Pirates Bring Back Bastardo To Help Bullpen

The Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets completed a dealt that brough back relief pitcher Antonio Bastardo to the Pirates and sent reliever Jonathan Niese back to the Mets. Bastardo pitched for the Pirates out of the bullpen last season helping them reach the wild card game for the third year in a row.

The Pittsburgh Pirates were put right in the middle of the pack going into today's trade deadline. They currently sit four games out of the second National League wild card race and 9.5 games back of the Chicago Cubs for first place in the NL Central. So, the Pirates had to plan for the future, but didn't want to throw away the 2016 season in the process. As a result, we saw a lot of low profile moves that help the team both now and in the long run.

In their second deal of the afternoon, the team sent left-hander Jon Niese back to the New York Mets in exchange for another familiar face as they got left-hander Antonio Bastardo. With the Pirates having lost their closer Mark Melancon in a deal to the Washington Nationals, the Pirates needed some more proven bullpen help to finish this season. Bastardo pitched for Pittsburgh last season and was effective out of the bullpen.

This season for the Mets, Bastardo is 0-0 with a 4.74 ERA collecting 46 strikeouts in 43.2 innings of work out of the bullpen. Last season for the Pirates, Bastardo went 4-1 with a 2.98 ERA and was very effective striking out 64 in 57.1 innings worked. The move gives the Pirates now three left handed options out of their bullpen in Bastardo, closer Tony Watson, and newly acquired reliever Felipe Rivero.

Bastardo is very good at striking out batters and has been throughout his major league career. He has a K/9 ratio of 9.48 and this season is averaging to strike out 1.06 batters every inning. This is something the Pirates desperately need out of the bullpen. Currently, the only guy in the bullpen with more strikeouts then innings pitched is set-up man Neftali Feliz who has 47 in 40.0 innings of work. Now you throw Bastardo into the mix and it gives you another reliever with strikeout ability to come into a big spot and get that punch out when it is needed.

Another plus with Bastardo is that he is signed through the 2017 season, so he will be back next year to help anchor this Pirates bullpen. With the trade of Melancon, the Pirates will be looking for a full-time closer for 2017 and Bastardo could step-in and bring some closing experience to the Pirates as he was the closer for the Philledelphia Phillies back in 2011 when he converted eight of nine save chances and could offer some competition for Tony Watson.

In return, the New York Mets reacquire left-hander Jon Niese for their bullpen. For the Pirates on the year, Niese had a record of 8-6 with a 4.91 ERA in 110 innings of work between the starting rotation and the bullpen. The Pirates acquired Niese from the New York Mets last off-season in a trade that sent Neil Walker to the New York Mets.

Niese had started the year in the Pirates rotation and got off to a good start leading the Pirates in wins at one point with a record of 5-2 on the season, but his ERA was a problem as it sat at 5.08. This consistently high ERA would later effect him and caused him to have a very bad month of June in which he went 1-4 with a 6.21 ERA,

This lead to a demotion to the Pirates bullpen, and Niese accepted the demotion and actually has been pretty good in that role for the Pirates. In five games out of the bullpen, Niese had a record of 1-0 and a 2.25 ERA in eight innings pitched. He would be the pitcher who picked up the win in the 18 inning game against the Washington Nationals when he threw three scoreless innings allowing just three hits in the game.

Bastardo should help bolster this already good Pirates bullpen as the season moves on. The key to this deal for me is that the Pirates have a proven, reliable arm in the bullpen next season that can compliment guys like Tony Watson and A.J. Schugel. One thing that has remained consistent over the years for the Pirates is the quality of their bullpen. With the addition of Bastardo, that trend looks to continue here in 2016 and through 2017.

Homers Kill Niese As Pirates Fall to Reds

The Cincinnati Reds hit three solo home runs off Pittsburgh Pirates starter Jon Niese as they defeat Pittsburgh 3-2. The Pirates couldnt get anything going against starter Dan Straily collecting only four hits in his six innings of work.

