2015 Pittsburgh Pirates season

2015  Pittsburgh Pirates
National League Wild Card Winners
League	National League
Division	Central
Ballpark	PNC Park
City	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania [1]
Record	98–64 (.605)
Divisional place	2nd
Owners	Robert Nutting
General managers	Neal Huntington
Managers	Clint Hurdle
Television	Root Sports Pittsburgh
Radio	KDKA-FM Pittsburgh Pirates Radio Network (Steve Blass, Greg Brown, Tim Neverett, Bob Walk, John Wehner)
Stats	ESPN.com Baseball Reference
←  2014 Seasons 2016  →

The 2015 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the franchise's 134th season overall, the 129th season as a member of National League, and 15th season at PNC Park.

Background

The regular season began with a loss at Great American Ball Park against the Cincinnati Reds on April 6 and ended with a win against the Reds at PNC Park on October 4. The Pirates finished the regular season with the second-best record in baseball, finishing in second place for the third consecutive year in the National League Central with 98 wins and 64 losses.

The team clinched its third consecutive playoff berth on September 23, finishing second in its division behind the St. Louis Cardinals. The Pirates secured one of two NL Wild Card spots, but lost to the Chicago Cubs in the NLWC Game on October 7, eliminating the team from 2015 postseason play.

Four members of the 2015 Pirates were selected to represent the National League in the All-Star Game, including pitcher A. J. Burnett for the first time in his career in his final major league season. In addition, one player was named NL Player of the Month: Andrew McCutchen in August, one was named NL Rookie of the Month: Jung-ho Kang in July, and one was named NL Pitcher of the Month: Gerrit Cole in April.

On October 2, the penultimate game of the regular season, the Pirates set a PNC Park season attendance record for the second consecutive year at 2,498,596, beating the record set in 2014 (2,442,564). ^[2]

Season standings

National League Central

• v
• t
• e

NL Central

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB	Home	Road
St. Louis Cardinals	100	62	.617	—	55‍–‍26	45‍–‍36
Pittsburgh Pirates	98	64	.605	2	53‍–‍28	45‍–‍36
Chicago Cubs	97	65	.599	3	49‍–‍32	48‍–‍33
Milwaukee Brewers	68	94	.420	32	34‍–‍47	34‍–‍47
Cincinnati Reds	64	98	.395	36	34‍–‍47	30‍–‍51

National League playoff standings

• v
• t
• e

Division Leaders

Team	W	L	Pct.
St. Louis Cardinals	100	62	.617
Los Angeles Dodgers	92	70	.568
New York Mets	90	72	.556

• v
• t
• e

Wild Card teams
(Top 2 teams qualify for postseason)

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Pittsburgh Pirates	98	64	.605	+1
Chicago Cubs	97	65	.599	—
San Francisco Giants	84	78	.519	13
Washington Nationals	83	79	.512	14
Arizona Diamondbacks	79	83	.488	18
San Diego Padres	74	88	.457	23
Miami Marlins	71	91	.438	26
Milwaukee Brewers	68	94	.420	29
Colorado Rockies	68	94	.420	29
Atlanta Braves	67	95	.414	30
Cincinnati Reds	64	98	.395	33
Philadelphia Phillies	63	99	.389	34

Record vs. opponents

2015 National League record v t e Source: MLB Standings Grid – 2015
Team	AZ	ATL	CHC	CIN	COL	LAD	MIA	MIL	NYM	PHI	PIT	SD	SF	STL	WSH	AL
Arizona	—	3–3	2–4	6–1	13–6	6–13	5–2	5–2	2–5	2–4	1–5	9–10	11–8	0–7	3–4	11–9
Atlanta	3–3	—	1–6	3–4	1–6	3–3	10–9	5–2	8–11	11–8	2–4	2–5	3–4	4–2	5–14	6–14
Chicago	4–2	6–1	—	13–6	4–2	3–4	3–3	14–5	7–0	2–5	11–8	3–3	5–2	8–11	4–3	10–10
Cincinnati	1–6	4–3	6–13	—	2–4	1–6	3–4	9–10	0–7	4–2	11–8	2–4	2–5	7–12	5–1	7–13
Colorado	6–13	6–1	2–4	4–2	—	8–11	2–5	5–1	0–7	5–2	1–6	7–12	11–8	3–4	3–3	5–15
Los Angeles	13–6	3–3	4–3	6–1	11–8	—	4–2	4–3	3–4	5–2	1–5	14–5	8–11	2–5	4–2	10–10
Miami	2–5	9–10	3–3	4–3	5–2	2–4	—	4–2	8–11	9–10	1–6	2–5	5–2	1–5	9–10	7–13
Milwaukee	2–5	2–5	5–14	10–9	1–5	3–4	2–4	—	3–3	7–0	10–9	5–2	1–5	6–13	3–4	8–12
New York	5–2	11–8	0–7	7–0	7–0	4–3	11–8	3–3	—	14–5	0–6	2–4	3–3	3–4	11–8	9–11
Philadelphia	4–2	8–11	5–2	2–4	2–5	2–5	10–9	0–7	5–14	—	2–5	5–1	1–5	2–5	7–12	8–12
Pittsburgh	5–1	4–2	8–11	8–11	6–1	5–1	6–1	9–10	6–0	5–2	—	5–2	6–1	9–10	3–4	13–7
San Diego	10–9	5–2	3–3	4–2	12–7	5–14	5–2	2–5	4–2	1–5	2–5	—	8–11	4–3	2–5	7–13
San Francisco	8–11	4–3	2–5	5–2	8–11	11–8	2–5	5–1	3–3	5–1	1–6	11–8	—	2–4	4–3	13–7
St. Louis	7–0	2–4	11–8	12–7	4–3	5–2	5–1	13–6	4–3	5–2	10–9	3–4	4–2	—	4–2	11–9
Washington	4–3	14–5	3–4	1–5	3–3	2–4	10–9	4–3	8–11	12–7	4–3	5–2	3–4	2–4	—	8–12

Detailed records

National League Opponent W L WP RS RA NL East Atlanta Braves 4 2 0.667 29 21 Miami Marlins 6 1 0.857 30 15 New York Mets 6 0 1.000 37 10 Philadelphia Phillies 5 2 0.714 21 15 Washington Nationals 3 4 0.429 23 37 Total 24 9 0.727 140 98 NL Central Chicago Cubs 8 11 0.421 71 81 Cincinnati Reds 8 11 0.421 69 81 Milwaukee Brewers 9 10 0.474 81 79 Pittsburgh Pirates St. Louis Cardinals 9 10 0.474 79 76 Total 34 42 0.447 300 317 NL West Arizona Diamondbacks 5 1 0.833 28 15 Colorado Rockies 6 1 0.857 42 28 Los Angeles Dodgers 5 1 0.833 33 26 San Diego Padres 5 2 0.714 29 25 San Francisco Giants 6 1 0.857 32 19 Total 27 6 0.818 164 113 American League Chicago White Sox 4 0 1.000 20 4 Cleveland Indians 2 1 0.667 8 8 Detroit Tigers 4 2 0.667 27 18 Kansas City Royals 1 2 0.333 12 15 Minnesota Twins 2 2 0.500 26 23 Total 13 7 0.650 93 68 Season Total 98 64 0.605 697 596

Month Games Won Lost Win % RS RA April 22 12 10 0.545 89 71 May 28 14 14 0.500 119 103 June 26 17 9 0.654 95 82 July 26 17 9 0.654 120 117 August 27 19 8 0.704 123 92 September 30 17 13 0.567 140 124 October 3 2 1 0.667 11 7 Total 162 98 64 0.605 697 596 Games Won Lost Win % RS RA Home 81 53 28 0.654 343 281 Away 81 45 36 0.556 354 315 Total 162 98 64 0.605 697 596

Regular season

April

• April 8 – Offseason bidding acquisition Jung-ho Kang makes his MLB debut after nine years playing in the South Korean KBO League.
• April 9 – The Pirates are swept by the Cincinnati Reds in the first series of the regular season.
• Gerrit Cole is named NL Pitcher of the Month for April.
• The Pirates finish the month with a win–loss record of 12–10, third in the NL Central at 3.5 games out of first.

