Michael McKenry News

Andrew McCutchen had three hits, knocked in two runs and swiped two bags as the Pittsburgh Pirates finished off a three- game sweep of the Chicago Cubs with a 4-2 victory Thursday at PNC Park.

As Michael McKenry worked with Jeff Locke on Sunday, the Pittsburgh Pirates backup catcher couldn't help but think about the potential of his young battery mate.

It is only the middle of May, but Andrew McCutchen has already weathered two long slumps this young season.

Pittsburgh centerfielder Andrew McCutchen came up with the biggest hit of the night, a solo home run to right-center off Mike Fiers to lead off the bottom of the 12th inning and give the Pirates a walk-off victory, 4-3. The Brewers were nursing a 3-2 lead when manager Ron Roenicke called for John Axford to pitch the eighth.

Russell Martin will return to the Pirates lineup tonight. "He is in a better position to play than he might have been the last time we put him in," Clint Hurdle said.

The Pittsburgh Pirates three-game winning streak came to an end Monday night at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Norichika Aoki went 3-for-5 with three RBI and Marco Estrada spun seven innings of one run ball as the Brewers snapped a four-game skid with a 5-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Hunt Auctions is holding a one-day "Celebration of The Pittsburgh Pirates" autograph and memorabilia show on Saturday, June 29 at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center Ballroom.

Brewers open a four-game series in Pittsburgh looking to snap a four-game losing streak and get their second win in May.

When the Pirates activate Neil Walker , thoughts of the future and protection against the present may force them to send down Jordy Mercer .

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez, left, tires to tag New York Mets' Mike Baxter as he steals third base during the seventh inning of the a National League MLB baseball game at Citi Field Sunday, May 12, 2013 in New York.

Let me start this off by saying I think Michael McKenry seems like a great, great guy.

Harvey didn't have his best stuff, and the Pirates did just enough to take advantage.

"I think that today, we didn't do anything well," David Wright said after Francisco Liriano struck out nine and pitched into the sixth inning to win his debut with Pittsburgh.

Sam Gable, left, and Al Gable, from Nyack, N.Y., carry their banner around the field during Banner Day before the baseball game between the New York Mets and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field on Saturday, May 11, 2013 in New York.

Range of motion is the issue; Russell Martin has none. He was missing from the Pirates' lineup Saturday for the fourth time in five games because of lingering stiffness in his neck.

Friday night they pounced, attacking New York Mets starter Shaun Marcum like rabid dogs, and defeated the Mets, 7-3, at Citi Field to even the series at a game apiece.

MLB Team Report - Pittsburgh Pirates - INSIDE PITCH The circumstances could be ripe Saturday for Russell Martin to make his first major-league appearance in the outfield.

Seattle starter Felix Hernandez lived up to his royal billing, allowing one run over eight innings as the Mariners beat the Pirates, 2-1, Wednesday afternoon at PNC Park.

Seattle Mariners' Michael Saunders, right, scores on a passed ball as Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett, left, covers home during the fourth inning of an interleague baseball game in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, May 8, 2013.