On a cold rainy May night, the Cincinnati Reds were able to hit the ball out of the ball park on their way to defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates by the score of 3-2. All three of Cincinnati's runs came via the long ball, and the Pirates offense could not retaliate as they had trouble all night against Reds starter Dan Straily.

Straily kept his team in the game all night long pitching 6.0 innings giving up two runs on four hits while walking three and striking out two. Straily only allowed two hits in the first five innings of the game and, for the most part, was in complete control of this Pirates offense. The Reds have been dealing with injury problems this season as all five of their projected starters are currently on the disabled list. However, their replacement starters have been holding their own for the team this season.

Jon Niese started the game for the Pirates and pitched well, but received no run support on the night and in turn picked up his second loss of the season. In total, he went 6.2 innings giving up three runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out four batters. Niese was able to get out of jams when he needed to, but couldn't avoid the home run ball as that was his downfall on this night.

The scoring started off right away for the Reds as Zack Cozart took the third pitch of the ball game and sneaked it over the left field wall to give the Reds an early 1-0 lead over the Pirates. The next two batters reached as Billy Hamilton singled and Joey Votto was hit by a pitch to help the Reds set up shop. Fortunately for the Pirates, Brandon Phillips would hit into a big double play and Eugenio Suarez struck out to end the inning.

Then, both starters got into a groove pitching scoreless innings all the way to the sixth inning. The two starters combined to allow only three hits from the second to the fifth inning. Neither offense could get into a groove and when someone did get on base, they were quickly erased as nobody could get the clutch hit.

The Pirates offense finally got on the board in the top of the sixth inning after singles by Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte and a walk to Gregory Polanco loaded the bases for the Pirates with nobody out. Then Francisco Cervelli tied the game at one with a sacrifice fly to center to score McCutchen. Jung Ho Kang followed that up with an RBI ground out that gave the Pirates their first lead of the day as they lead 2-1.

The Reds wasted no time getting that run back as in the bottom of the sixth, after a Hamilton line out, Joey Votto hit his fifth home run of the season to tie the game at two. Niese got the ball where he wanted on the inside corner, but Votto got his hands inside and just got the ball over the left field wall to tie the game.

Jon Niese was trying to get through seven innings of work and he almost did as he got the first two outs pretty quickly as Adam Duvall grounded out and Tyler Holt struck out. Then, Tucker Barnhart hit a deep fly ball to left that just inched its way over the left field wall to give the Reds a 3-2 lead. The home run was reviewed and stood on the field to confirm the 3-2 lead.

Ryan Vogelsong was calle upon to finish the inning and after allowing a pinch hit single by Jordan Pacheco he got Cozart to line out to end the inning. Vogelsong pitched very well out of the bullpen going 1.1 innings giving up two hits while walking one batter. Vogelsong has been a very effective pitcher for the Pirates allowing two earned runs or less in every one of his outings this year including a spot start. He pitched well tonight keeping the Pirates in the game and giving them a chance to win.

It looked like the Pirates would tie the game in the top of the ninth as Kang got the inning started off with a lead-off double. However, Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer each grounded out and David Freese flew out to center field to end the game.The loss was the Pirates third straight loss at Great American Ball Park following a series early in the year where they lost two out of three to the Reds.

The Reds and Pirates will play game two of this three game series tomorrow at 7:10 p.m. at Great American Ball Park. For the Reds, right hander Alfredo Simon (1-3 9.86). Last time out, Simon pitched seven innings giving up three runs while collecting his first win of the season. The Pirates will counter with right hander Juan Nicasio (3-3 3.16). Nicasio was plagued by bad defense his last time out as he went 4.1 innings allowing four runs, one earned, while walking three and striking out three. The Pirates will look to get back on the right track as they currently sit eight games back of the first place Cubs.

