Jamie Romak News

The Scottsdale Scorpions finished their AFL schedule with a loss and a 10th inning win: Nov 19th: A Peoria Javelinas 5, Scottsdale Scorpions 0 Starter Jared Hughes struggled in his last AFL start, allowing 4 ...

The Pirates added five players to their 40-man protected roster last night, including third baseman Neil Walker.

The Pirates added five players to the 40-man roster today, protecting them from the Rule V Draft.

Visiting our Pirates' farmhands and friends in fall and winter ball, in Friday's games: AFL: Jeff Sues' blog has another guest blogger, Derek Hankins A this week.

Pirates' farmhands and friends in fall and winter league play: AFL: Game 1 -- continuation of the game started on Nov 7th.

Luis Cruz hit a 2-run homer for Obregon -- photo by Nancy Zinni Looking at the Pirates' farmhands and friends in the winter and fall leagues... The Hawaiian Winter League wraps up play at the end of this week; ...

Checking in on Pirates' farmhands and friends in winter ball on Tuesday... AFL: Scottsdale Scorpions 9, Peoria Javelinas 3 CF Brian Bogusevic went 4-for-4 and LF Chris Pettit went 3-for-5 to lead the Scorpions.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Pirates have signed 18-year old South African Mpho Mgoepe, a switch-hitting shortstop to a contract.

A 6-run 6th inning by the Solar Sox doomed the Scorpions, who maintained their firm hold on last place in the American Division of the AFL, with a 6-13 record.

Reliever Mike Crotta was charged with his second Blown Save, and then the Loss, as he gave up 5 runs on 4 hits, two of which were homers.

Just a couple of quick notes today. With the hiring of pitching coach Joe Kerrigan yesterday , the Pirates have only one coaching vacancy remaining.

Jeff Sues opened the 2008 season in Lynchburg and posted a 2.11 ERA in 21 1/3 innings.

The Arizona Fall League is underway . Shelby Ford and Steven Lerud are off to great starts; Jamie Romak is 0-for-9 with four strikeouts.

OK, one last time about the Pedro Alvarez time issue ... One thing that posterity probably should note from this whole affair are all the various times cited by both sides, as well as the consistencies and ...

The Pirates promised a new day when the franchise completely overhauled its management from top to bottom in the offseason, hoping to end 15 years of futility and restock a minor league system in disrepair.

A hearty, happy hello from the best non-Pittsburgh stop on the National League tour.

Here's how the Pirates minor league teams fared in their games played Saturday, Aug.

Here's how the Pirates minor league teams fared in their games played Sunday, Aug.

He struck out five, walked none and threw 32 of 49 pitches for strikes. SS Brian Bixler went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Tonight: Altoona Curve vs. Portland Sea Dogs at Blair County Ballpark, 7:05 p.m. Pitching matchups: Curve RHP Derek Hankins vs.