May

The Pirates play the Reds at PNC Park on May 6.

• May 26 – Andrew McCutchen (OF) is named NL Player of the Week for the week ending May 24. ^[3]
• The Pirates finish the month with a win–loss record of 26–24, third in the NL Central at 7.0 games out of first.

June

• June 12 – Clint Hurdle earns his 900th career win as a manager in a Pirates victory at home over the Philadelphia Phillies. ^[4]
• June 20 – The Pirates are no-hit by Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals, but a perfect game was broken up when Scherzer hit José Tábata in the elbow. ^[5]
• The Pirates finish the month with a win–loss record of 43–33, second in the NL Central at 8.0 games out of first.

July

• July 6 – A. J. Burnett (P), Gerrit Cole (P), Andrew McCutchen (OF), and Mark Melancon (P) are named to the National League All-Star team. ^[6]
• July 12 – The Pirates enter the All-Star break with a win–loss record of 53–35, second in the NL Central and second-best in MLB. ^[7]
• Jung-ho Kang is named NL Rookie of the Month for July. ^[8]
• The Pirates finish the month with a win–loss record of 60–42, second in the NL Central at 5.5 games out of first.

August

The Pirates host the Diamondbacks on August 17.

• August 10 – Andrew McCutchen is named NL Player of the Week for the second time in 2015 for the week ending August 9. ^[9]
• Andrew McCutchen is named NL Player of the Month for August.
• The Pirates finish the month with a win–loss record of 79–50, second in the NL Central at 5.0 games out of first.

September

• September 20 – Mark Melancon records his 47th save of the season, breaking the all-time Pirates franchise record set by Mike Williams in 2002. ^[10]
• September 23 – The Pirates clinch their third consecutive playoff berth with an away win against the Colorado Rockies. ^[11]
• September 24 – The Pirates achieve a come-from-behind win against the Rockies on the strength of an 8th inning Pedro Alvarez three-run home run, earning the franchise's 10,000th win since joining the National League in 1887. ^[12]
• September 26 – The Pirates earn their 95th win of the season, ensuring their best season-end win–loss record since 1992.
• September 30 – The Cardinals clinch the division, ensuring the Pirates' third consecutive appearance in the NL Wild Card game. ^[13]

October

• October 2 – During the final homestand of 2015, the Pirates set a new PNC Park attendance record for the second consecutive year at 2,498,596, a 56,032 increase over 2014.
• October 4 – At the conclusion of the season, the Pirates had a win–loss record of 98–64, finishing second in the NL Central behind the St. Louis Cardinals with the second-best record in Major League Baseball. The Pirates clinched home-field advantage for the NL Wild Card game on the last day of the season, finishing one game ahead of the Chicago Cubs, whom they would face in the play-in game.