Pittsburgh Pirates Vs. Chicago Cubs May 3 2016

Jon Niese and the Pittsburgh Pirates get ready to face off against Jake Arrieta and the Chicago Cubs in the second of a three game series at PNC Park

Pirates Outlast Rockies in 12 Inning Victory

The Pittsburgh Pirates were able to outlast the Colorado Rockies last night in 12 innings to pick up a 9-8 victory. Jordy Mercer drove in the game winning run with an RBI double to clinch the victory for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Coors Field in Colorado is known to host many offensive showdowns. Well, in the last two games of this four game series that has held very true. Last night it took 12 innings to find a winner, but in the end, Jordy Mercer drove in the game winning run with a two-out RBI double to give the Pirates a 9-8 victory. With the win, the Pirates have now taken the first three games of this four game series.


Jon Niese started the game for Pittsburgh and pitched a lot better than what his final line says. In total he pitched 5.0 innings giving up five runs on 10 hits while walking two and striking out five. However, he cruised through the first three innings of his start and was able to locate the ball effectively.


Niese has been arguably the most consistent pitcher in the Pirates rotation. Coming over in the trade that sent Neil Walker to the New York Mets, Niese has gone out in every start and left the Pirates with a good chance to win the baseball game. He has been getting good offensive support as well as the team scored him seven runs tonight and eight runs his last time out. Don't let the high ERA fool you, Niese has had a very good start to the 2016 season.


The Pirates started the scoring in the top of the second after singles by Francisco Cervelli and Josh Harrison gave the Pirates first and third with only one out. Then Mercer, the man who ended the scoring, drove the in the first run of the ball game on a fielder's choice play that got Harrison thrown out at second and allowed Cervelli to score giving the Pirates a 1-0 lead. The Rockies would challenge the slide at second base, but it proved unsuccessful as the run still counted.


The Pirates would add to their lead in the top of the third when they put a three spot up on the Rockies. The inning started on singles by John Jaso and Andrew McCutchen to set the Pirates up with runners at first and third with no outs. Then David Freese singled to score Jaso giving the Pirates a 2-0 lead. The Pirates would add two more in the inning on a Gregory Polanco sacrifice fly and a Harrison RBI single to give the Pirates a 4-0 lead.


In the top of the fourth, the Pirates thought they has put the game out of reach for good. A single by Niese followed by a popout and a strikeout gave the Pirates a runner at first with two outs. Then Freese drove in his second run of the ball game with a double that scored Niese and gave the Pirates a 5-0 lead. Starling Marte hit an infield single to give the Pirates first and third with two outs before Francisco Cervelli hit a two-RBI double to give the Pirates a 7-0 lead.


Many people thought the game was out of reach, but if we learned anything in this series no lead is safe in Colorado. The Rockies put together a big fourth inning against Niese putting up a four spot. Niese was bitten by the home run bug as both Trevor Story and Nolan Arenado hit home runs to cut the deficit to 7-2. Then Mark Reynolds doubled and Ryan Raburn tripled on a ball that almost left the yard to cut the lead to 7-3. An RBI single by DJ LeMahieu finished the scoring for the Rockies and left the score at 7-4 Pirates.


Niese had a painless bottom of the fifth, but things started getting to him again in the sixth. He allowed three straight singles to start the inning by Raburn, Nick Hundley, and LeMahieu to load the bases with one out. At this point, manager Clint Hurdle pulled Niese in favor of right handed pitcher Ryan Vogelsong.


Vogelsong came in and worked masterfully only allowing one run in the inning. Mercer made a very heads-up play throwing out Hundley at third base on a ground ball that was ticketed for centerfield. However, Raburn scored on the play to cut the deficit to 7-5. Vogelsong finished the inning by getting Gerrardo Parra to line out and Story to strikeout.


The work by Vogelsong in that sixth inning saved the game for the Pirates. If he had come in and let all of those runners score, we would be talking about a Pirates loss rather than a Pirates win. Vogelsong has been a very valuable piece for the Pirates this season stepping up and performing in whatever situation the Pirates ask him to.


The Pirates added another run on a Polanco solo home run in the top of the seventh to give the Pirates an 8-5 lead. Then the unusual happened as both Neftali Feliz and Tony Watson struggled on the evening. Feliz gave up a two-run home run to Mark Reynolds to cut the lead to 8-7 in the bottom of the seventh. Watson came into relieve Feliz in the seventh and was able to get out of it.


