CINCINNATI — As I drove down here Sunday, I listed to the Rays-Pirates game on the trusty XM radio. When Nate McLouth was taken out of the game in the seventh inning, I wondered if the Pirates would have to deal with yet another disabling injury to a key player.
The initial news was [...]
McLouth in doubt
Pitching and defense
CHICAGO — Not a lot of defensive gems by the Pirates in the first two games of this series against the White Sox.
Tuesday, left fielder Jason Michaels took a few steps in on Jermaine Dye’s liner. The ball went over Michaels’ head for a two-run double. Last night, second baseman Luis Rivas called [...]
Snell’s struggles
CHICAGO — I did not see Ian Snell’s most recent victory, when he gave up a run in six innings June 11 against Washington. I was off that day, and only heard bits of the game on my XM radio. So I’ll have to take the word of folks who were at PNC Park, and [...]
Bring on Baltimore!
BALTIMORE — Why did it take so long for the Pirates to play an interleague series here?
Interleague play began in 1997, and the Orioles played a three-game set in Pittsburgh in 2005. But until this weekend, the Pirates had not been to Charm City for a “real” game — there was a one-game [...]
Bucs and birds
BALTIMORE — I lived in Maryland for nearly seven years after graduating college, so I can tell you for certain there are a lot of former Pittsburghers down here.
There’s a pretty heavy black-and-gold presence here at tonight’s interleague game against the Orioles. It’s the first meaningful game the Pirates have played in Baltimore [...]
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Name: Rob, aka "Rob"
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Web Site: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/columnists/biertempfel/
Bio: Rob Biertempfel is the Pirates beat writer. He can be reached at rbiertempfel@tribweb.com or 412-320-7811. Professional background: Biertempfel is beginning his first season as the Pirates beat writer. He joined the Trib in 1994 and covered Division I college football – Penn State/Big Ten for 11 seasons and Pitt/Big East for one season. He has helped with the Trib’s coverage of the Pirates since ’94. Personal background: Biertempfel is a native of Shaler Township and a Penn State graduate. He’s been a baseball fan for as long as he can remember. Unfortunately, his two kids have never experienced a winning season with the Pirates and are rapidly becoming bigger hockey fans than baseball fans.
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