Game log

2015 Game Log: 98–64 (Home: 53–28; Away: 45–36) [14]
April: 12–10 (Home: 6–4; Away: 6–6) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 1 April 6 @ Reds 2–5 Diaz (1–0) Watson (0–1) Chapman (1) 43,633 0–1 2 April 8 @ Reds 4–5 (11) Hoover (1–0) Liz (0–1) — 30,859 0–2 3 April 9 @ Reds 2–3 Chapman (1–0) Scahill (0–1) — 15,616 0–3 4 April 10 @ Brewers 6–2 Locke (1–0) Fiers (0–1) — 27,373 1–3 5 April 11 @ Brewers 0–6 Nelson (1–0) Worley (0–1) — 41,108 1–4 6 April 12 @ Brewers 10–2 Sadler (1–0) Lohse (0–2) — 39,017 2–4 7 April 13 Tigers 5–4 Cole (1–0) Sánchez (1–1) — 39,933 3–4 8 April 14 Tigers 0–2 Greene (2–0) Burnett (0–1) Soria (3) 31,755 3–5 9 April 15 Tigers 0–1 Simón (2–0) Liriano (0–1) Soria (4) 19,509 3–6 10 April 17 Brewers 6–3 Worley (1–1) Nelson (1–1) Melancon (1) 25,664 4–6 11 April 18 Brewers 6–2 Locke (2–0) Lohse (0–3) — 33,961 5–6 12 April 19 Brewers 5–2 Cole (2–0) Garza (1–2) Melancon (2) 28,129 6–6 13 April 20 Cubs 2–5 Arrieta (2–1) Caminero (0–1) — 11,777 6–7 14 April 21 Cubs 8–9 Jackson (1–0) Melancon (0–1) Rondon (3) 13,680 6–8 15 April 22 Cubs 4–3 Worley (2–1) Hammel (1–1) Watson (1) 15,101 7–8 16 April 23 Cubs 5–4 Liz (1–1) Schlitter (0–2) Melancon (3) 22,224 8–8 17 April 24 @ Diamondbacks 4–1 Cole (3–0) Collmenter (1–3) Melancon (4) 24,427 9–8 18 April 25 @ Diamondbacks 2–1 Watson (1–1) Reed (0–1) Melancon (5) 38,859 10–8 19 April 26 @ Diamondbacks 8–0 Liriano (1–1) Hellickson (1–3) — 32,353 11–8 20 April 27 @ Cubs 0–4 Hammel (2–1) Worley (2–2) — 29,159 11–9 21 April 28 @ Cubs 2–6 Wood (2–1) Locke (2–1) — 29,915 11–10 22 April 29 @ Cubs 8–1 Cole (4–0) Hendricks (0–1) — 30,634 12–10
May: 14–14 (Home: 9–5; Away: 5–9) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 23 May 1 @ Cardinals 1–2 (10) Choate (1–0) Scahill (0–2) — 40,912 12–11 24 May 2 @ Cardinals 1–2 (11) Villanueva (3–1) Hughes (0–1) — 45,095 12–12 25 May 3 @ Cardinals 2–3 (14) Socolovich (1–0) Liz (1–2) — 44,382 12–13 26 May 5 Reds 1–7 Lorenzen (1–1) Locke (2–2) — 16,822 12–14 27 May 6 Reds 0–3 Leake (2–1) Cole (4–1) Chapman (6) 16,527 12–15 28 May 7 Reds 7–2 Burnett (1–1) DeSclafani (2–3) — 27,302 13–15 29 May 8 Cardinals 5–8 Wacha (5–0) Liriano (1–2) Rosenthal (11) 33,507 13–16 30 May 9 Cardinals 7–5 Scahill (1–2) Martinez (3–1) Melancon (6) 38,068 14–16 31 May 10 Cardinals 4–3 Hughes (1–1) Harris (1–1) Melancon (7) 34,036 15–16 32 May 11 @ Phillies 4–3 Cole (5–1) Williams (2–3) Melancon (8) 21,358 16–16 33 May 12 @ Phillies 7–2 Burnett (2–1) O'Sullivan (0–2) — 20,393 17–16 34 May 13 @ Phillies 2–3 Hamels (3–3) Liriano (1–3) Papelbon (7) 29,576 17–17 35 May 14 @ Phillies 2–4 Harang (4–3) Worley (2–3) Papelbon (8) 29,205 17–18 36 May 15 @ Cubs 10–11 (12) Jackson (2–1) Liz (1–3) — 33,617 17–19 37 May 16 @ Cubs 1–4 Lester (4–2) Cole (5–2) Wood (1) 38,883 17–20 38 May 17 @ Cubs 3–0 Burnett (3–1) Arrieta (4–4) Melancon (9) 36,289 18–20 39 May 19 Twins 5–8 Nolasco (4–1) Liriano (1–4) Perkins (14) 22,357 18–21 40 May 20 Twins 3–4 (13) Duensing (2–0) Bastardo (0–1) Perkins (15) 21,718 18–22 41 May 22 Mets 4–1 Cole (6–2) Syndergaard (1–2) Melancon (10) 33,337 19–22 42 May 23 Mets 8–2 Burnett (4–1) Harvey (5–2) — 39,385 20–22 43 May 24 Mets 9–1 Liriano (2–4) Niese (3–5) — 37,784 21–22 44 May 25 Marlins 4–2 Morton (1–0) Phelps (2–2) Melancon (11) 20,046 22–22 45 May 26 Marlins 5–1 Locke (3–2) Urena (0–1) — 20,806 23–22 46 May 27 Marlins 5–2 Cole (7–2) Dyson (2–2) Melancon (12) 33,238 24–22 47 May 28 @ Padres 11–5 Burnett (5–1) Kennedy (2–5) — 23,104 25–22 48 May 29 @ Padres 2–6 Kimbrel (1–1) Scahill (1–3) — 28,317 25–23 49 May 30 @ Padres 5–2 Morton (2–0) Ross (2–5) Melancon (13) 43,207 26–23 50 May 31 @ Padres 1–7 Despaigne (3–3) Locke (3–3) — 20,556 26–24
June: 17–9 (Home: 9–5; Away: 8–4) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 51 June 1 @ Giants 4–3 Cole (8–2) Vogelsong (4–3) Melancon (14) 41,546 27–24 52 June 2 @ Giants 7–4 Burnett (6–1) Heston (5–4) Melancon (15) 41,913 28–24 53 June 3 @ Giants 5–2 Liriano (3–4) Hudson (3–5) Melancon (16) 41,495 29–24 54 June 5 @ Braves 10–8 Morton (3–0) Avilán (2–1) Melancon (17) 27,508 30–24 55 June 6 @ Braves 4–5 Grilli (1–2) Worley (2–4) — 33,268 30–25 56 June 7 @ Braves 3–0 Cole (9–2) Wood (4–3) Melancon (18) 24,146 31–25 57 June 8 Brewers 0–2 Nelson (3–6) Burnett (6–2) Rodriguez (11) 18,016 31–26 58 June 9 Brewers 1–4 Jungmann (1–0) Liriano (3–5) Rodriguez (12) 20,672 31–27 59 June 10 Brewers 2–0 Morton (4–0) Lohse (3–7) Melancon (19) 26,269 32–27 60 June 12 Phillies 1–0 (13) Bastardo (1–1) McGowan (1–2) — 33,749 33–27 61 June 13 Phillies 4–3 Cole (10–2) O'Sullivan (1–5) Melancon (20) 37,516 34–27 62 June 14 Phillies 1–0 (11) Bastardo (2–1) Papelbon (1–1) — 34,518 35–27 63 June 15 White Sox 11–0 Liriano (4–5) Rodon (2–1) — 24,536 36–27 64 June 16 White Sox 3–0 Morton (5–0) Quintana (3–7) Melancon (21) 28,413 37–27 65 June 17 @ White Sox 3–2 Locke (4–3) Danks (3–7) Melancon (22) 19,194 38–27 66 June 18 @ White Sox 3–2 Cole (11–2) Petricka (1–2) Melancon (23) 21,296 39–27 67 June 19 @ Nationals 1–4 Ross (2–1) Burnett (6–3) Storen (20) 38,935 39–28 68 June 20 @ Nationals 0–6 Scherzer (8–5) Liriano (4–6) — 41,104 39–29 69 June 21 @ Nationals 2–9 Gonzalez (5–4) Morton (5–1) — 40,015 39–30 70 June 23 Reds 7–6 Scahill (2–3) Villarreal (0–2) Melancon (24) 26,949 40–30 71 June 24 Reds 2–5 Leake (5–4) Cole (11–3) Hoover (1) 37,659 40–31 72 June 25 Reds 4–5 (13) Villarreal (1–2) Scahill (2–4) — 35,015 40–32 73 June 26 Braves 3–2 (10) Melancon (1–1) Grilli (2–3) — 34,220 41–32 74 June 27 Braves 8–4 Morton (6–1) Teherán (5–4) — 36,417 42–32 75 June 28 Braves 1–2 Wood (5–5) Locke (4–4) Grilli (21) 36,082 42–33 76 June 30 @ Tigers 5–4 (14) Guerra (1–0) Gorzelanny (1–2) — 33,899 43–33
July: 17–9 (Home: 11–3; Away: 6–6) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 77 July 1 @ Tigers 9–3 Burnett (7–3) Simón (7–5) — 31,351 44–33 78 July 2 @ Tigers 8–4 Liriano (5–6) Ryan (1–2) Melancon (25) 34,680 45–33 79 July 3 Indians 2–5 Bauer (7–5) Morton (6–2) Allen (16) 38,840 45–34 80 July 4 Indians 1–0 Locke (5–4) Anderson (1–1) Melancon (26) 37,928 46–34 81 July 5 Indians 5–3 Cole (12–3) Salazar (7–4) Melancon (27) 36,812 47–34 82 July 6 Padres 2–1 Hughes (2–1) Maurer (5–2) — 23,182 48–34 83 July 7 Padres 3–2 Watson (2–1) Benoit (5–4) Melancon (28) 21,887 49–34 84 July 8 Padres 5–2 Guerra (2–0) Cashner (3–10) Bastardo (1) 25,035 50–34 85 July 9 Cardinals 1–4 Martinez (10–3) Locke (5–5) Rosenthal (26) 35,183 50–35 86 July 10 Cardinals 5–2 Cole (13–3) Lynn (6–5) Melancon (29) 36,825 51–35 87 July 11 Cardinals 6–5 (14) Worley (3–4) Greenwood (0–1) — 37,318 52–35 88 July 12 Cardinals 6–5 (10) Caminero (1–1) Rosenthal (1–2) — 33,544 53–35 – July 14 86th All-Star Game National League vs. American League ( Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio ) 89 July 17 @ Brewers 1–4 Fiers (5–7) Morton (6–3) Rodriguez (20) 32,363 53–36 90 July 18 @ Brewers 5–8 Nelson (7–9) Worley (3–5) Rodriguez (21) 33,104 53–37 91 July 19 @ Brewers 1–6 Jungmann (5–1) Locke (5–6) — 33,835 53–38 92 July 20 @ Royals 10–7 Burnett (8–3) Ventura (4–7) Melancon (30) 38,169 54–38 93 July 21 @ Royals 1–3 Davis (6–1) Cole (13–4) Holland (21) 38,163 54–39 94 July 22 @ Royals 1–5 Vólquez (9–5) Morton (6–4) — 39,105 54–40 95 July 23 Nationals 7–3 Liriano (6–6) Fister (3–6) — 37,799 55–40 96 July 24 Nationals 7–5 Worley (4–5) Solis (1–1) Melancon (31) 38,371 56–40 97 July 25 Nationals 3–9 Gonzalez (8–4) Burnett (8–4) — 38,185 56–41 98 July 26 Nationals 3–1 Cole (14–4) Ross (2–3) Melancon (32) 37,597 57–41 99 July 28 @ Twins 8–7 Melancon (2–1) Perkins (0–3) — 30,795 58–41 100 July 29 @ Twins 10–4 Liriano (7–6) Santana (2–1) — 37,273 59–41 101 July 30 @ Reds 5–15 Holmberg (1–0) Burnett (8–5) — 35,715 59–42 102 July 31 @ Reds 5–4 Locke (6–6) Lorenzen (3–6) Melancon (33) 35,088 60–42
August: 19–8 (Home: 11–4; Away: 8–4) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 103 August 1 @ Reds 3–4 Iglesias (2–3) Cole (14–5) Chapman (22) 42,284 60–43 104 August 2 @ Reds 3–0 Morton (7–4) Sampson (0–1) Soria (24) 39,596 61–43 — August 3 Cubs PPD, RAIN; rescheduled for September 15 105 August 4 Cubs 0–5 Arrieta (12–6) Happ (4–7) — 34,993 61–44 106 August 5 Cubs 7–5 Bastardo (3–1) Wood (5–4) Melancon (34) 35,759 62–44 107 August 7 Dodgers 5–4 (10) Bastardo (4–1) Johnson (2–4) — 39,404 63–44 108 August 8 Dodgers 6–5 Blanton (3–2) Latos (4–8) Melancon (35) 38,981 64–44 109 August 9 Dodgers 13–6 Caminero (2–1) Johnson (2–5) — 37,094 65–44 110 August 11 @ Cardinals 3–4 Martinez (12–4) Locke (6–7) Rosenthal (34) 41,273 65–45 111 August 12 @ Cardinals 2–4 Wacha (14–4) Cole (14–6) Rosenthal (35) 41,493 65–46 112 August 13 @ Cardinals 10–5 Liriano (8–6) Lynn (9–7) — 41,501 66–46 113 August 14 @ Mets 3–2 (10) Caminero (3–1) Parnell (1–2) Melancon (36) 38,495 67–46 114 August 15 @ Mets 5–3 (14) Blanton (4–2) Gilmartin (1–1) Melancon (37) 38,878 68–46 115 August 16 @ Mets 8–1 Caminero (4–1) Parnell (1–3) — 40,250 69–46 116 August 17 Diamondbacks 1–4 Hellickson (9–8) Cole (14–7) Ziegler (21) 27,365 69–47 117 August 18 Diamondbacks 9–8 (15) Blanton (5–2) Hessler (0–1) — 24,975 70–47 118 August 19 Diamondbacks 4–1 Happ (5–7) Ray (3–9) Melancon (38) 32,088 71–47 119 August 20 Giants 4–0 Morton (8–4) Peavy (3–6) — 36,671 72–47 120 August 21 Giants 4–6 Bumgarner (15–6) Locke (6–8) Casilla (30) 37,692 72–48 121 August 22 Giants 3–2 Melancon (3–1) Kontos (2–2) — 38,259 73–48 122 August 23 Giants 5–2 Liriano (9–6) Vogelsong (9–9) Melancon (39) 31,364 74–48 123 August 24 @ Marlins 5–2 Happ (6–7) Koehler (8–12) Melancon (40) 17,644 75–48 124 August 25 @ Marlins 2–5 Hand (4–3) Morton (8–5) Ramos (22) 17,371 75–49 125 August 26 @ Marlins 7–2 Locke (7–8) Narveson (1–1) — 16,560 76–49 126 August 27 @ Marlins 2–1 Cole (15–7) Nicolino (2–2) Melancon (41) 19,950 77–49 127 August 28 Rockies 5–3 Watson (3–1) Oberg (3–3) Melancon (42) 32,607 78–49 128 August 29 Rockies 4–3 Happ (7–7) Rusin (4–7) Melancon (43) 35,838 79–49 129 August 30 Rockies 0–5 de la Rosa (8–6) Morton (8–6) — 36,271 79–50
September: 17–13 (Home: 5–6; Away: 12–7) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 130 September 1 @ Brewers 4–7 Nelson (11–10) Cole (15–8) Rodríguez (32) 18,468 79–51 131 September 2 @ Brewers 4–9 Jeffress (4–0) Locke (7–9) — 24,521 79–52 132 September 3 @ Brewers 3–5 Jungmann (9–5) Liriano (9–7) Rodríguez (33) 22,242 79–53 133 September 4 @ Cardinals 9–3 Happ (8–7) Martinez (13–7) — 44,338 80–53 134 September 5 @ Cardinals 1–4 García (8–4) Morton (8–7) — 45,139 80–54 135 September 6 @ Cardinals 7–1 Cole (16–8) Lackey (11–9) — 46,011 81–54 136 September 7 @ Reds 1–3 DeSclafani (8–10) Locke (7–10) Chapman (29) 19,241 81–55 137 September 8 @ Reds 7–3 Liriano (10–7) Iglesias (3–7) — 16,151 82–55 138 September 9 @ Reds 5–4 Happ (9–7) Sampson (2–4) Melancon (44) 19,620 83–55 139 September 10 Brewers 4–6 (13) Rodríguez (1–3) Liz (1–4) Lohse (2) 21,964 83–56 140 September 11 Brewers 6–3 Morton (9–7) Nelson (11–12) Melancon (45) 28,346 84–56 141 September 12 Brewers 10–2 Locke (8–10) Davies (1–1) — 35,749 85–56 142 September 13 Brewers 7–6 (11) Hughes (3–1) Thornburg (0–1) — 34,740 86–56 143 September 15 Cubs 5–4 Watson (4–1) Grimm (3–5) Melancon (46) 31,488 87–56 144 September 15 Cubs 1–2 Lester (10–10) Happ (9–8) — 25,914 87–57 145 September 16 Cubs 2–3 (12) Rondón (6–4) Worley (4–6) — 31,945 87–58 146 September 17 Cubs 6–9 Richard (4–2) Morton (9–8) Wood (2) 28,228 87–59 147 September 18 @ Dodgers 2–6 Greinke (18–3) Locke (8–11) — 49,529 87–60 148 September 19 @ Dodgers 3–2 Liriano (11–7) Kershaw (14–7) Melancon (47) 49,441 88–60 149 September 20 @ Dodgers 4–3 Cole (17–8) Bolsinger (6–4) Melancon (48) 47,483 89–60 150 September 21 @ Rockies 9–3 Burnett (9–5) Gray (0–2) — 23,187 90–60 151 September 22 @ Rockies 6–3 Happ (10–8) Rusin (5–9) Melancon (49) 23,433 91–60 152 September 23 @ Rockies 13–7 Blanton (6–2) Bergman (3–1) — 23,526 92–60 153 September 24 @ Rockies 5–4 Blanton (7–2) Diaz (0–1) Melancon (50) 25,163 93–60 154 September 25 @ Cubs 3–2 Cole (18–8) Lester (10–12) Melancon (51) 40,432 94–60 155 September 26 @ Cubs 4–0 Liriano (12–7) Hammel (9–7) — 41,150 95–60 156 September 27 @ Cubs 0–4 Arrieta (21–6) Burnett (9–6) — 40,617 95–61 157 September 28 Cardinals 0–3 Broxton (4–5) Melancon (3–2) Rosenthal (48) 30,198 95–62 — September 29 Cardinals PPD, RAIN; rescheduled for September 30 158 September 30 Cardinals 8–2 Cole (19–8) Wacha (17–7) — 29,747 96–62 159 September 30 Cardinals 1–11 Lyons (3–1) Morton (9–9) — 34,729 96–63
October: 2–1 (Home: 2–1; Away: 0–0) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 160 October 2 Reds 6–4 (12) Caminero (5–1) Balester (1–1) — 31,442 97–63 161 October 3 Reds 1–3 Finnegan (5–2) Burnett (9–7) Chapman (33) 34,180 97–64 162 October 4 Reds 4–0 Happ (11–8) Smith (0–4) — 35,362 98–64
Legend:       = Win       = Loss       = Postponement Bold = Pirates team member