However, Watson ran into his own problems in the eighth inning as he gave up the game tying home run to Parra and the game was all tied up at eight. Watson did work his way out of that eighth inning by striking out Arenado to end the inning.


In extra innings Kyle Lobstein came in and did what he has done all season and was an effective long relief man for the Pirates. He threw 3.0 innings giving up no runs on three hits and striking out two. Lobstein has also been a great pickup for the Pirates and has proved very effective out of the bullpen this season.


The final run was scored by the Pirates in the top of the twelfth inning. A Polanco walk set up the Pirates with a runner on second and two outs. The Mercer stepped up and cracked a ball into the right field gap for the game winning RBI double giving the Pirates a 9-8 lead. Mark Melancon came in and collected his fifth save of the year securing the victory for the Pirates.


The win gives the Pirates the chance to sweep the series this afternoon as they play game four of the four game series. The Rockies will send Tyler Chatwood (2-2 3.47) to the mound. Last time out, Chatwood struggled against the Los Angeles Dodgers giving up three runs in just 4.0 innings of work. The Pirates will counter with former Rockie Juan Nicasio (2-2 4.50). Last time out Nicasio pitched well but did not go deep giving up two runs in 5.0 innings of work. First pitch for this afternoons game is scheduled for 3:10 p.m.

Pittsburgh Pirates Week in Review: Rough Stretch Drops Pirates But Offense Still Strong

The Pittsburgh Pirates went through a tough week of baseball finishing with a record of 3-4. The pitching struggled, especially early in the week, and it caused for some blow out games. However, the offense was still strong and was able to score runs throughout the week.

The Pittsburgh Pirates hit a little bit of a rough patch this week going 3-4 against the Detroit Tigers and the Milwaukee Brewers respectively. Pitching was a problem for the Pirates in Detroit and it effected the Pirates greatly on the road. However, when the Pirates returned to PNC Park, the pitching improved greatly and helped the Pirates in a big way in the last two games against the Brewers.

One thing has remained consistent through this rough stretch, however, as the offense has continued its tear that it has been on to start the season. Some players got on a roll like Andrew McCutchen and Matt Joyce and others continued the success they had in the first week like Francisco Cervelli. All-in-all this Pirates offense is one of the best in the league and continues to score runs on a consistent basis.

The first series of the week was a home-and-home series with the Detroit Tigers. After the offense struggled to score runs against the Cincinnati Reds, the bats broke out for seven runs and 17 hits to defeat the Tigers in game one. However, things went down hill from their as the Pirates dropped the last three games to the Tigers by scores of 8-2, 7-3, and 7-4.

Aside from Jon Niese's start in game one, the pitching was pretty bad in this series both for the starting pitchers and the bullpen. Juan Nicasio struggled mightily giving up four runs in just 3.0 innings of work and Arquimedes Caminero went through a stretch where he gave up four runs in 1.2 innings pitched in the series.

While the offense was scoring plenty of runs to stay in the ballgame, the fact that the pitching struggled caused the series to go for not. Ryan Vogelsong and Niese turned in the two good starts of the series with Niese giving up four runs, three earned, in six innings while Vogelsong gave up one run in 5.0 innings of work.

The question of who was going to be the Pirates designated hitter in the series was answered when Matt Joyce stepped up and had a very good series hitting .285 from the DH spot and providing some quality at-bats for the Bucs. The biggest problem offensively in the Tigers series for the Pirates was men left on base. In total for the four game series, the Pirates left 64 men on base. They were getting a lot of hits, but were not able to drive in the big runs when they needed to.

The first game of the Brewers series looked exactly like the last three games of the Tigers series. Starting pitcher Jeff Locke struggled giving up three runs, two earned in 4.2 innings pitched. The bullpen did not fair much better giving up two home runs, five runs in total, in the Pirates loss. The only spark of offense in that game was a three-run pinch-hit home run by Matt Joyce.

