Blogs

CINCINNATI — Daniel McCutchen turned in a solid major league debut today, especially considering he gave up a home run to the first batter he faced.
“He settled in and threw the ball really well after that,” manager John Russell said. “He was aggressive. His changeup really worked well for him. His fastball command was really [...]

CINCINNATI – Right-hander John Meloan was designated for assignment to make room for Daniel McCutchen on the 40-man roster. Meloan was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay’s organization on Aug. 12 and sent to Triple-A Indianapolis. Meloan is 0-0 with a 4.57 ERA in 41 games this season.
• Jeff Karstens (lower back) tossed two hitless [...]

CINCINNATI – The gates are open at Great American Graveyard … er, Ballpark. From my perch in the second row of the press box, I can spot exactly 22 fans in the seats. Maybe they’re all waiting for the nightcap of today’s doubleheader.
• Lineups for this afternoon’s game:
PIRATES (53-75) – 1. Andrew McCutchen cf, 2. [...]

MILWAUKEE – Some postgame odds and ends from a lost weekend at Miller Park:
• Brad Lincoln will replace Daniel McCutchen on the Team USA roster for the World Cup. Lincoln, two years removed from Tommy John surgery, went a combined 7-7 with a 3.37 ERA this year for Triple-A Indianapolis and Double-A Altoona. He was [...]

MILWAUKEE – Right-hander Daniel McCutchen will make his major league debut Monday in the first game of a day-night doubleheader against the Reds.
The callup means McCutchen will withdraw from Team USA’s roster for the World Cup. “We wouldn’t call him up just to make one start,” manager John Russell said Sunday. “We want him to [...]

MILWAUKEE – GM Neal Huntington this afternoon shed a little – but only a little – light on Ryan Doumit’s benching midway through last night’s game. Huntington indicated he has not taken an active role in the situation. “It’s something that (manager John Russell) and Ryan are handling,” Huntington said. “I’m completely supportive of what [...]

MILWAUKEE — Catcher Ryan Doumit is not in the lineup tonight against the Brewers. Doumit was benched last night in the fifth inning after a squabble in the dugout with manager John Russell.
After the game, no one commented publicly about the situation. “It’s between Ryan and myself,” is all Russell had to say. Perhaps someone [...]

MILWAUKEE — Catcher Ryan Doumit was benched by manager John Russell in the fifth inning of Friday’s 8-6 loss against the Brewers.
Doumit was replaced by Jason Jaramillo to start the bottom of the fifth inning.
“It’s between Ryan and myself,” Russell said tersely. “He’s not hurt.”
Russell refused to say whether Doumit will play tonight. Doumit declined [...]

MILWAUKEE — In case you missed it, Pedro Alvarez went out with a bang Thursday night in what likely was his final game at Blair County Ballpark in Altoona. He homered twice to lead Double-A Altoona past Trenton, 9-4.
The Curve play this weekend at Erie. Monday, Alvarez will join Team USA for the World Cup [...]

Garrett Jones blasted a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth and the Pirates beat the Phillies, 3-2, Thursday night at PNC Park.
The Pirates won for only the third time in 60 games this year when trailing after seven innings.
The Pirates had managed nothing other than Andrew McCutchen’s leadoff homer against Phillies [...]