April 30th Daily Links: Around the NL Central

Bucs ready to play non-NL Central opponent

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140429&content_id=73744218&notebook_id=73745090&vkey=notebook_pit&c_id=pit

Pirates & Orioles rained out for 2nd straight day, will play single-admission DH on Thursday

http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2014/04/30/pirates-orioles-rained-out-for-2nd-straight-day-will-play-single-admission-dh/

Brewers are for real, not an April fluke, thanks to pitching

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/morosi-milwaukee-brewers-for-real-yovani-gallardo-kyle-lohse-matt-garza-042914

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman expected back in 7-to-10 days

http://tracking.si.com/2014/04/30/reds-aroldis-chapman-expected-back-7-to-10-days/

Ernie Banks seeking to reunite Sammy Sosa, Cubs

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-ernie-banks-sammy-sosa-20140430,0,5678646.story

April 19 Daily Links: Around the NL Central

Mike Tyson Throws out First Pitch in Pittsburgh

http://mlb.com/fancave/blog/article.jsp?content=article&content_id=72461038&partnerId=th_twitter

Reds’ Aroldis Chapman cleared to throw batting practice

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2014/04/18/reds-chapman-cleared-to-throw-batting-practice/7878045/

Renteria wants better focus from Cubs

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/23168/renteria-wants-better-focus-from-cubs

Goodbye Zoltan

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140409&content_id=71528314&notebook_id=71528608&vkey=notebook_pit&c_id=pit

Are Cardinals Fans the Best in Baseball?

http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2014/04/cardinals_fans_best_baseball.php

St. Louis Cardinals Avoid Pitfalls of Big Contracts

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2021492-st-louis-cardinals-avoid-pitfalls-of-big-contracts

Why Pittsburgh Pirates’ Pedro Alvarez Will Be in the Running for MVP in 2014

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2025085-why-pittsburgh-pirates-pedro-alvarez-will-be-in-the-running-for-mvp-in-2014

April 13th Daily Links: Around the NL Central

Brewers hold off Pirates, Secure 8th Consecutive Win

http://msn.foxsports.com/wisconsin/story/brewers-hold-off-pirates-secure-eighth-consecutive-win-041214

Clubhouse Leadership has Different Dynamic for Rebuilding Cubs

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/04/11/emma-clubhouse-leadership-has-different-dynamic-for-rebuilding-cubs/

Jameson Taillon Injury: Updates on Pirates Pitcher’s Elbow Surgery and Recovery

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2024610-jameson-taillon-injury-updates-on-pirates-pitchers-elbow-surgery-and-recovery

Pittsburgh Pirates Picking Up Right Where They Left Off

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2025201-pittsburgh-pirates-picking-up-right-where-they-left-off

Goodwill & the St. Louis Cardinals Host Earth Day Electronics Drive

http://interact.stltoday.com/pr/non-profits/PR041014014216637

Pirates vs Cubs Series Highlights

Wrigley Field April 8-10^th

Game 1: 7-6 Pirates

W: Watson (2-0, 2.08)

L: Strop (0-1, 2.45)

SV: Grilli (2)

The Cubs erased the Bucs’ early lead with the help of Starlin Castro’s three-run jack. Castro homered again, and Emilio Bonifacio went 3-for-5, but the Pirates never let the Cubs get ahead. Russell Martin broke a 6-6 deadlock in the eighth to put the Bucs on top for good.

• Pirates Recap
• Cubs Recap

 

Game 2: 7-5 Cubs

W: Hammel (2-0, 2.63)

L: Rodrigues (0-2, 5.73)

All 5 of the Pirates runs came from solo shots– Alvarez 2, Martin 2, Snider 1. Wrigley is home-run friendly but when you hit 5 out of the park you expect to win the game. Cubs had other plans for the game with back to back home runs of their own.

• Pirates Recap
• Cubs Recap

 

Game 3: 5-4 Pirates

W: Cole (2-0, 3.46)

L: Russell (0-1, 6.75)

SV: Grilli (3)

Starting with Travis Snider‘s two-run pinch-hit homer and ending with Alvarez’s fifth home-run of the season, the Bucs overcame an uneven Gerrit Cole start and some shaky defense that put them at a four-run deficit after four.

• Pirates Recap
• Cubs Recap

 

Recaps courtesy of MLB.com