Kevin Gorman stories, Page 33
Pirates rookie 2B Nick Gonzales has made immediate impact, thanks to revamped swing
When Nick Gonzales made his intention clear in spring training that he not only wanted to play in the major leagues for a long time but also to be an impact player, he still was viewed as a work in progress. After Gonzales batted .209 in 35 games during his...
Davis Schneider hits walk-off homer, Pirates lose 14-inning marathon
By the time the longest game of the season ended, the starting pitchers’ duel was but a distant memory and it had been eight-plus innings since the Pittsburgh Pirates got a hit. Davis Schneider hit a two-out, two-run home run off Kyle Nicolas to lift the Toronto Blue Jays to...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: 1979 World Series champion pitchers offer advice for Paul Skenes
Speaking with a pair of star pitchers from the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 1979 World Series champions, it was only natural the conversation turned toward their thoughts on rookie right-hander Paul Skenes. As a 6-foot-7 left-hander who tossed a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers as a 22-year-old in August 1976, John...
Paul Skenes strikes out 9, Jared Jones struggles as Pirates split doubleheader at Detroit
The Pittsburgh Pirates put their 22-year-old rookie right-handers on display in a doubleheader at the Detroit Tigers, and the results couldn’t have been more different for Jared Jones and Paul Skenes. Where Jones had the worst and shortest start of his career by allowing five earned runs in 41⁄3 innings...
Pirates-Tigers game postponed due to weather, will play straight doubleheader on Wednesday
Tuesday’s game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers was postponed because of the forecast of inclement weather. It has been rescheduled as a traditional doubleheader, with the first game beginning at 12:40 p.m. and the second game starting approximately 40 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1. Per the...
Pirates activate 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes, place C Joey Bart, LHP Martin Perez on injured list
The Pittsburgh Pirates made multiple roster moves before Tuesday’s game at Detroit, activating third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes from the 10-day injured list and selecting the contract of catcher Grant Koch. The Pirates also placed left-handed pitcher Martin Perez (groin) on the 15-day injured list and catcher Joey Bart (left thumb)...
Rookie right-handers Jared Jones, Paul Skenes shine in spotlight, drawing attention to Pirates
They look like baseball’s odd couple when standing side-by-side at their lockers in the Pittsburgh Pirates clubhouse: Jared Jones has flowing hair, a trimmed beard and appears a shade below his listed 6-foot-1, and Paul Skenes has a cropped cut, distinctive mustache and looks every bit of 6-6, 260 pounds....
Braves dominate Pirates, who lose catcher Joey Bart, pitcher Martin Perez to injuries
The Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t lose just a chance to sweep the Atlanta Braves. They lost their starting battery to injuries, as catcher Joey Bart and pitcher Martin Perez were removed early in the game. Where Bart (left thumb) left after the first inning, and Perez (left groin) didn’t return for...
Mitch Keller delivers quality start despite delays as Pirates beat Braves
Mitch Keller wasn’t watching the clock, but he was ready to warm up the minute it was determined the rain delay that interrupted the fifth inning would allow him to ample time to return to the mound. After a 30-minute break, the Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star right-hander continued a strong start...
‘Once a Buc, always a Buc’: Pirates turn back time to honor 1979 World Series champions
When Kent Tekulve wore his white Pittsburgh Pirates No. 27 jersey again, it was like he was transported in time. The 77-year-old submariner felt like he was 32 again, swapping stories with his old teammates as the Pirates celebrated the 45th anniversary of their 1979 World Series champions before Saturday’s...
Pirates 3rd baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes ‘relatively pain-free,’ resumes baseball activities
Ke’Bryan Hayes is showing “very encouraging” signs of recovering from the low back inflammation that has kept the Pittsburgh Pirates Gold Glove third baseman on the injured list. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Hayes has resumed all baseball activities, taking ground balls and batting practice before Saturday’s...
‘We feel urgency’: Pirates GM Ben Cherington expects improvement but isn’t ready to panic
That the Pittsburgh Pirates aren’t playing up to expectations has been the storyline of the season, one that on Friday afternoon prompted general manager Ben Cherington to give them an “incomplete” grade. Where Cherington touted a starting rotation that has delivered 25 quality starts through the first 51 games, he...