However, the second two games of the series were a different story as the bats broke out and pretty handedly beat the Brewers by scores of 5-0 and 9-3. Niese turned in the best start of any Pirates pitcher this season in the first game throwing seven shut out innings and Nicasio followed that up with a solid 6.0 inning outing today giving up three runs. The bullpen bounced back as well giving up no runs in five innings of work.

Caminero also had a bounce back in today's game giving up no runs in 1.2 innings of work. Caminero has had consistency issues throughout his time with the Pirates and this week we saw both the good and the bad of Caminero. When he is on he can be a force to be reckoned with, but when he is off it can be a long day for both Caminero and the Pirates.

The offense also showed just what it could do in the last two games against the Brewers. Andrew McCutchen got going as he hit his first two home runs of the year against the Brewers and in total hit .642 in the series (9 for 14) with two home runs and two RBI. Seeing McCutchen heat up is always a good sign for the Pirates and now couldn't be a better time for McCutchen to start producing.

In total, this week showed us both the good and bad of this Pirates team. When the pitching is good, the Pirates are one of the top teams in all of major league baseball, however, when the pitching is down it is a long game for the Pirates. The offense has the capability to score a lot of runs for this team, they just have to figure out how to do it on a more consistent basis without leaving runners on base.

Play of the Week: Starling Marte robs Domingo Santana of a home run

One of the only bright spots of the Pirates loss to the Brewers Friday night, Starling Marte leaped at the wall to rob Domingo Santana of a home-run. Up to that point in the game, there was nothing to really cheer about. Marte was having a big day at the plate and then this acrobatic plate topped off the night for Marte. Unfortunately the Pirates were not able to pull out the victory as they lost to the Brewers 8-4.

Hitter of the Week: John Jaso (.416 (10 for 24) 2 RBI 3 Walks and 2 Doubles)

John Jaso had a big week for the Pirates batting out of the lead off spot hitting .416 this week including a 3 for 5 day in the final game against the Tigers. Jaso has hit safely in each of his last eight games including five multi-hit efforts. Jaso has played a solid first base and has hit safely in all but one game as a Pirate. While he doesn't have the power that Pedro Alvarez had he has brought much more to the position by getting on base consistently and setting up the rest of the Pirates hitters in the lineup.

Pitcher of the Week: Jon Niese (2-0 2.07 ERA, 8 Strikeouts, 4 Walks)

Jon Niese picked up two wins this week against the Detroit Tigers and the Milwaukee Brewers. He turned in the teams best start of the season against the Brewers throwing 7.0 shut out innings while striking out five batters. He was helped out by great defensive play by the Pirates and he has grown as a Pirates pitcher. If Niese can consistently throw like he did the last two games he will be a strong hold in the Pirates starting rotation. This week he showed that he was capable of being dominant on the mound.

Offense Comes Alive as Pirates Defeat Tigers

After being held to just one run in the last two game against the Cincinnati Reds, the Pittsburgh Pirates offense came alive this afternoon for seven runs as the Pirates defeated the Tigers by a score of 7-4.

The Pittsburgh Pirates offense was on a cold streak the last couple days only scoring one run in each of the last two games. However, the bats came alive today scoring seven runs en-route to defeating the Detroit Tigers by a final score of 7-4. The offense was able to help out starter Jon Niese who started the game out well, but got a little roughed up late in the outing.

In total, Niese threw 6.0 innings giving up four runs, three earned, on five hits while walking one and striking out five. The home run ball was a problem for Niese as he gave up two on the afternoon. However, both were solo shots so the damage was not as great as it could be against the Pirates starter.

One thing Niese has been very good with to start out is his command. He has only walked one batter in each start and currently has a strikeout to walk ratio of 6.00. Last season he had a strikeout to walk ratio of 2.05 meaning for every walk he struck out two batters. If he can continue to show the control he has in the first two starts, it will be a much better 2016 for the left-hander.

The Pirates offense wasted no time providing run support for their starter. The Pirates scored at least one run in each of the first innings of today's game. Before Niese even took the hill he was already staked to a 1-0 lead. The offense jumped on Justin Verlander scoring early and often putting the Pirates out to a big lead.

