Pirates meet last years road win total

So with last nights victory the bucs have gotten their 17th road victory of the year. A feet that took them a full season to accomplish last year.  The question that many should be asking this morning is what is different between this team and last years version of the battling buccos? Some might say that the pitching is the biggest difference with Kevin Corriea leading the way with his major league leading 8th victory of the season. You also could mention the resurrection of  Charlie "Electric Stuff" Morton's career this season which sees his ERA at a miniscule 2.51, in the top 5 of the majors. The bullpen has been a fairly bright spot as well with the emergence of some very formidable relievers like Daniel McCutchen (ERA of 1.54 in 23.1 innings pitched), Jose Veras (ERA of 2.42 in 22.1 innings pitched) and of course Joel Hanrahan (1.46 in 24.3 innings pitched and 14 of 14 in save opportunities). Obviously pitching has played a role but so has timely hitting.  Neil Walker for instance is leading the team in doubles with 12 not to mention his 6 home runs and an on base percentage of .335 and leading the team in run scored with 32 and runs batted in with 33. The lead of spot has also been very effective this season between Andrew McCutchen (9 home runs, slugging percentage of .453, and 10 stolen bases) and Jose Tabata (on base percentage of .353, 14 stolen bases, and 28 runs scored) have both been playing to their potential all season long.  When a few of the other big bats in this lineup like Pedro Alvarez, currently nursing a quadriceps injury that has had him out since the 20th of May, and Lyle Overbay, brought in to Pittsburgh mainly for fielding purposes but has hit for lack luster numbers, get going this team could actually surprise some folks with their ability to hang in games and maybe even do something that hasn't been done in Pittsburgh baseball since 1991.  Speaking of the '91 season this is the earliest the bucs have had 17 victories on the road since that fateful season. Clint Hurdle very well could be a big part of the reason for this turnaround as well.  He has put his stamp on this team this season. Though many cringe when you see a player like walker in the 7th inning yesterday lay down a bunt to move McCutchen to second when we are down by 2 runs you cant argue with the results.  While it has some fans, this one included, pulling their hair out when you are asking your best hitters to sacrifice bunt its that kind of small ball that is going to get this team over the 500 hump.  When you look at some of the smaller market teams and how they have been able to be successful its by playing that exact style of small ball.   So while most any fan has something that they might point to as to the turn around in this teams fortunes its probably a mixture of all of these things.  What ever the cause bucco nation is hoping it continues and we get to raise the jolly roger a bunch more times this season.