The Latest Breaking News from Yoshi Tsutsugo

While Yoshi Tsutsugo remains on the Pirates roster, things could start changing soon at first base. They certainly should.

PITTSBURGH — In a game where the Pirates faced arguably the best starting pitcher in the National League in right-hander Sandy Alcantara, their offense was pesky, persistent and productive, Pittsburgh tying the game in the ninth to force extra innings and threatening again in the 10th.

CHICAGO — JT Brubaker stood hunched over near third base, screaming out of desperation, trying his best to get the attention of his teammates. It was no use. Ian Happ's pop fly dropped, Willson Contreras reached second base without a play, and the Pirates' caravan of catastrophe had already left…

CHICAGO — The Pirates’ newfound strategy of attempting to win with no or precious few hits proved ineffective Monday night.

PITTSBURGH — The streak the Pirates had going was equal parts emblematic of their new pitching philosophy and the byproduct of playing sub-.500 baseball. It was also just pretty darn strange. Nearly 30 games, and a starting pitcher didn’t have a single win? Yeah, never happened before.

CINCINNATI — As if having a second baseman strap on catcher’s gear wasn't difficult or unlikely enough, the Pirates' subsequent trick Saturday at Great American Ball Park was a real doozy: They decided to go on a home run-hitting binge.

PITTSBURGH — The opening innings of games have been the Pirates’ bugaboo this season. Entering Wednesday night, the team had a combined 9.53 ERA in the first inning and a combined 9.00 ERA in the second. They’d allowed at least one run during one of the first two innings in…

CHICAGO — The most optimistic Pirates projections never had anywhere close to what the bullpen has done.

CHICAGO — Kevin Newman needed a rebound. So did the Pirates. They both found what they were looking for Sunday during Pittsburgh’s 4-3 victory over the Cubs at Wrigley Field, one that helped the visitors secure a four-game series win.