Topic: Manager Clint Hurdle

PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Gregory Polanco left Friday's game in the first inning after crashing into the outfield wall.

MILWAUKEE -- Andrew McCutchen is playing some of his best baseball of the season and it shouldn't come as a surprise that the Pittsburgh Pirates are, too.

CINCINNATI -- When the announcement was made in the press box that Joey Votto had collected four hits in Sunday's game, the reaction was a collective shrug.

PITTSBURGH -- Two outs. Ninth inning. One-run lead. St. Louis' Matt Carpenter at the plate.

MILWAUKEE -- Everything seems to be clicking these days for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

By Shelly Anderson, The Sports Xchange

PITTSBURGH -- Jameson Taillon stopped short of calling it a premonition.

PITTSBURGH -- Wins had been elusive for Gerrit Cole. A complete game? That would be a luxury.

PITTSBURGH -- Seattle ace Felix Hernandez felt it from the start. His pitches were up. The Pittsburgh hitters were taking advantage.

PITTSBURGH -- Pirates rookie Adam Frazier didn't shy away from playing a guessing game when he was brought in to pinch-hit in the seventh inning Sunday.