In the first, Jon Jaso started things off with a double followed by an Andrew McCutchen fly out that moved him to third base. Then designated hitter Matt Joyce singled to left to score the first Pirates run of the ball game. It was questioned coming into the series, as it always is, who would serve as the DH for the Pirates. Joyce got the call today and performed quite nicely for the Bucs.

Joyce finished the day going 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Making the squad as a non-roster invitee, Joyce had not seen a lot of time in the starting lineup before today. He only had six plate appearances and was 0 for 3 with three walks in a pinch hitting role. Today, he got his shot in the starting lineup and contributed early on.

The Pirates continued the scoring in the second as the Bucs loaded the bases with one out after a Gregory Polanco Double, a Josh Harrison single, and a Sean Rodriguez walk. Then, Jordy Mercer stepped up and lined a two-RBI single to center field scoring both Polanco and Harrison and giving the Pirates an early 3-1 lead.

The scoring would continue for the Pirates in the third and fourth innings as two sacrifice flies by Jon Jaso and Francisco Cervelli put the Pirates up 5-1 after four innings of play. The Pirates would finish their scoring in inning number five as an RBI double by Gregory Polanco and an RBI single by Sean Rodriguez made the score 7-1 Pirates after four and a half innings.

The Pirates bats were able to get to Justin Verlander as he threw 111 pitches in 4.1 innings giving up seven runs on ten hits while walking two and striking out two. Verlander struggled in his first start of the year against the Miami Marlins giving up three runs in six innings in that game. At one point, Verlander was considered one of the best arms in the game, however, the last couple seasons he has been hit hard and it has effected him on the mound.

Niese gave up what would be his second run of the day in the bottom of inning number five when he gave up a home run to Nick Castellanos, the second one he had given up in the game to make the score 7-2 Pirates. They would add two more runs in the bottom of the sixth on an error by Mercer that allowed Jose Iglesias to score and an RBI single by Victor Martinez.

That is all of the offense that Detroit could muster on the day, however, as the back end of the Pirates bullpen came in and shut the door once again. Neftali Feliz, Tony Watson, and Mark Melancon each threw scoreless outings in the final three innings of the game to give the Pirates the victory today. The group has combined to give up only one run through the first seven games of the season.

Feliz pitched the seventh and threw a perfect inning striking out one batter. Watson followed with a scoreless inning of his own while walking a batter and striking one out. Finally, Melancon finished the game throwing his 1.0 inning giving up one hit and striking out a batter while collecting his third save of the season.

Overall, the offense combined for 17 hits on the day, which is a season high for the team. The offense wasnt able to cash in on some key situations the last two days, but today they capitalized on the opportunities handed to them. However, they still left 17 runners on base, so this score could have been a lot worse, but the Pirates scored in bunches today and picked up a much needed victory.

The Pirates and Tigers will play game two of their four game home-and-home series tomorrow afternoon at Comerica Park. On the mound for the Tigers will be right hander Anibal Sanchez (1-0 3.60). Last time out Sanchez faced the Miami Marlins throwing 6.0 innings giving up two runs on four hits while walking three and striking out three. The Pirates will oppose with right-hander Juan Nicasio (1-0 1.50). Nicasio is coming off a great Pirates debut in which he went 6.0 innings giving up one run on two hits while striking out seven St. Louis Cardinal batters. First pitch for tomorrow afternoon's game is scheduled for 1:10 p.m.

Mercer Comes Through in 11 As Pirates Beat the Cardinals

Jordy Mercer hit a walk-off single in inning number 11 that scored Gregory Polanco giving the Pirates a 6-5 victory. Jonathan Niese struggled in his Pirates debut giving up five runs (four earned) in five innings of work.

It took 11 innings last night, but in the end, the Pirates came out on top defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 6-5 at PNC Park. Jordy Mercer hit the game winning RBI single in the 11th that scored Gregory Polanco and sent Pirates fans home happy on a chilly Tuesday evening. Jonathan Niese made his Pirates debut and struggled on the mound tonight.