Postseason

Wild Card Game

Main article: 2015 National League Wild Card Game

• October 7 – National League Wild Card game – Chicago's Jake Arrieta pitched a complete game, striking out eleven batters and allowing only five hits. The Cubs were paced offensively by Dexter Fowler and Kyle Schwarber, both combining for five hits in seven at bats, each with a home run. Pittsburgh starter Gerrit Cole gave up two home runs in a game for the first time in the season. Cole lasted five innings, striking out four. ^[15]

Game log

2015 Postseason Game Log (0–1)
2015 NL Wild Card Game: vs. Chicago Cubs (0–1) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Series 1 October 7 Cubs 0–4 Arrieta (1–0) Cole (0–1) — 40,889 0–1
Legend:       = Win       = Loss Bold = Pirates team member

Playoff rosters
National League Wild Card Game Pitchers: 35 Mark Melancon 37 Arquimedes Caminero 38 Joakim Soria 44 Tony Watson 45 Gerrit Cole 47 Francisco Liriano 48 Jared Hughes 55 Joe Blanton 59 Antonio Bastardo Catchers: 19 Chris Stewart 29 Francisco Cervelli 66 Elías Díaz Infielders: 3 Sean Rodriguez 5 Josh Harrison 10 Jordy Mercer 17 Aramis Ramírez 18 Neil Walker 24 Pedro Álvarez 31 Michael Morse 51 Pedro Florimón Outfielders: 6 Starling Marte 22 Andrew McCutchen 23 Travis Snider 25 Gregory Polanco 60 Keon Broxton

