Starling Marte post fifth straight multi-hit game

Starling Marte extended his hitting streak to 10 games, going 2-4 with a double, RBI in the Pirates 6-3 win over the Phillies. It was Marte’s fifth straight multi-hit game and has doubled in four straight games.  Marte is now batting .286/.356/.447 in 120 games this season and .362 since August 1. 9/10 vs Phillies 2-4, 2B, RBI, R, SO 2014 Stats: .286 – 11 HR – 50 RBI

Starling Marte at least a couple weeks away from returning to lineup

Starling Marte (.282 – 11 HR – 33 RBI) was placed on the 15-day DL last week, retroactive to August 19th, but Marte’s return to the lineup is going to be longer than the 15-day stint. Marte does not need hand surgery but he said today that it will be two weeks before he can start swinging again, putting his return at least a couple weeks away, possibly longer. The addition of Marlon Byrd becomes even more important.

Improved offense for Pirates will depend on hitter emerging in RF and Marte evolving into impact leadoff hitter

ON THE PIRATES Pitchers and catchers reported yesterday to Bradenton and count me among the few who feel the Pirates can be competitive. Not for first place in the division as the Reds enter the season as the team to beat and they are a far superior team than the Pirates and others in the NL Central, but there are areas about this Pirate team that has me somewhat optimistic. The rotation is the deepest in years and while there’s question marks with what type of pitchers they will get from James McDonald, Francisco Liriano and whether A.J. Burnett can match last years level, I still think this group can be good enough to keep the Pirates competitive. When you

Minor League Report for Aug 11: Scouts want to see Marte show the ability to walk

New Britain 6 – Altoona 5 — Starling Marte (.322 – 10 HR – 44 RBI) continues his hot hitting, going 2-for-4 with a solo home run, 1 run scored and a walk. Marte has 3 home runs and 7 RBI’s in his last 6 games. He’s hitting .435 in his last 11 games. As good as Marte has been of late, the big thing Pirate scouts want to see out of him to end this season is start showing the ability to walk. That’s a big knock on him from scouts. Marte has just 14 walks on the season and 1 in his last 10 games…