Blogs

Brian Giles’ departure from Pittsburgh wound up putting both Jason Bay (directly) and Xavier Nady (indirectly) onto the Pirates’ roster. In late August 2003, Giles was shipped to the San Diego Padres for Bay, Oliver Perez and Cory Stewart. On deadline day in 2006, Perez was dealt to the New York Mets for Nady. “It [...]

Steve Pearce gets first crack at the right field job. Pearce, called up from Triple-A Indianapolis this afternoon, is in the lineup batting sixth for tonight’s game against the San Diego Padres. Pearce was not stunned by his recall. He had heard the trade rumors, which came to fruition Friday when the Pirates sent Xavier [...]

Today is my day off, and I was playing “Rock Band” on the Wii with my wife and daughter when my cell phone rang. I did not hear it, because we were jamming to “Rockaway Beach” by the Ramones. But when my land line began ringing, along with every other phone in the house, I [...]

One day after the Pirates got home runs from each of their starting outfielders in the same game for only the second time in the past five years, Jason Bay, Nate McLouth and Xavier Nady take their swings against Padres right-hander Cha Seung Baek (2-4, 4.66). Zach Duke (4-7, 4.92), winless in his past seven [...]

Shortstop Jack Wilson was given the day off for tonight’s opener against the Padres at 7:05 p.m. at PNC Park. Luis Rivas will start in Wilson’s place and bat ninth. It is Rivas’ first start at shortstop since June 1. Starting lineups Padres: Jody Gerut CF, Edgar Gonzalez 2B, Brian Giles RF, Adrian Gonzalez 1B, [...]

HOUSTON — Left-hander Paul Maholm is fine, despite taking two hard line drives off his body during last night’s game against the Astros. “I got one in the leg and one in the arm,” Maholm said. “We were playing target practice.” During his pregame warmup in the bullpen, Maholm’s pitches had plenty of life … [...]

HOUSTON — For just the second time in the past eight games, the Pirates are going with the same lineup on consecutive days. Pirates: McLouth CF, Sanchez 2B, Doumit C, Bay LF, Nady RF, LaRoche 1B, J. Bautista 3B, Maholm P, Wilson SS. Astros: Matsui 2B, Bourn CF, Berkman 1B, Lee LF, Tejada SS, Pence [...]

HOUSTON — According to manager John Russell, minor knee pain kept Freddy Sanchez out of the lineup yesterday. Sanchez’s knee feels fine today, and he is back in there for tonight’s game against the Houston Astros: Pirates — McLouth CF, Sanchez 2B, Doumit C, Bay LF, Nady RF, LaRoche 1B, J. Bautista 3B, Van Benschoten [...]

DENVER — With the offense mired in a three-game funk, Pirates manager John Russell shook up the top of the lineup for today’s game against the Rockies: Pirates — Rivas 2B, Mientkiewicz 3B, McLouth CF, Bay LF, Nady RF, LaRoche 1B, Chavez C, Duke LHP, Wilson SS Rockies — Taveras CF, Baker 2B, Holliday LF, [...]

DENVER — I asked Doug Mientkiewicz this afternoon if he had a few minutes to chat about his Sydney experience. “Who’s Sydney? What do you mean?” replied Mientkiewicz, his eyes wide. No need for alarm, Doug. I was referring to the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. That year, Mientkiewicz won a gold medal with [...]