Blogs

MILWAUKEE — Brad Lincoln and Daniel Moskos combined to pitch eight strong innings Thursday for Class A Lynchburg. Lincoln started and allowed one run on three hits and struck out seven in six innings. Moskos gave up two hits and whiffed three in two innings. Lincoln, the first-round draft pick in 2006, continues to rebound [...]

MILWAUKEE — Optioning reliever Romulo Sanchez cleared a roster spot for Matt Capps. Today, the Pirates made room to stick Tom Gorzelanny back into their starting rotation by sending T.J Beam back to Triple-A Indianapolis. Jason Davis will move back into the bullpen for the rest of the season. Ryan Doumit is feeling much better [...]

MILWAUKEE — The Pirates made just one roster move after tonight’s 10-4 loss against the Brewers. Right-handed reliever Romulo Sanchez was optioned back to Triple-A Indianapolis. There was a long, closed-door meeting in manager John Russell’s office after tonight’s game. When the door opened, director of baseball operations Bryan Minniti — who acts as GM [...]

MILWAUKEE – Outfielder Steve Pearce was optioned back to Triple-A Indianapolis this afternoon to clear roster space for Doug Mientkiewicz. Pearce will return Sept. 1, when rosters are permitted to expand. Nyjer Morgan could have been a candidate to go back to Indy, but Nate McLouth still is out with a nasty stomach ailment. Morgan [...]

MILWAUKEE – When I arrived at the airport gate this morning in Pittsburgh, I was not surprised to see Doug Mientkiewicz and Matt Capps sitting there waiting for the same flight. Both will rejoin the Pirates for a three-game series against the Brewers. Mientkiewicz has been on the bereavement list to be with his wife, [...]

Pirates (57-69) vs. Cardinals (70-58) Left fielder Brandon Moss is back in the lineup against the Cardinals tonight after sustaining a sprained ankle in Sunday’s loss to the New York Mets. The Pirates try to sweep the two-game series when Jason Davis (1-2, 1.80 ERA) takes the mound against Todd Wellemeyer (10-4, 3.79) at 8:15 [...]

ALTOONA — Jose Tabata wound up going 2 for 4 with a run scored last night for Double-A Altoona. Judging by the one-game snapshot, he appears to have a nice batting stroke and good speed. “I don’t think his swing is perfect right now,” Curve manager Tim Leiper said. “But he’s able to take inside [...]

ST. LOUIS — Pirates starter Ian Snell used some advance scouting to devise a strategy against the Cardinals on Tuesday. Snell said he observed Brewers ace C.C. Sabathia against the Houston Astros on Monday night. Every pitch. Even in a cab, where he followed the game on his hand-held. “I watched the whole game,” he [...]

ALTOONA — I’m getting a couple of “off” days — that is, working but not covering the Pirates, per se — so Johnny Grupp will put aside his thoroughbred notes and work the two-game set in St. Louis. Tonight, I’m at Blair County Ballpark, watching the home debut of Jose Tabata with Double-A Altoona. Tabata [...]

Center fielder Nate McLouth (illness) is out of the starting lineup for the Pirates tonight against the St. Louis Cardinals at 8:15 p.m. at Busch Stadium. Nyjer Morgan, recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis today, will get the start in center field. Second baseman Freddy Sanchez and left fielder Brandon Moss (ankle) also will not start as [...]