who will start Tuesday night against the Marlins at Miami, showed that in his previous outing last Thursday against the Giants when he worked 6 2/3 strong innings and combined with a relievers Jared Hughes and Tony Watson on a six-hit shutout.

Morton flummoxed the Giants with his curveball as he had eight strikeouts and just two walks while scattering four hits. He showed he is indeed more just a sinkerballer in raising his record to 8-4 and lowering his ERA to 4.06 through 16 start.

The curve has become a necessity for Morton to neutralize left-handed hitters.

“It was a pretty good pitch for me last season but I’ve really needed it this year,” he said. “Left-handed hitters have really taken the lower third of the strike zone away from me because they’ve been looking for the sinker and having success against it. The curve has given me a pitch to get lefties out.

“It’s been a bit of evolution for me but you always need to evolve as a pitcher, as a person really.”

Hurdle is impressed by Charlie’s Uncle Charlie.

“It has so much tilt and depth on it, and there’s enough fastball there that you can’t sit on the curve with him,” Hurdle said. “It makes it a challenge to square him up.”

Pirates second baseman Neil Walker said it is a joy to stand behind Morton when he pitches the way he did against the Giants as well as in his previous start Aug. 15 at New York when he took a shutout into the seventh inning against the Mets before giving up a pair of home runs.

“It’s fun to play when he’s going well because he gets a lot of ground balls that lead to a lot of quick innings and you get on and off the field in a hurry,” Walker said. “When he’s on, he is as good as anyone.”

Happ pitches 6 innings to help Pirates beat Marlins 5-2

By Steven Wine
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/pit/
August 24, 2015

Happ pitches 6 innings to help Pirates beat Marlins 5-2

Pittsburgh Pirates' J.A. Happ delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

MIAMI (AP) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates got hit harder in the batter's box than J.A. Happ did on the mound.

Pitching Details

Win

J.A. Happ

2-1
Loss

Tom Koehler

8-12
Save

Mark Melancon

SV: 40

While Happ threw six scoreless innings, the Pirates were fortunate to avoid injury against several wild relievers as they beat the Miami Marlins 5-2 on Monday night.

Erik Cordier was ejected when he plunked Sean Rodriguez - the only batter he faced - in the left hand.Starling Marte was hit in the arm an inning earlier, and Francisco Cervelli twice ducked out of the way of high inside pitches.

''It concerned the umpires enough to throw a guy out,'' Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. ''Anytime anything's hot and high, whether it's missed command - it does happen, but there's a point in time when it just doesn't look right.

''It's a hard position to judge intent. We're just going to move on.''

Marlins manager Dan Jennings argued with plate umpire Jeff Kellogg about Cordier's ejection while Rodriguez grinned as he walked to first base.

''The umpire did what he felt he had to do to control the game, but it was certainly no intent in that,'' Jennings said.

Marte and Rodriguez both scored after being hit.

''It wasn't bad intentions,'' teammate Gregory Polanco said in Spanish. ''But it bothered us a little bit because it wasn't one. It was three, four, five, six - all the pitches inside.''

Polanco had a season-high four hits and drove in a run. Andrew McCutchen hit a two-out, two-run double in the third, and Neil Walker contributed a sacrifice fly in the seventh.

The Pirates won for the sixth time in seven games to climb a season-high 27 games above .500. They have won five consecutive road games since Aug. 13, and they're 4-0 this year against Miami.

Happ improved to 2-1 in four starts since being acquired by the Pirates. He has been with his new teammates such a brief time he still refers to them in the third person.

''They're having a lot of fun, playing good baseball and doing a lot of little things right,'' Happ said. ''It's awful fun to watch.''

Happ's teammates enjoyed watching him, too. He gave up four hits and a walk, and even major league batting leader Dee Gordon was off balance, going 0 for 3 vs. the left-hander.

Happ has allowed one earned run in his past 17 1-3 innings.

''The curveball-slider combination played for him extremely well tonight,'' Hurdle said. ''He threw all four pitches extremely well - a real solid performance.''

The Marlins' scoreless streak reached 21 consecutive innings before they scored in the seventh against Jared Hughes on J.T. Realmuto's RBI groundout.

Tom Koehler (8-12) allowed two runs in six innings. He lost his sixth start in a row, and against the Pirates he fell to 0-4 in four career starts.

Mark Melancon came on with two on and none out in the ninth and faced only two batters to earn his 40th save, most in the majors.

Pittsburgh won despite going 3 for 17 with runners in scoring position.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Pirates: SS Jordy Mercer made his first start since landing on the DL on July 19 due to a sprained left knee. He went 1 for 4. ... RHP A.J. Burnett, who hasn't pitched since July 30 due to a strained flexor tendon in his right elbow, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday. ''If he proves he's healthy, (his return) could come sooner rather than later,'' Hurdle said. ''There is an intense 'want to,' and he is being smart and listening to the right guys on the 'how to.'''

Marlins: LF Christian Yelich (bruised right knee) targeted Tuesday to return from the DL. On Monday, Yelich shagged fly balls for the first time since his injury.

UP NEXT

In the second of a four-game series at the Marlins, Pittsburgh will start RHP Charlie Morton (8-4. 4.06 ERA). The Pirates have won each of the past five games Morton has started. The Marlins will go with LHP Brad Hand, whose 7-20 career record as a starter is the worst among active pitchers, according to STATS. He's 3-2 this year.

Black and Gold

Friday, August 28, 2015

Cole gets 15th win, Pirates top Marlins 2-1

Pitching Details

Thursday, August 27, 2015

McCutchen's 4 RBIs lead Pirates to 7-2 win

Pitching Details

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Fans should be used to rooting for players with baggage

Bashing of Vick by Steelers fans height of hypocrisy

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Improved curveball key to Morton's success

Happ pitches 6 innings to help Pirates beat Marlins 5-2

Pitching Details

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Black and Gold

Friday, August 28, 2015

Cole gets 15th win, Pirates top Marlins 2-1

Pitching Details

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Thursday, August 27, 2015

McCutchen's 4 RBIs lead Pirates to 7-2 win

Pitching Details

Related Stories

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Fans should be used to rooting for players with baggage

Bashing of Vick by Steelers fans height of hypocrisy

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Improved curveball key to Morton's success

Happ pitches 6 innings to help Pirates beat Marlins 5-2

Pitching Details

Related Stories

Labels

My Shelfari Bookshelf

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About Me