Roster

2015 Pittsburgh Pirates
Roster
Pitchers 59 Antonio Bastardo 55 Joe Blanton 34 A. J. Burnett 37 Arquimedes Caminero 45 Gerrit Cole 64 Deolis Guerra 32 J. A. Happ 48 Jared Hughes 39 Bobby LaFromboise 47 Francisco Liriano 58 Radhames Liz 49 Jeff Locke 35 Mark Melancon 50 Charlie Morton 65 Casey Sadler 52 Rob Scahill 38 Joakim Soria 38 Chris Volstad 44 Tony Watson 46 Vance Worley		Catchers 29 Francisco Cervelli 66 Elías Díaz 26 Tony Sanchez 19 Chris Stewart Infielders 24 Pedro Alvarez 17,23,51 Pedro Florimón  5 Josh Harrison 12 Corey Hart 30 Travis Ishikawa 27 Jung-ho Kang 23 Steve Lombardozzi Jr. 10 Jordy Mercer 53 Brent Morel 31 Mike Morse 17 Aramis Ramírez  3 Sean Rodriguez 18 Neil Walker		Outfielders 60 Keon Broxton 14 Jaff Decker 51 Gorkys Hernández 15 Andrew Lambo  6 Starling Marté 22 Andrew McCutchen 25 Gregory Polanco 23 Travis Snider 31 José Tábata		Manager 13 Clint Hurdle Coaches 86 Heberto Andrade (bullpen catcher) 36 Brad Fischer (bench coach)  2 Jeff Branson (hitting) 85 Dave Jauss (coach)  7 Frank Kremblas (special assistant) 16 Nick Leyva (first base) 75 Jeff Livesey (assistant hitting) 56 Euclides Rojas (bullpen) 54 Ray Searage (pitching) 41 Rick Sofield (third base)

Opening Day lineup

Opening Day Starters
Name	Position
Josh Harrison	3B
Gregory Polanco	RF
Andrew McCutchen	CF
Neil Walker	2B
Starling Marte	LF
Pedro Álvarez	1B
Francisco Cervelli	C
Jordy Mercer	SS
Francisco Liriano	SP

Disabled lists

15-day disabled list

Player	Injury	Placed	Activated
Brandon Cumpton	Tommy John surgery recovery	March 27, 2015	May 16, 2015
Chris Stewart	Right hamstring	March 27, 2015	April 17, 2015
Justin Sellers	Left heel	March 27, 2015	May 19, 2015
Jaff Decker	Left calf strain	March 30, 2015	April 18, 2015
Charlie Morton	Right hip	April 5, 2015	May 25, 2015
Andrew Lambo	Plantar fasciitis in his left foot	May 4, 2015	June 26, 2015
Corey Hart	Left Shoulder Impingement	June 24, 2015	July 20, 2015
Rob Scahill	Right forearm tightness	June 26, 2015	September 1, 2015
Josh Harrison	Left thumb injury	July 6, 2015	August 21, 2015
Gorkys Hernández	Left shoulder discomfort	July 13, 2015	July 30, 2015
Jordy Mercer	Left knee MCL sprain	July 20, 2015	August 23, 2015
A. J. Burnett	Right elbow inflammation	July 31, 2015	September 10, 2015
Deolis Guerra	Left knee inflammation	August 7, 2015	September 2, 2015
Travis Ishikawa	Lower back strain	August 20, 2015	September 7, 2015

60-day disabled list

Player	Injury	Placed	Activated
Brandon Cumpton	Tommy John surgery recovery	May 16, 2015	October 8, 2015
Justin Sellers	Left heel	May 19, 2015	July 30, 2015
Andrew Lambo	Plantar fasciitis in his left foot	June 26, 2015	October 8, 2015
Corey Hart	Left shoulder impingement	July 20, 2015	October 8, 2015
Casey Sadler	Right forearm strain	September 1, 2015	October 8, 2015
Deolis Guerra	Left knee inflammation	September 2, 2015	October 8, 2015
Jung-ho Kang	Torn lateral meniscus/fractured tibia (left)	September 21, 2015	October 8, 2015

Notable achievements

Awards

2015 Baseball America Organization of the Year 2015 National League Saves Leader Mark Melancon 2015 Roberto Clemente Award Andrew McCutchen 2015 Trevor Hoffman Award Mark Melancon Silver Slugger Award Andrew McCutchen Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award Starling Marte (LF) 2015 Major League Baseball All-Star Game [16] A. J. Burnett, P, reserve Gerrit Cole, P, reserve Andrew McCutchen, OF, reserve (starting in place of Giancarlo Stanton) Mark Melancon, P, reserve NL Pitcher of the Month Gerrit Cole (April) [17] NL Rookie of the Month Jung-ho Kang (July) [8] NL Player of the Week Andrew McCutchen (May 18–24) [3] Andrew McCutchen (August 3–9) [9] NL Player of the Month Andrew McCutchen (August)

Esurance MLB Awards Award Player Result MLB Best Major Leaguer Andrew McCutchen Nominated MLB Best Everyday Player Andrew McCutchen Nominated MLB Best Starting Pitcher Gerrit Cole Nominated MLB Best Rookie Jung-ho Kang Nominated

Milestones

Regular Season Player Milestone Reached J. Kang 1st Career MLB Game April 8, 2015 J. Kang 1st Career MLB Hit April 12, 2015 C. Hart 1,000th Career MLB Hit April 13, 2015 J. Kang 1st Career MLB RBI April 21, 2015 M. Melancon 300th Career MLB Game April 24, 2015 F. Liriano 200th Career MLB Game Started April 26, 2015 A. McCutchen 1,000th Career MLB Hit April 29, 2015 P. Álvarez 500th Career MLB Hit May 2, 2015 J. Kang 1st Career MLB Home Run May 3, 2015 A. Burnett 2,400th Career MLB Strike Out May 7, 2015 P. Álvarez 100th Career MLB Double June 9, 2015 J. Hughes 200th Career MLB Game June 9, 2015 A. McCutchen 500th Career MLB RBI June 13, 2015 J. Tábata 500th Career MLB Game June 14, 2015 A. Bastardo 300th Career MLB Game June 25, 2015 V. Worley 500th Career MLB Inning Pitched July 11, 2015 S. Marte 100th Career MLB Stolen Base July 17, 2015 V. Worley 100th Career MLB Game July 18, 2015 T. Watson 300th Career MLB Game July 20, 2015 M. Melancon 100th Career MLB Save July 20, 2015 A. McCutchen 500th Career MLB Walk August 5, 2015 J. Kang 100th Career MLB Game August 18, 2015 A. Ramirez 1,400th Career MLB RBI August 21, 2015 J. Kang 100th Career MLB Hit August 22, 2015 A. McCutchen 1,000th Career MLB Game August 24, 2015

Statistics

Players

Final stats for 2015

Batting

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Regular Season [18] Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI T. Sanchez 3 8 3 0.375 0 0 F. Cervelli 130 451 133 0.295 7 43 A. McCutchen 157 566 165 0.292 23 96 J. Tábata ‡ 27 38 11 0.289 0 4 C. Stewart 58 159 46 0.289 0 15 J. Kang 126 421 121 0.287 15 58 J. Harrison 114 418 120 0.287 4 28 S. Marte 153 579 166 0.287 19 81 B. Morel ‡ 3 7 2 0.286 0 1 M. Morse † 45 69 19 0.275 1 7 N. Walker 151 543 146 0.269 16 71 G. Polanco 153 593 152 0.256 9 52 S. Rodriguez 139 224 55 0.246 4 17 A. Ramírez † 56 196 48 0.245 6 33 J. Mercer 116 394 96 0.244 3 34 P. Álvarez 150 437 106 0.243 27 77 T. Ishikawa † 38 58 13 0.224 1 8 C. Hart 35 54 12 0.222 2 9 J. Decker 23 28 6 0.214 0 1 T. Snider † 18 26 5 0.192 1 8 V. Worley 23 17 3 0.176 0 0 F. Liriano 29 65 11 0.169 1 7 G. Cole 30 60 9 0.150 0 2 A. Burnett 24 42 5 0.119 1 5 J. Happ † 11 22 2 0.091 0 0 P. Florimón 24 23 2 0.087 0 1 J. Locke 29 45 3 0.067 0 2 A. Lambo 20 25 1 0.040 0 0 C. Morton 21 36 1 0.028 0 1 A. Bastardo 61 2 0 0.000 0 0 J. Blanton † 21 3 0 0.000 0 0 K. Broxton 7 2 0 0.000 0 0 E. Diaz 2 2 0 0.000 0 0 D. Guerra 8 1 0 0.000 0 0 G. Hernández 8 5 0 0.000 0 0 R. Liz 14 1 0 0.000 0 0 S. Lombardozzi 12 10 0 0.000 0 0 C. Sadler 1 1 0 0.000 0 0 A. Caminero 67 0 0 — 0 0 J. Hughes 71 0 0 — 0 0 B. LaFromboise 11 0 0 — 0 0 M. Melancon 72 0 0 — 0 0 R. Scahill 28 0 0 — 0 0 J. Soria † 29 0 0 — 0 0 C. Volstad 1 0 0 — 0 0 T. Watson 72 0 0 — 0 0 Team Totals 162 5,631 1,462 0.260 140 661