‘It’s not fun’: Booed by fans, Pirates first baseman Rowdy Tellez struggles to end slump
Rowdy Tellez slumped in his swivel chair in front of his locker, decompressing after another depressing performance during which the Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman was booed relentlessly again at PNC Park. After going 0 for 4 with two strikeouts in Thursday’s 7-6 loss to the San Francisco Giants, which dropped...
Pirates’ bullpen blows another big lead, as Giants rally with 5-run 8th to win series
The San Francisco Giants survived six innings against Paul Skenes and three home runs, including a grand slam by their former first-round pick Joey Bart, before getting to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ weakness. A beleaguered bullpen blew a big lead for the second consecutive game, surrendering five runs in the eighth...
Pirates blow 5-run lead as Giants rally to tie game in 9th, win in extra innings
When Bryan Reynolds hit a grand slam for a five-run lead in the fourth inning, the Pittsburgh Pirates had the comfort of a cushion only one night after requiring a four-run rally in the ninth to win in extra innings. This time, they reversed roles. The San Francisco Giants chipped...
Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz channels frustration into ‘unbelievable’ exit velocities
Oneil Cruz was ticked off about a fielding error on a fly ball that allowed two runs to score in the first inning, so the Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop took out his anger with swing after violent swing. Cruz made contact that left his teammates in disbelief, delivering the hardest hits...
Nick Gonzales delivers walk-off win after Pirates rally from 4-run deficit in 9th
The Pittsburgh Pirates staged an inspiring four-run rally against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game, so Nick Gonzales was looking to be aggressive in extra innings. The rookie second baseman didn’t hesitate to swing at the first pitch he saw, drilling lefty...
Sinkerballer Ryder Ryan making most of up-and-down nature of role in Pirates bullpen
After eight years in the minor leagues, Ryder Ryan has accepted the up-and-down nature of his role with the Pittsburgh Pirates. And that’s not just about being ready when called upon in the bullpen. After making the Opening Day roster, the 29-year-old right-handed reliever has twice been optioned to and...
‘Everybody will get an extra day’: With Paul Skenes, Pirates switch to 6-man starting rotation
Before the Pittsburgh Pirates promoted Paul Skenes, general manager Ben Cherington said they considered giving the 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick one more start at Triple-A Indianapolis. Instead, the Pirates came to the conclusion that Skenes was ready to help them win games in the major leagues — even...
Cubs score 3 runs in extra innings to win series, as Pirates leave bases loaded in 9th
When the Pittsburgh Pirates had the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning in a tied game against the Chicago Cubs, it was their chance to beat an NL Central nemesis. That the Pirates came away empty proved to be a bad omen, even though...
Paul Skenes brings triple-digit heat, fans to their feet with 7 strikeouts in Pirates debut
Paul Skenes already topped triple digits with his four-seam fastball six times in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs when the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie right-hander brought fans to their feet at PNC Park. After the 6-foot-6, 260-pounder fired an 0-2 fastball to Cody Bellinger, the crowd was captivated. That...
Pirates designate RHP Roansy Contreras, place 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes on IL, recall Alika Williams
The promotion of Paul Skenes to the Pittsburgh Pirates caused a chain reaction that turned one of Ben Cherington’s biggest trades into a bust as right-hander Roansy Contreras was designated for assignment. Contreras was the centerpiece of the four-player return in the trade that sent pitcher Jameson Taillon, the No....
Cody Bellinger’s 4-hit game leads Cubs past Pirates as offense continues to struggle
The Pittsburgh Pirates have avoided some of the game’s biggest stars because of injuries, which sidelined the likes of Christian Yelich, Kris Bryant, Mike Trout and Dansby Swanson. Cody Bellinger, however, returned in time to torture the Pirates. After missing two weeks with a fractured rib cage, the Chicago Cubs...
Pirates recall 2B Nick Gonzales, option INF Alika Williams to Triple-A Indianapolis
While the attention was on the arrival of 2023 No. 1 overall pick Paul Skenes, it was another former first-round pick that was added to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ active roster. The Pirates recalled Nick Gonzales from Triple-A Indianapolis, and manager Derek Shelton said the hot-hitting second baseman would be in...
Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes has high expectations for his major-league debut
Paul Skenes had been waiting patiently for the Pittsburgh Pirates to promote him to the major leagues, so the 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick was surprised to be sleeping when the call finally came. After Skenes threw a bullpen session Wednesday morning before Triple-A Indianapolis’ game, he went home...
