Pirates clinch home field in wild-card game with win

In spring 2014, he was pitching for TCU. The right-hander gave up three runs and five hits.

Happ (11-8) allowed three hits, struck out seven and walked two.

Barring a change of mind, this will be A.J. This is Wagner’s first career game against the Cubs. The 24-year-old is 0-5 in his last nine starts. But he has said he will retire after this season.

Here’s an interesting read from Jeff Sullivan correlating what dominant regular-season pitchers have done in the playoffs.

The Pirates were able to get to Reds starter Josh Smith in the bottom of the first.

“It’s one of those things you can’t focus on or worry about or concern yourself with, because it’s not up to you”, Bruce said before Thursday’s game with the Cubs.

“It might be perceived as one pitch but a couple walks preceded the home run”, Lamb said. I really don’t want to do that. From the perspective of protecting yourself because it can make sense. “It’s been not a very enjoyable two weeks, I can tell you that”. Who knows what might happen?

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Joey Votto reached base safely in his 48th straight game, matching a Cincinnati Reds record set by Pete Rose in 1978.

The Reds’ losing skid wasn’t the only streak to come to an end on Saturday. Cabrera started his career in the Pirates organization but was traded to the Tigers for Andy Oliver.

The fans behind the Pirates dugout stood, waiting for him to emerge.

McCutchen pulled the Pirates to 4-1 when he led the fourth inning with his 23rd homer. 200 home and away, so best of luck either way.

The Pirates announced yesterday that ace Gerrit Cole will start Wednesday’s game.

Time: 7:05 p.m. Beginning in 1990, Pittsburgh won their division in three straight seasons only to lose each time in the league championship series first to the Cincinnati Reds and twice more to the Atlanta Braves.

Consider this, just 29 years ago, the Dodgers’ Fernando Valenzuela completed 20 games to lead the major leagues. But since the Midsummer Classic, the Cubs have taken the gloves off – battering opponents to a the tune of a. 662 clip, including their season-ending eight-game win streak.

The Pirates’ magic number to clinch home-field advantage is two. The Cubs hold the tiebreaker if they finish with the same record.

Unless they steal a few more bases in the final two games, the Pirates have 98 thefts in 2015.

Castro had four hits in a game for the first time since 2013.

“It stinks, obviously”, Jordy Mercer said.

“We’ve got to come out, we’ve got to score a few runs and try to get them down early and lock it down”, Walker said. “Could be like a lot of other teams and not be in this situation”.

The Mets lost their fifth in a row, losing the opener 3-1. “That’s how much we were pushed by them”. Simply because it is my opinion here that they are the better team.

“This was a fight”, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. Both teams have three to play – Chicago in Milwaukee and the Pirates against the Reds in Pittsburgh. It’s a tough team we just beat. In are the Pirates, Cubs, and Cardinals. He was removed after loading the bases with no outs in the third and was charged with five runs. Price is 139-183 in two seasons.

Josh Smith (0-4) was the last rookie to start.

Cubs: C Miguel Montero was given a day game off after catching Wednesday’s night game.

“It’s special”, Cole said. “The grand slam [from Francisco Cervelli] was huge. I just have to keep us in a stone’s throw, I guess”.

Game story: Pirates relegated to wild-card game after splitting doubleheader.