Post Season [19] Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI M. Morse 1 1 1 1.000 0 0 T. Snider 1 1 1 1.000 0 0 A. McCutchen 1 4 2 0.500 0 0 F. Cervelli 1 3 1 0.333 0 0 P. Álvarez 1 3 0 0.000 0 0 G. Cole 1 1 0 0.000 0 0 J. Harrison 1 3 0 0.000 0 0 S. Marte 1 4 0 0.000 0 0 J. Mercer 1 2 0 0.000 0 0 G. Polanco 1 4 0 0.000 0 0 A. Ramírez 1 1 0 0.000 0 0 N. Walker 1 3 0 0.000 0 0 A. Bastardo 1 0 0 — 0 0 M. Melancon 1 0 0 — 0 0 S. Rodriguez 1 0 0 — 0 0 J. Soria 1 0 0 — 0 0 T. Watson 1 0 0 — 0 0 Team Totals 1 30 5 0.167 0 0

Pitching

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Regular Season [20] Player G IP W L ERA SO J. Decker 1 1 0 0 0.00 0 C. Volstad 1 2 0 0 0.00 0 B. LaFromboise 11 8 0 0 1.13 8 J. Blanton † 21 341⁄3 5 0 1.57 39 J. Happ † 11 631⁄3 7 2 1.85 69 T. Watson 77 751⁄3 4 1 1.91 62 J. Soria † 29 262⁄3 0 0 2.03 28 M. Melancon 78 762⁄3 3 2 2.23 62 J. Hughes 76 67 3 1 2.28 36 G. Cole 32 208 19 8 2.60 202 R. Scahill 28 302⁄3 2 4 2.64 24 A. Bastardo 66 571⁄3 4 1 2.98 64 A. Burnett 26 164 9 7 3.18 143 F. Liriano 31 1862⁄3 12 7 3.38 205 C. Sadler 1 5 1 0 3.60 5 A. Caminero 73 742⁄3 5 1 3.62 73 V. Worley 23 712⁄3 4 6 4.02 49 R. Liz 14 231⁄3 1 4 4.24 27 J. Locke 30 1681⁄3 8 11 4.49 129 C. Morton 23 129 9 9 4.81 96 D. Guerra 10 162⁄3 2 0 6.48 17 Team Totals 162 1,4892⁄3 98 64 3.21 1,338

Post Season [21] Player G IP W L ERA SO A. Bastardo 1 1 0 0 0.00 2 M. Melancon 1 1 0 0 0.00 0 J. Soria 1 1 0 0 0.00 3 T. Watson 1 1 0 0 0.00 1 G. Cole 1 5 0 1 7.20 4 Team Totals 1 9 0 1 4.00 10

Legend

– Stats reflect time with the Pirates only.
^† – Denotes player was acquired during season.
^‡ – Denotes player was relinquished during season.
– Injured reserve.
 Bold  – Qualified for batting title (3.1 plate appearances per team game) or ERA title (1 inning pitched per team game)

Transactions

The Pirates were involved in the following transactions during the 2015 season:

• Black line marks the transition between off season and regular season

Trades

November 11, 2014 [22]	To Colorado Rockies: Shane Carle	To Pittsburgh Pirates: Rob Scahill
November 12, 2014 [23]	To New York Yankees: Justin Wilson	To Pittsburgh Pirates: Francisco Cervelli
November 23, 2014 [24]	To Oakland A's: Ike Davis	To Pittsburgh Pirates: International Signing Bonus Money
December 1, 2014 [25]	To Tampa Bay Rays: PTBNL or Cash Considerations [Note 1]	To Pittsburgh Pirates: Sean Rodriguez
December 10, 2014 [26]	To Philadelphia Phillies: Joely Rodriguez	To Pittsburgh Pirates: Antonio Bastardo
January 27, 2015 [27]	To Baltimore Orioles: Travis Snider	To Pittsburgh Pirates: Stephen Tarpley PTBNL [Note 2]
February 3, 2015 [28]	To Baltimore Orioles: Cash Considerations	To Pittsburgh Pirates: Steve Lombardozzi Jr.
February 4, 2015 [29]	To Miami Marlins: Cash Considerations	To Pittsburgh Pirates: Arquimedes Caminero
February 5, 2015 [30]	To Atlanta Braves: Bryton Trepagnier	To Pittsburgh Pirates: Edward Salcedo
April 2, 2015 [31]	To Milwaukee Brewers: PTBNL	To Pittsburgh Pirates: Hunter Morris
May 10, 2015	To Toronto Blue Jays: Cash Considerations	To Pittsburgh Pirates: Jayson Aquino
July 3, 2015	To Chicago Cubs: Clayton Richard	To Pittsburgh Pirates: Cash Considerations
July 23, 2015 [32]	To Milwaukee Brewers: Yhonathan Barrios	To Pittsburgh Pirates: Aramis Ramírez Cash Considerations
July 29, 2015 [33]	To Cleveland Indians: Jayson Aquino	To Pittsburgh Pirates: Cash Considerations
July 29, 2015 [34]	To Kansas City Royals: Cash Considerations	To Pittsburgh Pirates: Joe Blanton
July 30, 2015 [35]	To Chicago White Sox: Justin Sellers	To Pittsburgh Pirates: Cash Considerations or PTBNL
July 30, 2015 [36]	To Detroit Tigers: JaCoby Jones	To Pittsburgh Pirates: Joakim Soria
July 31, 2015 [37]	To Seattle Mariners: Adrian Sampson	To Pittsburgh Pirates: J. A. Happ
July 31, 2015 [38]	To Los Angeles Dodgers: José Tábata	To Pittsburgh Pirates: Michael Morse Cash Considerations

Notes

• ¹ – Buddy Borden fulfilled on December 12, 2014.
• ² – Steven Brault fulfilled on February 20, 2015.

Free agents

Player	Acquired from	Lost to	Date	Contract terms
Dean Anna		St. Louis Cardinals	November 11, 2014	1 year
A. J. Burnett [39]	Philadelphia Phillies		November 14, 2014	1 year/$8.5 million
Russell Martin [40]		Toronto Blue Jays	November 17, 2014	5 year/$82 million
Blake Wood [41]		Kansas City Royals	November 17, 2014	Minor league contract [A]
Brad Lincoln [41]		Philadelphia Phillies	November 17, 2014	Minor league contract [A]
Deolis Guerra [41]		Minnesota Twins	November 17, 2014	Minor league contract [A]
Gustavo Nunez [41]		Atlanta Braves	November 17, 2014	Minor league contract [A]
Jeremy Bleich [41]		New York Yankees	November 17, 2014	Minor league contract [A]
Radhames Liz	Toronto Blue Jays		November 19, 2014	Minor league contract
Jacob Brigham		Atlanta Braves	November 20, 2014	Minor league contract
Sebastian Valle	Philadelphia Phillies		November 20, 2014	Minor league contract [A]
Ernesto Frieri [42]		Tampa Bay Rays	November 26, 2014	1 year/$800,000
Deibinson Romero	Minnesota Twins		December 1, 2014	Minor league contract [A]
Gorkys Hernández	Chicago White Sox		December 1, 2014	Minor league contract [A]
Wirfin Obispo		Milwaukee Brewers	December 2, 2014	Minor league contract
Clayton Richard	Arizona Diamondbacks		December 3, 2014	Minor league contract [A]
Clint Barmes [43]		San Diego Padres	December 4, 2014	1 year/$1.6 million
Thomas Field		Texas Rangers	December 16, 2014	Minor league contract [A]
Edinson Vólquez		Kansas City Royals	December 17, 2014	2 year
Corey Hart [44]	Seattle Mariners		December 19, 2014	1 year/$2.5 million
Adam Wilk		Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim	December 23, 2014	Minor league contract [A]
Omir Santos		Washington Nationals	December 29, 2014	Minor league contract
Nevin Ashley		Milwaukee Brewers	January 5, 2015	Minor league contract [A]
Charlie Leesman	Chicago White Sox		January 9, 2015	Minor league contract [A]
Wilfredo Boscán	Boston Red Sox		January 9, 2015	Minor league contract [A]
Josh Stinson		Kia Tigers (KBO League)	January 11, 2015	1 year
Jeanmar Gómez		Philadelphia Phillies	January 12, 2015	Minor league contract [A]
Jarek Cunningham		Los Angeles Dodgers	January 23, 2015	Minor league contract
Chris Volstad	Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim		January 28, 2015	Minor league contract [A]
Wilkin Castillo [45]	Los Angeles Dodgers		January 28, 2015	Minor league contract [A]
John Axford		Colorado Rockies	February 2, 2015	Minor league contract [A]
Rafael Perez		Seattle Mariners	February 2, 2015	Minor league contract [A]
Jake Elmore		Tampa Bay Rays	February 9, 2015	Minor league contract [A]
Frank Herrmann	Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim		August 16, 2015	Minor league contract
Travis Snider	Baltimore Orioles		August 20, 2015	Minor league contract

