Jason Grilli News

After the first quarter of the season, the Pirates bullpen established two truths.

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We've heard a lot over the past few weeks about Mark Melancon and Jason Grilli's workloads this year, and how they're not sustainable.

Pittsburgh ace A.J. Burnett tries to end a three-start skid on Friday night when the Pirates open a three-game series at Miller Park against the Milwaukee Brewers.

David Todd and I discussed the Gaby Sanchez trade on our last podcast , and I again came out against it, with the idea being that it's difficult for the Pirates to draft stars, and a competitive-balance pick in the 30s at least represented the possibility that the Pirates might get a star, even if it wasn't a particularly likely possibility.

Back before interleague play was an everyday occurrence, this was the week baseball focused on something that no longer is a novelty.

RHP Jeanmar Gomez ' spot in the starting rotation figures to be in jeopardy when RHP Charlie Morton is activated from the disabled list.

The veteran left-hander continued his torrid start, scattering two hits over seven innings and the Pirates edged the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Wednesday night.

Each week, Sporting News will profile a team and a player who have exhibited The Winning Edge during the 2013 season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are winning. Winning ugly. Winning by a run. Winning with a walkoff-error. Walkoff bomb.

Could the Cubs have won Tuesday night's game with better relief work? Yes, and part of that is on manager Dale Sveum's choices.

Garza allowed one hit over five shutout innings in his first outing in 10 months, but the Pirates pounced on a Chicago bullpen that is 10th in the National League in ERA by sending 11 men to the plate in the sixth.

The Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers are dominating in the first month and a half of the 2013 Major League Baseball season because they are striking out a majority of the batters they face.

"I didn't feel anything at the time, but I think that's something that caused my uncomfortable feeling," McCutchen said.

Jeff Locke fired seven shutout innings to outduel Lucas Harrell, while Pedro Alvarez's solo homer provided the only scoring in the Pittsburgh Pirates' 1-0 victory over the Houston Astros at PNC Park.

Pirates general manager Neal Huntington, as is often pointed out, majors in pitching.

Jason Grilli stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night. This morning he is tied for the Major League lead in saves with Mariano Rivera .

Wandy Rodriguez allowed one run over seven strong innings and Neil Walker hit a two-run single as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3-1 on Wednesday night.

There were plenty of things to like in this game , the Pirates found a way to win in a game in which they were the better team but just couldn't score runs, and also Andrew McCutchen is practically a real life baseball superhero and it's just great that he's a Pirate), but my favorite one came immediately after the game ended.

You don't always need big names to get big results out of your bullpen. Sometimes a few unsung heroes will do the trick.