In total, he threw 5.0 innings giving up five runs, four earned, on four hits while walking win one and striking out seven. Niese started out the game strong by throwing two perfect innings retiring the first six men he faced. However, the Cardinals scored two runs in inning number three and everything fell apart from there.

Niese started out the game strong striking out two of the first three batters he faced and only allowed one hit through the first two innings of play. A two-run home run by Jed Gyorko ruined the festivities, however, and Niese could never really recover. Lucky for him though, the Pirates offense came ready to play tonight and scored enough runs to come out on top.

The Pirates started the scoring in the bottom of the second when they plated two runs off of Cardinals starter Michael Wacha. Francisco Cirvelli started things off with a single and was driven in on an RBI triple from right fielder Gregory Polanco. Polanco would later score on a ground out by Josh Harrison to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead.

Polanco has had a hot start to the season hitting .500 (3 for 6) in the first two games of the season. He was signed to a five-year $35 million deal yesterday and is proving early on that he is worth the money. Polanco has scored two runs this season and has driven in two RBI as he looks to continue to lead this team in 2016.

The Cardinals wasted no time coming back, however, as an RBI single by Stephen Piscotty and a RBI ground out by Matt Holiday made the score 2-2 after 2.5 innings of play. Niese gave up a lot of base runners in this inning and it started what would become the downfall of Niese on the night. He never recovered after this inning and looked bad the rest of the night.

The Pirates responded again in the bottom of the third as John Jaso started the inning with a single and was driven in one batter later on an Andrew McCutchen RBI double making the score 3-2 Pittsburgh. McCutchen had a great offensive day for the Bucs going 3 for 5 on the night with an RBI and a run scored.

After not getting a hit on Opening Day against Adam Wainright, McCutchen broke through tonight and was a leader on the offensive side of the ball. Coming off of a season in which he won his fourth consecutive silver slugger award, McCutchen has been an offensive staple in the Pirates lineup throughout his career and looks to continue this season.

The Cardinals would take the lead in the top of the fourth as Gyorko hit his two-run home run that scored former Pirates Brandon Moss and gave the Cardinals a 4-3 lead. They would tack on another run in the top of the fifth when Holiday reached on a throwing error by Mercer that scored Piscotty and gave the Cardinals a 5-3 lead.

The offensive battle kept going in the bottom of the fifth as the Pirates loaded the bases with one out and that brought up Francisco Cirvelli. Cirvelli capitalized on a Cardinal error and reached on a force play. However, the throw by short stop Aledyms Diaz went into the outfield and allowed McCutchen to score to pull the Pirates within one. Then Polanco came up and delivered a sacrifice fly that scored David Freese and tied the game at five.

Then it was a battle of the bullpens for the next several innings as both the Cardinals and Pirates bullpens dazzled from the sixth inning on. In total the two teams combined for 12 pitchers who gave up five hits through 10 innings of work. The Pirates bullpen was able to hold off the Cardinals, However, and lead the Pirates to victory.

Arquimedes Caminero, Tony Watson, Neftali Feliz, and Mark Melancon each threw an inning of work giving up no runs on a combined two hits in four innings of work. The back end of the bullpen has proved to be a strong point for the Pirates so far in 2016. In two games the bullpen has given up only one run in ten innings of work.

Kyle Lobstein came in to the game in inning number 10 and threw 2.0 innings giving up no runs on one hit while walking one and striking out three. Lobstein was in the competition for the fifth starter spot, but lost out to both Jeff Locke and Juan Nicasio. Lobstein proved his worth last night however, picking up the win in the ll inning victory.

Then in the bottom of the inning, Jordy Mercer stepped up with runners on first and second and one out. He promptly delivred the 2-2 pitch into right field past a diving Matt Adams and it was enough to score Gregory Polanco and give the Pirates the 6-5 victory. The win improved the Pirates record to 2-0 as they take the first two games from the Cardinals.

The Pirates and Cardinals finish up there three game series tonight at PNC Park at 7:05 p.m. The Cardinals will be sending newly acquired Mike Leake to the hill. The Pirates will counter with Juan Nicasio who one the battle for the fifth starter spot out of spring training. First pitch for tonights contest is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.