Waivers

Player	Claimed from	Lost to	Date
Jake Elmore [46]	Cincinnati Reds		November 7, 2014
Pedro Florimón	Washington Nationals		November 20, 2014
Josh Lindblom [47]	Oakland Athletics		December 8, 2014
Preston Guilmet		Toronto Blue Jays	December 23, 2014
Stolmy Pimentel		Texas Rangers	April 11, 2015
Travis Ishikawa [48]	San Francisco Giants		July 5, 2015

Signings

Player	Date	Contract terms
Felipe González	November 18, 2014	Minor league contract
Junior Sosa	November 18, 2014	Minor league contract
Marek Minárik	November 18, 2014	Minor league contract
Tyler Sample	November 18, 2014	Minor league contract
Miguel Pérez	November 20, 2014	Minor league contract
Francisco Diaz	December 4, 2014	Minor league contract
Francisco Liriano	December 10, 2014	3 year/$39 million
Radhames Liz	December 12, 2014	1 year
Adrian Sampson	January 9, 2015	Minor league contract [A]
Gift Ngoepe	January 9, 2015	Minor league contract [A]
Keon Broxton	January 9, 2015	Minor league contract [A]
Mel Rojas Jr.	January 9, 2015	Minor league contract [A]
Stetson Allie	January 9, 2015	Minor league contract [A]
Tyler Glasnow	January 9, 2015	Minor league contract [A]
Antonio Bastardo	January 16, 2015	1 year/$3.1 million
Chris Stewart	January 16, 2015	1 year/$1.2 million
Francisco Cervelli	January 16, 2015	1 year/$987,000
Josh Harrison	January 16, 2015	1 year/$2.8 million
Jung-ho Kang	January 16, 2015	4 year/$11 million
Mark Melancon	January 16, 2015	1 year/$5.4 million
Sean Rodriguez	January 16, 2015	1 year/$1.9 million
Tony Watson	January 16, 2015	1 year/$1.7 million
Travis Snider	January 16, 2015	1 year/$2.1 million
Jared Hughes	January 16, 2015	1 year/$1.1 million
Josh Wall	January 30, 2015	Minor league contract [A]
Neil Walker	February 7, 2015	1 year/$8 million
Vance Worley	February 10, 2015	1 year/$2.45 million
Vince Deyzel	February 12, 2015	Minor league contract
Pedro Álvarez	February 19, 2015	1 year/$5.75 million
Alen Hanson	March 4, 2015	1 year
Andrew Lambo	March 4, 2015	1 year
Arquimedes Caminero	March 4, 2015	1 year
Bobby LaFromboise	March 4, 2015	1 year
Brandon Cumpton	March 4, 2015	1 year
Casey Sadler	March 4, 2015	1 year
Elías Díaz	March 4, 2015	1 year
Gerrit Cole	March 4, 2015	1 year
Gregory Polanco	March 4, 2015	1 year
Jaff Decker	March 4, 2015	1 year
Jameson Taillon	March 4, 2015	1 year
Jeff Locke	March 4, 2015	1 year
John Holdzkom	March 4, 2015	1 year
Jordy Mercer	March 4, 2015	1 year
Justin Sellers	March 4, 2015	1 year
Nick Kingham	March 4, 2015	1 year
Pedro Florimón	March 4, 2015	1 year
Rob Scahill	March 4, 2015	1 year
Stolmy Pimentel	March 4, 2015	1 year
Tony Sanchez	March 4, 2015	1 year
Willy García	March 4, 2015	1 year
Josh Harrison	April 8, 2015	3 year

Other

Name	Date	Details
Brad Fischer	November 5, 2014	Hired to Coaching Staff
Ramon Cabrera	November 24, 2014	Released
Andy Oliver	December 11, 2014	Lost in Rule 5 Major League Draft (to Phillies)
Luis Urena	December 11, 2014	Lost in Rule 5 AAA Draft (to Rays)
Tyler Waldron	December 11, 2014	Lost in Rule 5 AAA Draft (to Cardinals)
Josh Lindblom	December 19, 2014	Released
Jamey Carroll	January 12, 2015	Hired as Special Assistant to Baseball Operations
Brian Esposito	January 15, 2015	Hired as Minor League Manager
Dru Scott	January 15, 2015	Hired as AA Trainer
Furey Leva	January 15, 2015	Hired as AA Strength And Conditioning Coach
Justin Meccage	January 15, 2015	Promoted to AA Pitching Coach
Kevin Riggs	January 15, 2015	Hired as AA Hitting Coach
Mendy López	January 15, 2015	Hired as Dominican League Manager
Michael Ryan	January 15, 2015	Hired as Minor League Manager
Tom Prince	January 15, 2015	Promoted to AA Manager
Wyatt Toregas	January 15, 2015	Hired as Minor League Manager
Michael Clemens	January 16, 2015	Released (From R)
Drew Maggi	March 9, 2015	Released (From AA)
Kevin Ross	March 10, 2015	Released (From A)
Walker Gourley	March 11, 2015	Retired (From Adv A)
Carlos Ruiz	March 20, 2015	Released (From R)
Chris Peacock	March 25, 2015	Released
Ashley Ponce	March 26, 2015	Released (From Adv A)
Nate Baker	March 26, 2015	Released (From AA)
Ryan Beckman	March 26, 2015	Released (From AA)
Zach Von Rosenberg	March 26, 2015	Released (From A)
D.J. Crumlich	March 31, 2015	Released (From Adv A)
Matt Nevarez	March 31, 2015	Released (From AA)
Andrew Dennis	April 1, 2015	Released (From R)
Colter Moore	April 1, 2015	Released (From R)
Raul Fortunato	April 1, 2015	Released (From Adv A)
Remy De Aza	April 1, 2015	Released (From R)
Will Kendall	April 1, 2015	Released (From A)
Danny Collins	April 1, 2015	Released (From A)
Joan Montero	April 1, 2015	Released
Taylor Lewis	April 1, 2015	Released
Dwight Childs	April 5, 2015	Released (From AA)
Miguel Perez	April 5, 2015	Released (From AA)
Stolmy Pimentel	April 10, 2015	Waived
Cory Rhodes	April 13, 2015	Released (From R)
Jonathan Sandfort	April 13, 2015	Released (From R)

