PITTSBURGH – Not many teams call a game against the last-place Pirates a must-win.

What are your opinions.

The Pirates’ minor league season, which ended this past weekend for most affiliates, was marked by awful injury luck at all levels, two diminutive hitters rising to unexpected levels, three key promotions to the most important level and, maybe the most striking aspect, a new level of quality pitching. None of that was seen in Pittsburgh, of course.

Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.

Will the Pirates look to their farm system to shore up the rotation next season? Will we see Jameson Taillon or Stetson Allie in the big leagues soon? Jenifer Langosch answers these questions and more in the latest Inbox.

Not a lot else going on in the MLB world today.

Omar Infante had three hits, Derek Lowe beat Pittsburgh for the 10th straight time and the Atlanta Braves got the breakout victory they badly needed, beating the Pirates 9-3 on Wednesday night. The Braves opened leads of 3-0 in the first and 8-0 in the third after being held to two runs or fewer in five of their previous six games.

There is the quick update of the day.

On the heels of two well-played games against the Braves, the Pirates closed out the three-game set with a thud on Wednesday.

That’s all the news for today.

Maybe the Pittsburgh Pirates need to try something new to get a win: hire a hockey player.

What do you guys think about this.

For the 18th straight season, there won't be any playoff baseball played in Pittsburgh. That's not to say, though, that the Pirates are completely shut out of postseason baseball.

What do you guys think about this.

What the Pirates opt to do at shortstop in 2011 will be one of the key evaluations made by the organization this offseason.

That’s all the news for today.

Four extra-base hits in the seventh inning pushed across five runs for the Pirates, who rewarded James McDonald with a hard-fought, 5-0 victory over the Braves on Tuesday.

Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.

Sent down in late July to rework some mechanical issues, Brad Lincoln was among the eight Triple-A players the Pirates called up prior to Tuesday's game.

Thanks for reading! .

Removed midseason as the team's starting third baseman, Andy LaRoche is no longer one of the most visible faces on the field for this Pirates' club. Off the field, however, LaRoche is leaving an indelible mark.

Thanks for reading! .

Brian Burres, who was summoned to start after Jeff Karstens was scratched on Sunday due to shoulder soreness, allowed one run on five hits — all singles — over six innings in a spot start to lift the Pirates to a 3-1 victory over the Braves on Monday afternoon.

That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.

About an hour after defeating the first-place Atlanta Braves, 3-1, on Monday afternoon, the Pirates announced their intention to instantly make their active roster about 25 percent larger.

Thanks for reading! .

Pittsburgh Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen, bottom, steals second as the errant throw from Atlanta Braves catcher David Ross gets past second baseman Omar Infante during the first inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh Monday, Sept. 6, 2010. McCutchen advanced to third on the error.

Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.

Two in-state Pirates' affiliates closest to the club in proximity handed out their postseason team awards in ceremonies Sunday

Thanks for reading! .

Done in by all the defensive issues, the Pirates dropped Sunday's series finale to the Nationals, 8-1, in front 18,057 at PNC Park.

Leave your comments on the news below.

Though the team's roster already sits at 27 players, general manager Neal Huntington confirmed that the Pirates have more September callups on the horizon.

Leave your comments on the news below.

Wanting an additional option out of the bullpen, the Pirates recalled right-hander Joe Martinez from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.

There is the quick update of the day.

Brian Burres, not Jeff Karstens, will now start the Pirates' series opener against Atlanta on Monday, as right shoulder soreness has sidelined Karstens once again.

What do you guys think about this.

The Pirates promoted SP Joe Martinez from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday. He was acquired from the Giants just prior to the July 31 trade deadline. Joe Martinez – Triple-A – Starting pitcher – United States – Pittsburgh Pirates

Not a lot else going on in the MLB world today.