Bucs' Class A affiliate combines for 24 K's in game

Four West Virginia Power pitchers combined to strike out 24 batters in a game on Thursday, the second-best total in South Atlantic League history.

New father Morton working hard on comeback trail

Charlie Morton is on a detailed, meticulous two-lane rehab road, making his way back from Tommy John surgery 11 months ago and a more recent case of shoulder discomfort.

Bucs turn to Locke in middle game at Miller Park

Mike Fiers looks to make a statement and potentially earn a spot in the Brewers' starting rotation Saturday at Miller Park against the Pirates and left-hander Jeff Locke, one of the hottest pitchers in baseball.

Burnett outdueled by Estrada in opener

A.J. Burnett allowed two runs on three hits with six strikeouts in seven strong innings, but the Pirates dropped a pitchers' duel to Marco Estrada and the Brewers on Friday, 2-1.

McCutchen produces before rain in Bucs win

The Pirates beat the Cubs, 4-2, to complete a three-game sweep of Chicago on Thursday at PNC Park after a 1-hour, 47-minute rain delay, which began with two outs in the top of the fourth inning.

Alvarez shows improvement at third base

Pedro Alvarez's play in the field has been criticized in the past, but Wednesday night, he made three great stops on hard hit groundballs to his left. And while the Pirates did make two errors in their 1-0 win, manager Clint Hurdle said they probably saved five hits with stellar defense, several by their third baseman.

Pirates showing mettle in close games

The Pirates aren't letting down late in games. They are tied with Atlanta and Texas for the most comeback wins in the Majors with 14. Day by day, they're getting battle tested.

Veterans bring winning attitude to Pirates

Homegrown Pirates haven't experienced long-term success over the course of the 162-game grind that is a Major League season. But a few veterans, like Brandon Inge, Russell Martin and A.J. Burnett, have, and it's rubbing off in the clubhouse.

New film to explore journey of pitchers from India

"Million Dollar Arm" is the next big baseball movie, it and began shooting this month in Mumbai, India. Slated to be released next spring, the Disney film is the story of how an entrepreneurial American sports-marketing agent created a reality show five years ago in India that produced the first two Indian pitchers.

Bucs make every -- and only -- run count vs. Cubs

Behind a stellar outing from Francisco Liriano, the Pirates outlasted the Cubs, 1-0, at PNC Park on Wednesday.

Pirates' pitching trio moving forward

Charlie Morton, Jeff Karstens and James McDonald are in various stages of recovery from injuries, but they were all moving in the right direction Wednesday to help a solid Pirates pitching staff.

Pirates to support Penguins in road stretch

Gaby Sanchez is not among the Pirates who follow the Penguins closely, but he will support Pittsburgh's NHL franchise when the Pirates wear Penguins jerseys in the coming road stretch.

All joking aside (not really), Bucs have chemistry

The consensus in the Pirates' clubhouse this season is that the players genuinely get along and enjoy one another's company. And they love to play practical jokes.

Snider's pinch-hit grand slam lifts Bucs over Cubs

Travis Snider hit a two-out, pinch-hit grand slam in the sixth inning to give the Pirates a 5-4 victory over the Cubs at PNC Park Tuesday.

Former pitcher Tekulve, scout Guzik to rep Bucs at Draft

The Pirates will be represented on the first day of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft by former pitcher Kent Tekulve, who had 70 wins and 158 saves with the Bucs from 1974-1985, and pro scout Rob Guzik.

Hughes sent to Triple-A; Contreras activated

Jared Hughes had his locker cleared and his bags packed just two and a half days after he arrived in Pittsburgh. He barely got to settle in before he was right back out the door, as Jose Contreras was activated from the bereavement list.

Okla. native Mercer sends thoughts to tornado victims

Jordy Mercer didn't have any family or friends directly affected by a fatal tornado that ravaged part of Oklahoma City and its suburbs on Monday. But Mercer is sending plenty of prayers that way.

McCutchen back in lineup after knee soreness

Andrew McCutchen started Tuesday night after sitting Sunday with soreness in his right knee.

Pirates showing organization is on the rise

Slowly but surely, things have begun to turn around under the guidance of general manager Neal Huntington, and the Pirates' farm system is now ranked seventh in baseball.

Solo shot all Locke needs as Pirates top Astros

Jeff Locke added seven dominant innings to his growing trail in the Pirates' series-clinching 1-0 victory over the Astros at PNC Park on Sunday afternoon.

McCutchen has no structural damage in sore knee

Starling Marte was due to miss his second start of the season, left out of the Pirates' original lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Astros. Instead, Andrew McCutchen missed his second start, scratched with a sore right knee.

Hurdle ejected after close play at the plate

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle was ejected from Saturday night's 4-2 loss against the Astros after Houston took a 3-2 lead in the top of the 11th inning.

Pirates fall in 11th after bullpen has rare misstep

Jason Castro scored from third base on Matt Dominguez's grounder with one out in the 11th inning, a controversial run that snapped a 2-2 tie and sent the Astros to a 4-2 victory over the Bucs.

Pirates hold ceremony for Honorary Bat Girl

The Pirates held a pregame ceremony on Saturday for Maria Heddleston, their winner of MLB's Honorary Bat Girl Contest.

Opposite-field hit may be good sign for McCutchen

Center fielder Andrew McCutchen singled to the opposite field in Friday's ninth inning. It was just his fifth hit to the right half of the outfield at PNC Park this season.

Persistent Pirates benefit from unexpected mishap

Given a chance to reflect on Friday night's victory on a walk-off popup, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle was pretty sure of two things: (a) It was the type of game his 2011 and '12 Bucs would not have found a way to win and (b) tape of the finish makes a pretty good instructional video for players and staff in the team's Minor League system.

Hughes returns to Pirates with improved delivery

Reliever Jared Hughes and his improved delivery were at the ready in the Bucs' bullpen Saturday night.

Pirates beneficiaries from error of Astros' ways

All the stars aligned in the proper order, and in the end there was Russell Martin clanging a second error off the Houston right fielder's glove for a 5-4 Pirates victory on Friday at PNC Park.

Pirates' pitchers racking up strikeouts

Three years after they ranked last in the National League in strikeouts, the Pirates (330 entering Friday) are on the verge of overtaking the Reds (334) for the league lead. In the first quarter of this season, the staff has already had nearly as many games with strikeouts in double-figures (15) as it had in all of 2010 (16).

Today's MLB starting lineups: May 24

Every lineup, every day, as they are made public by the clubs.