Kevin Gorman stories, Page 33
‘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...
Pickoffs a pick-me-up for Pirates’ Aroldis Chapman, as lefty reliever closes in on record
Even as Aroldis Chapman closes in on becoming the all-time leader in strikeouts by a left-handed reliever, the Pittsburgh Pirates were worried about opponents taking free bases against him. Chapman’s 40.7% strikeout rate was countered by his 25.9% walk rate and compounded by runners taking liberties by stealing five bases...
Pirates’ promotion of Paul Skenes evokes memories of Stephen Strasburg’s debut
When searching for comparisons to Paul Skenes and his 10-month path from being selected with the No. 1 overall pick to making his first start in the major leagues, one name rings most prominent. Where the Pittsburgh Pirates are pumped for the first MLB start by Skenes against the Chicago...
Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes scheduled to make MLB debut Saturday against Cubs
In what is expected to be the most anticipated debut by a starting pitcher since Stephen Strasburg in 2010, the Pittsburgh Pirates are promoting Paul Skenes to the major leagues, a source confirmed to TribLive. The 21-year-old right-hander, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft and regarded...
Oneil Cruz’s left ankle ‘strong and stable,’ as Pirates shortstop returns to starting lineup
Oneil Cruz has given the Pittsburgh Pirates several scares by tweaking the left ankle that required surgery last season, yet director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk considers it more of an issue of treatment. After his latest sign of discomfort on a single to right in the sixth inning Monday...
Angels pound out 15 hits, hand Pirates their most lopsided loss of season
Quinn Priester has a tendency to pitch to contact, as the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander was getting ground balls at a 68.5% rate. The Los Angeles Angels put the ball in the air Tuesday night, pounding Priester for seven of their 15 hits, including a three-run home run by Kevin Pillar....
Mitch Keller tosses complete game, Edward Olivares hits grand slam as Pirates top Angels
Mitch Keller was soaked with sweat from the heat and humidity and just seven pitches shy of reaching 100, but the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander made it clear that he wanted the ball for the ninth inning. “Just empty the tank,” Keller said. “They’re giving me the opportunity, just give it...
After being target of fan frustration, Pirates 1B Rowdy Tellez starting to turn it around at plate
Rowdy Tellez understood the optics of getting caught admiring his work when his 100.6-mph line drive to right field ricocheted off the top of the Clemente Wall and bounced back into the outfield. In an instant, Tellez went from watching what he thought was a home run to sprinting and...
‘Looking out for us’: Pirates deliberate in development of Jared Jones, Paul Skenes
Yasmani Grandal has had a front-row seat for two of the featured attractions in baseball, starting behind the plate for Paul Skenes at Triple-A Indianapolis and Jared Jones for the Pittsburgh Pirates. In the span of five days, the two-time All-Star catcher was witness to why they are more than...
Paul Skenes surrenders 1st homer as a pro, as Pirates top prospect starts on 4 days of rest
The Pittsburgh Pirates wanted to see top prospect Paul Skenes check off an important box in his development by having the 6-foot-6½-inch right-hander make his first start on four days of rest. Skenes checked off another by surrendering the first home run of his professional career, as Buffalo’s Will Robertson...
Jared Jones sizzles, Jack Suwinski delivers walk-off single as Pirates beat Rockies
As Jared Jones walked off the field in the seventh inning, a chorus of cheers erupted from the rain-drenched fans in honor of the best start yet by the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie right-hander. Jones allowed only one hit in seven scoreless innings while tying his career best with 10 strikeouts...
After adjustment period, Pirates counting on improved outfield with Michael A. Taylor in CF
When the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Michael A. Taylor, it was with the intention of adding a pure center fielder with a Gold Glove on his resume to improve their outfield defense. What they got for the first eight games of the season was a player whose bat was better than...
