New Years Eve is here, putting an end to a dismal 2016 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, one that saw high ups and low downs. Lets ring in the new year by taking a look at the top moments of the Pirates 2016 regular season.
Since the year ends on December 31st, I have compiled a list of the top 31 moments in the Pirates 2016 season, going in chronological order.
- Francisco Liriano strikes out 10 Cardinals in six innings, picks up the first RBI in all of baseball on opening day (April 3), as Pirates then go on to sweep the Cardinals to start the season
- Starling Marte’s eighth inning grand slam off of JJ Hoover to give the Pirates a 1 run lead on April 8th, helping the Pirates reach 4-0 for the first time since 2003
- Chris Stewart hits a home run in his first plate appearance of 2016 on April 10th… his first as a Pirate and first since August 20th, 2013
- Jon Niese’s pinch hit RBI single to left fielder Shelby Miller against Arizona on April 24th in a high scoring affair that ended in 13 innings
- Jung Ho Kang returns, proceeds to blasts two home runs in Pirates 4-2 win over the Cardinals on May 6th
- Gerrit Cole goes 8 scoreless, Bucs top Jon Lester and the Cubs 2-1 on May 15th
- Bucs bats get to Aaron Blair, score 7 in the first, defeat the Braves 12-9 on May 17th
- Jeff Locke dazzles the Marlins, as he tosses a three hit shutout in 10-0 win on May 30th
- The Pirates sweep a double-header over Matz, deGrom and the Mets on June 7th
- Jameson Taillon carries no-hitter into the seventh, goes 8 scoreless in second career start against Mets on June 14th
- Jeff Locke outduels Bumgarner, Erik Kratz does the improbable….