Climbing Tal's Hill » Andrew McCutchen

Astros try to play spoiler vs. Bucs, Wandy

Greg Thurston — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 22:52:50 +0000

After winning a Labor Day matinee by a 5-1 score, the Astros go up against a familiar face tonight in Pittsburgh. Wandy Rodriguez takes the mound for the slumping Pirates against the Astros and Jordan Lyles. It will be the second time Rodriguez has faced his former team since being traded earlier this season. Wandy got a no-decision against Houston in his Pirates debut on July 28.

(more…)

Astros Drop 2nd of 3 Game Set to Bucs

Brian Hamilton — Sun, 13 May 2012 02:25:34 +0000

J.A. Happ took the mound for the Astros tonight in Pittsburgh, facing off against Charlie Morton. As was the case with most J.A. Happ starts, the Astros lost the game. In the first inning, Neil Walker hit a sacrifice fly to score Jose Tabata who led off with a triple. Andrew McCutchen would later drill a solo home run to right field to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead.

Jordan Schafer‘s RBI double, scoring Chris Snyder would cut the lead to 2-1 in the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, the Pirates came right back as Tabata launched a solo home run extending the lead to 3-1. Justin Maxwell would then knock in the last of the Astros runs in the 6th inning with a fielder’s choice scoring Jose Altuve. The Pirates would then plate two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning which would prove to be the winning runs.

(more…)

The N.L. Central Farewell Tour: Pittsburgh Pirates Edition

Greg Thurston — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:12:51 +0000

The next stop on our tour is the Steel City, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. I’ll have a Primanti Brothers sandwich and a couple of pierogies, please. Pittsburghers have always loved their local cuisine and their Steelers, but have had a hard time getting behind the Pirates for almost an entire generation. The Buccos have failed to record a winning record for nineteen consecutive seasons. Last year looked like it could be the year, but a late season collapse postponed the celebration.

Manager Clint Hurdle and pitching coach Ray Searage had a positive affect on a young Buccos team in 2011. Pittsburgh was tied for first place on July 25th when their inexperience began to show and things started to go south. Can the Pirates right the ship this season and put an end to the losing streak? Tom Smith, editor at rumbunter.com, has agreed to climb the hill with us and try to answer that question. Well, actually he has agreed to answer a few questions that Brian and Alex have posed about the 2012 Pirates. Let’s get started with Brian.

(more…)