Legend

• ^A – invited to training camp

Draft picks

Main article: 2015 Major League Baseball draft

2015 Top 10 Rounds Draft Picks ^[49]

Rd	#	Player	Pos	DOB and Age	School	Signed
1	19	Kevin Newman	SS	(1993-08-04)August 4, 1993 (aged 21)	University of Arizona (AZ)	June 15, 2015
CB A	32 [a]	Ke'Bryan Hayes	3B	(1997-01-28)January 28, 1997 (aged 18)	Concordia Lutheran High School (TX)	June 16, 2015
2	62	Kevin Kramer	SS	(1993-10-03)October 3, 1993 (aged 21)	University of California, Los Angeles (CA)	June 16, 2015
3	96	Casey Hughston	LF	(1994-06-09)June 9, 1994 (aged 20)	University of Alabama (AL)	June 18, 2015
4	127	Jacob Taylor	RHP	(1995-07-05)July 5, 1995 (aged 19)	Pearl River Community College (MS)	June 18, 2015
5	157	Brandon Waddell	LHP	(1994-06-03)June 3, 1994 (aged 21)	University of Virginia (VA)	July 16, 2015
6	187	J. T. Brubaker	RHP	(1993-11-17)November 17, 1993 (aged 21)	University of Akron (OH)	June 12, 2015
7	217	Mitchell Tolman	3B	(1994-06-04)June 4, 1994 (aged 21)	University of Oregon (OR)	June 18, 2015
8	247	Seth McGarry	RHP	(1994-01-05)January 5, 1994 (aged 21)	Florida Atlantic University (FL)	June 12, 2015
9	277	Bret Helton	RHP	(1993-07-25)July 25, 1993 (aged 21)	University of Utah (UT)	June 12, 2015
10	307	Logan Sendelbach	RHP	(1994-05-05)May 5, 1994 (aged 21)	Tiffin University (OH)	June 18, 2015

Notes

• ^a Compensation pick for the Toronto Blue Jays signing Russell Martin.

Farm system

Level	Team	League	Manager
AAA	Indianapolis Indians	International League	Dean Treanor
AA	Altoona Curve	Eastern League	Tom Prince
A	Bradenton Marauders	Florida State League	Michael Ryan
A	West Virginia Power	South Atlantic League	Brian Esposito
A-Short Season	West Virginia Black Bears	New York–Penn League	Wyatt Toregas
Rookie	Bristol Pirates	Appalachian League	Edgar Varela
Rookie	GCL Pirates	Gulf Coast League	Milver Reyes
Rookie	DSL Pirates	Dominican Summer League	Mendy López

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: West Virginia Black Bears ^[50]

References

1. From 1882–1906, the team played in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, which became annexed by Pittsburgh as the North Side in 1907.
2. "MLB Attendance Report – 2015". ESPN. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
3. "Ryan Braun and Andrew McCutchen named National League Co-Players of the Week". MLB. May 26, 2015.
4. "Pirates' Hurdle reaches win milestone". Fox Sports. June 13, 2015. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
5. "Pirates no-hit by Scherzer, hit batter prevents perfect game". Associated Press. June 20, 2015. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
6. "2015 All-Star Game rosters announced". MLB. July 6, 2015.
7. "Standings and Games on Monday, July 13, 2015". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
8. Boor, William (August 3, 2015). "Kang nets NL Rookie of Month with hot July". MLB.
9. "Andrew McCutchen of the Pittsburgh Pirates named National League Player of the Week". MLB. August 10, 2015.
10. Perry, Dayn (September 20, 2015). "Mark Melancon sets Pirates single-season record with 47th save". CBS Sports. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
11. "Pirates beat Rockies to clinch third straight playoff spot". Sportsnet. September 24, 2015. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
12. "Pirates rally to beat Rockies, earn 10,000th win". Associated Press. September 24, 2015. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
13. Stephen, Eric (September 30, 2015). "St. Louis Cardinals win 100th game, clinch NL Central". SB Nation. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
14. "2015 Pittsburgh Pirates Sortable Schedule". Pittsburgh Pirates. Archived from the original on September 21, 2014.
15. Muskat, Carrie; Singer, Tom (October 8, 2015). "Deja adieu: Cubs' ace bounces Bucs". mlb.com. MLB Advanced Media, LP. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
16. "2015 All-Star Game rosters announced". MLB. July 6, 2015.
17. "Gerrit Cole of the Pittsburgh Pirates voted National League Pitcher of the Month for April". MLB. May 4, 2015.
18. "Major League Baseball Stats". Pittsburgh Pirates. Archived from the original on October 12, 2014. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
19. "Major League Baseball Stats". Pittsburgh Pirates. Archived from the original on October 12, 2014. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
20. "Major League Baseball Stats". Pittsburgh Pirates. Archived from the original on October 12, 2014. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
21. "Major League Baseball Stats". Pittsburgh Pirates. Archived from the original on October 12, 2014. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
22. Kruth, Cash (November 12, 2014). "Pirates acquire righty Scahill from Rockies". Pittsburgh Pirates. Archived from the original on November 13, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
23. Singer, Tom; Bloom, Barry M. (November 12, 2014). "Yankees trade Cervelli to Pirates for left-hander Wilson". Pittsburgh Pirates. Archived from the original on November 13, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
24. "Pirates trade first baseman Ike Davis to the A's". November 23, 2014.
25. Singer, Tom (December 1, 2014). "Pirates acquire infielder Rodriguez from Rays". Pittsburgh Pirates. Archived from the original on December 3, 2014.
26. Singer, Tom; Bloom, Barry M. (December 10, 2014). "Bastardo trades Pennyslvania[sic] zip codes, joins Pirates". Pittsburgh Pirates. Archived from the original on December 15, 2014.
27. "Orioles acquire outfielder Travis Snider in trade with Pirates".
28. "ISportsWeb - All About Sport 2021". Archived from the original on February 8, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
29. McCalvy, Adam (February 4, 2015). "Pirates intensify 'pen competition, acquire Caminero". MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 5, 2015. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
30. Emery, Mark (February 5, 2015). "Pittsburgh Pirates deal pitching prospect Bryton Trepagnier to Atlanta Braves for third baseman/right fielder Edward Salcedo". MiLB.com.
31. "Pirates trade for Brewers minor-league 1B Hunter Morris".
32. "Pirates get veteran 3B Ramirez from Brewers". July 23, 2015.
33. "Cleveland Indians pick up Pirates' pitcher Jayson Aquino".
34. "Pirates acquire Blanton from Royals for cash". July 30, 2015.
35. "White Sox trade for Pirates' Justin Sellers".
36. "Tigers get 'quality' prospect JaCoby Jones for Soria".
37. "Pirates acquire left-hander J.A. Happ from Mariners". July 31, 2015.
38. "Pirates pick up Michael Morse from the Dodgers for Jose Tabata". July 31, 2015.
39. Singer, Tom (November 14, 2014). "Burnett returns to Pirates on one-year contract". Pittsburgh Pirates. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
40. Chisholm, Gregor (November 18, 2014). "Blue Jays land free-agent catcher Martin". Toronto Blue Jays. Archived from the original on November 21, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
41. Singer, Tom; Laymance, Austin (November 18, 2014). "Pirates bring back Lincoln on Minor League deal". Pittsburgh Pirates. Archived from the original on November 21, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
42. Chastain, Bill (November 26, 2014). "Rays sign reliever Frieri to one-year deal". MLB.com.
43. Brock, Corey (December 4, 2014). "Padres complete deal with infielder Barmes". San Diego Padres. Archived from the original on December 13, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
44. Muskat, Carrie (December 19, 2014). "Pirates add Hart to mix with 1-year deal". Pittsburgh Pirates. Archived from the original on December 23, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
45. "Catcher Wilkin & RHP Wall Sign MiLB Deals". MiLB.com. January 30, 2015.
46. Sheldon, Mark (November 7, 2014). "Elmore claimed off waivers by Pirates". Pittsburgh Pirates. Archived from the original on November 13, 2014.
47. Singer, Tom (December 8, 2014). "Bucs add Lindblom to bullpen mix". Pittsburgh Pirates. Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
48. "Pirates claim Travis Ishikawa off waivers". Pittsburgh Pirates. July 5, 2015. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015.
49. "Draft Tracker | 2015 First-Year Player Draft". MLB.
50. Leventhal, Josh, ed. (2015). Baseball America 2016 Almanac. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America. ISBN   978-1-932391-60-2.

External links

• 2015 Pittsburgh Pirates statistics at Baseball Reference
• 2015 Pittsburgh Pirates schedule at MLB.com