4/21 Baseball Round-Up

Sorry this is up late.  It was a travel day for me.  The Altoona Curve game was rained out, but Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Bradenton, and West Virginia were in action. Inside find write-ups for Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals, Indianapolis Indians vs. Louisville Bats, Bradenton Marauders vs. Fort Myers Miracle, and West Virginia Power vs. Charleston RiverDogs.

4/20 Baseball Round-Up

The Indianapolis Indians' game was rained out, but Pittsburgh, Altoona, Bradenton, and West Virginia were in action. Inside find write-ups for Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals, Altoona Curve vs. Richmond Flying Squirrels, Bradenton Marauders vs. Fort Myers Miracle, and West Virginia Power vs. Charleston RiverDogs.

4/19 Baseball Round-Up

The Pirates had the night off, but all of their affiliates were in action. Inside find write-ups for Indianapolis Indians vs. Columbus Clippers, Altoona Curve vs. Harrisburg Senators, Bradenton Marauders vs. Fort Myers Miracle, and West Virginia Power vs. Charleston RiverDogs.

4/18 Baseball Round-Up

The Pirates were able to get a late-inning win, and their affiliates went 1-1. Inside find write-ups for Pirates vs. Diamondbacks, Indianapolis Indians vs. Columbus Clippers, and Altoona Curve vs. Harrisburg Senators.

Pirates' Pitchers Ailing; Pirate Minor Leaguer Praised

SP Jeff Karstens was pulled from his start last night after an inning complaining of a sore shoulder.  The Pirates placed him on the 15 day DL today and called up Brad Lincoln to take his spot.  Lincoln pitched three shutout innings today.  Closer Joel Hanrahan is day-to-day with a hamstring injury. 

West Virginia Power SS Alen Hanson is garnering some notice.  ESPN.com senior baseball writer Keith Law tweeted about the youngster.  On his twitter, Law was asked what he thought about Hanson.  His replay was, "True shortstop, plus runner, chance to really hit."

4/17 Baseball Round-Up

Sorry for how late this is up.  A quick write-up, then some more content for you later tonight and tomorrow, not necessarily Pirate-related. The Pirates were able to get a last-inning win, but their affiliates went 0-4. Inside find write-ups for Pirates vs. Diamondbacks, Indianapolis Indians vs. Columbus Clippers, Altoona Curve vs. Harrisburg Senators, Bradenton Marauders vs. Palm Beach Cardinals, and West Virginia Power vs. Asheville Tourists.

4/16 Baseball Round-Up

The Pirates and their minor league affiliates went 2-3 on Monday, April 16. Inside find write-ups for Pirates vs. Giants, Indianapolis Indians vs. Toledo Mud Hens, Altoona Curve vs. Richmond Flying Squirrels, Bradenton Marauders vs. Fort Myers Miracle, and West Virginia Power vs. Greenville Drive.

4/15 Baseball Round-Up

The Pirates and their minor league affiliates went 3-2 on Sunday, April 15.  Inside find write-ups for Pirates vs. Giants, Indianapolis Indians vs. Toledo Mud Hens, Altoona Curve vs. Richmond Flying Squirrels, Bradenton Marauders vs. Fort Myers Miracle, and West Virginia Power vs. Greenville Drive.

4/14 Baseball Round-Up

The Pirates and two of their affiliates lost by a run each.  The West Virginia Power were able to earn a victory.  Inside find write-ups for Pirates vs. Giants, Altoona Curve vs. Richmond Flying Squirrels, Bradenton Marauders vs. Fort Myers Miracle, and West Virginia Power vs. Greenville Drive.

Morton Activated; Hague Sent Down

Today, the Pirates activated SP Charlie Morton in time to get the start in San Francisco.  He will be taking 1B Matt Hague's postion on the active roster.  It seems a bit curious to me that they would rid themselves of someone who has the potential to provide some excitement to a stagnant offense.  Even though Hague had only one hit in nine at-bats, his previous performances have shown that he is a hitter.  He has a career minor league batting average of .302 and an .813 OPS.  I would have preferred to have seen 3B Pedro Alvarez sent down to figure out what he is doing at the plate.  After a terrible 2011 season (.191 with 4 HR), El Toro has started the season with one hit (a HR) in 16 at-bats and has struck out 10 times.  With how integral Alvarez is to the success of the Pirates in the near future, I do not understand the way the Pirates are dealing with him.  He is a fish out of water right now; prey thrown in to the wolves.  He needs to build his confidence if he is ever to succeed.  Hopefully I am proven wrong in this situation, but logic points in the other direction.

4/13 Baseball Round-Up

Even though the Pirates weren't able to get a victory, each of the teams' Minor League Affiliates came away with wins today.  Inside find write-ups for Pirates vs. Dodgers, Indianapolis Indians vs. Toledo Mud Hens, Altoona Curve vs. Richmond Flying Squirrels, Bradenton Marauders vs. Fort Myers Miracle, and West Virginia Power vs. Greenville Drive.

4/12 Baseball Round-Up

Outcomes from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Indianapolis Indians, Altoona Curve, Bradenton Marauders, and West Virginia Power.

4/11 Baseball Round-Up

Outcomes from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Indianapolis Indians, Altoona Curve, Bradenton Marauders, and West Virginia Power.

4/10 Baseball Round-Up

Outcomes from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Indianapolis Indians, Altoona Curve, Bradenton Marauders, and West Virginia Power.

4/9 Baseball Round-Up

A little late today, but here is the round-up of the Pirates minor league affiliates from Monday.  Unfortunately, the Pirates organization was 0-4 last night.  There were some good individual performances, however.

4/8 Baseball Round-Up

Outcomes from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Indianapolis Indians, and West Virginia Power.

4/7 Baseball Round-Up

Outcomes from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Indianapolis Indians, Altoona Curve, Bradenton Marauders, and West Virginia Power.

4/6 Baseball Round-up

Outcomes from the Indianapolis Indians, Altoona Curve, Bradenton Marauders, and West Virginia Power.

4/5 Baseball Round-up

Outcomes from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Altoona Curve, Bradenton Marauders, and West Virginia Power.