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LaRoche’s gem sets up Pirates’ late victory

The Pirates and the 20,235 vocal fans at PNC Park had much to like from this Memorial Day matinee, a 2-1 late victory against the Chicago Cubs …

Ross Ohlendorf pitched seven strong innings, charged with one undeserved run.


Garrett Jones homered and doubled.

Bobby Crosby’s pinch-hit RBI single scored Jones after the latter to break a 1-1 tie.

And Octavio Dotel closed it out with a strikeout for his 11th save and the official end of the team’s five-game losing streak.

Even the weather cooperated, with pockets of thunderstorms all over the county but somehow dodging the North Shore.

Nice day, right?

Well, forget it all and focus instead on what reliever Evan Meek called “the play that won this game,” a defensive gem by third baseman Andy LaRoche that might have been, in its own way, among the Pirates’ best this summer.

Click here to read the full article – By Dejan Kovacevic of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


June 1, 2010 Posted by GameSetMatch | MLB, Pirates News, Pittsburgh Pirates | , , , , , | No Comments Yet

Pirates parting ways with infielder Vazquez

The Pirates unconditionally released infielder Ramon Vazquez on Thursday. If he signs elsewhere, that team will be responsible for $400,000 of Vazquez’s salary, and the Pirates will be on the hook for the other $1.6 million. If Vazquez does not sign with anyone this year, the Pirates will have to pay his entire $2 million salary.

» Second baseman Aki Iwamura got his first hit in a Pirates uniform, singling in the third inning off Chad Billingsley.

» The Pirates started three bench players: Ryan Church in left field in place of Lastings Milledge, Delwyn Young in right field for Garrett Jones and Bobby Crosby at shortstop in place of Ronny Cedeno. Jones started at first base for Jeff Clement.

» John Raynor, a Rule 5 pickup from Florida, made his major-league debut as a pinch hitter in the ninth. He walked.

Click here to read the full article – By Karen Price of PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW


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April 9, 2010 Posted by GameSetMatch | MLB, Pirates Apparel, Pirates News, Pittsburgh Pirates, Ramon Vazquez | , , , , , , , , , | No Comments Yet

Much-improved Bucs feeling competitive

Shortly after he was hired as the club’s general manager in September 2007, general manager Neal Huntington completed a thorough organizational assessment, after which he came to one concerning conclusion — the team didn’t have nearly enough depth.


Over the next two seasons, the latter of which ended Sunday, Huntington went about addressing — albeit often in a publicly unpopular manner — that lack of depth. The roster turnover this year alone has been both jarring and startling, though Huntington has, unquestionably, improved the overall organizational depth.

Regardless, that still leaves Pirates fans stirring, with one lingering question: Does any of this put Pittsburgh closer to winning again?


Click here to read the full article – By Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com


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October 5, 2009 Posted by GameSetMatch | MLB, Pirates News, Pittsburgh Pirates | , , , , , , | No Comments Yet

Vazquez cleared to play if knee allows

At his own request, utility infielder Ramon Vazquez had an MRI done on his right knee on Monday in hopes of identifying the source of some recent pain.


The MRI revealed no surgical problems, and Vazquez has been cleared to play to tolerance. General manager Neal Huntington said that Vazquez’s symptoms and level of discomfort will dictate how much he plays as the Pirates finish out the season.

Vazquez said that the knee has been sore and bothering him while he runs for a while now. On Friday, though, it also began aching when he braced himself after hitting a foul ball during one of his four plate appearances. That was what most concerned Vazquez.


Click here to read the full article – By Jenifer Langosch of MLB,com


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September 22, 2009 Posted by GameSetMatch | MLB, Pirates News, Pittsburgh Pirates, Ramon Vazquez | , , , , , , , | No Comments Yet

Pirates to hold “Roberto Clemente Day of Giving” on Friday

The “Day of Giving” is designed to give fans a chance to give back to the community in a variety of ways, as well as recognize some of the organization’s players for their committment to giving back.

Paul Maholm will be recognized in a pregame on-field ceremony as the team’s Roberto Clemente Award nominee. Each club has selected one of its players to receive the team award, which recognizes both on-field success and off-the-field efforts in the community. Maholm has dedicated extensive time this season to working with the Gilda’s Club of Western Pennsylvania.

Minor League players in the Pirates’ farm system are also each required to dedicate a minimum of 10 hours each season to community work as part of the Pirates Community Commitment Program. The organization will hand out an award to one player from each Minor League affiliate who has especially been dedicated to this program. Those award recipients include: Larry Broadway (Indianapolis), Jason Delaney (Altoona), Josue Peley (West Va.), Jared Keel (Lynchburg), Mike Williams (State College), Bradley Clapp (GCL) and Gavi Nivar (Dominican Summer League).


Click here to read the full article – By Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com


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September 17, 2009 Posted by GameSetMatch | MLB, Pirates Apparel, Pirates News | , , , , , , , | No Comments Yet

Vasquez back in new role for Pirates

Virgil Vasquez finds himself in a new role as he begins his second stint with the Pirates this season. With Pittsburgh already set with a six-man rotation, Vasquez is now a member of the bullpen.


“I have a different mentality,” Vasquez said. “You change your routine and you change your preparation. But the game’s the same.”

Manager John Russell said the Pirates will keep Vasquez out of the rotation for the time being, but added that he could make a spot start down the line if he is needed. Vasquez made his first ‘pen appearance in Tuesday’s 11-5 loss, giving up two earned runs via a two-run homer in the seventh inning but striking out two.


Click here to read the full article – By Steve Gartner of MLB.com


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September 2, 2009 Posted by GameSetMatch | MLB, Pirates News | , , , , , , | No Comments Yet