Kevin Gorman stories, Page 34
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: After bottoming out in the Bay, Pirates need to find answers fast
The Pittsburgh Pirates bottomed out in the Bay, especially when they had chances to cash in. If the Pirates (14-18) losing 13 of their past 16 games to complete a freefall from first place in the NL Central to the basement of division standings in a two-week stretch isn’t alarming,...
Pirates fail to deliver with runners in scoring position in shutout loss as A’s sweep series
The Pittsburgh Pirates ended their West Coast trip to the Bay Area the same way they started it: by getting shut out. The Oakland Athletics got an early lead on solo home runs from Abraham Toro and Tyler Nevin and cruised to a 4-0 win Wednesday afternoon to sweep the...
‘The confidence is there’: Kyle Nicolas looks like a different pitcher in return to Pirates’ bullpen
When Kyle Nicolas switched from starter to reliever last season, Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said the right-hander “looked like a different pitcher.” Since getting shelled for six runs on three hits — including a grand slam — in his major-league debut at the Chicago Cubs last Sept. 19,...
Pirates offense manages a season-low 2 hits in loss to A’s to drop 2 games below .500
When the Pittsburgh Pirates got a leadoff single by Ke’Bryan Hayes then loaded the bases in the first inning, it looked like a promising start. They wouldn’t get another hit until the ninth inning. The Pirates took their offensive ineptitude to another level, held to a season-low two hits in...
‘He’s not scared’: Pirates RHP Hunter Stratton checks another box by earning 1st MLB win
The firsts came in waves so fast that Hunter Stratton almost had to pinch himself while standing at his locker in the home clubhouse at PNC Park, recounting his amazement at his string of monumental moments. On the day his first child was due, the right-handed reliever learned that he...
Bryan Reynolds, Ke’Bryan Hayes hit back-to-back homers in 10th as Pirates top Giants
The Pittsburgh Pirates got back-to-back home runs from Bryan Reynolds and Ke’Bryan Hayes for a three-run lead in the top of the 10th inning, then held their breath to see whether their closer could hold it. After giving up a two-run homer, David Bednar recorded three strikeouts to help the...
Position of paradox: Pirates have decisions to make at catcher when Yasmani Grandal returns
The catcher position has been a paradox for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The defensive whiz who won the starting job last year is out for the season after injuring his elbow swinging a bat. The two-time All-Star brought in for veteran leadership has been sidelined since spring training. The backup brought...
Patrick Bailey hits 3-run home run off David Bednar to give Giants walk-off win over Pirates
A scoreless game came down to the 2023 National League saves leaders pitching the ninth inning, and San Francisco’s Camilo Doval escaped a bases-loaded jam against the Pittsburgh Pirates. David Bednar wasn’t as fortunate. Patrick Bailey hit a three-run home run to lift the Giants to a 3-0 walk-off win...
Pirates call up pitcher Kyle Nicolas
The Pittsburgh Pirates made a roster move to shake up their bullpen Friday, recalling right-hander Kyle Nicolas and optioning Ryder Ryan to Triple-A Indianapolis. Nicolas appeared in four games for the Pirates last season, allowing seven runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and four walks in 5 ⅓ innings....
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: The Pirates’ .500 play is raising flags, just not the Jolly Roger
The Pittsburgh Pirates are raising flags. Not enough of them are the Jolly Roger. The Pirates (13-13) won nine of their first 11 games (including five consecutive), lost nine of their next 11 (including six consecutive) then split a four-game series with the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers. That’s the very...
Pirates come up empty in 9th, as Brewers take advantage of mishaps in win
The Milwaukee Brewers took advantage of mishaps by the Pittsburgh Pirates to take a three-run lead, then nearly let it slip away in similar fashion in the final inning. The Brewers scored three runs in the third inning after reaching base on an error, one hit, two walks and two...
Pirates GM Ben Cherington doing balancing act with management of Paul Skenes, Jared Jones
When it comes to pitch counts and innings management, Ben Cherington is doing a balancing act between having open lines of communication and keeping the Pittsburgh Pirates’ plans close to the vest. The Pirates general manager on Wednesday afternoon addressed two hot-button topics surrounding the team: the pitch count of...
Paul Skenes’ scoreless streak ends at 14 innings as Pirates prospect records 7 strikeouts
Pittsburgh Pirates top pitching prospect Paul Skenes saw his scoreless streak end at 14 innings when he allowed his first runs of the season Wednesday afternoon at Omaha. Skenes had seven strikeouts and hit season highs by throwing 71 pitches in 4 1/3 innings in his fifth start for Triple-A...
Pirates closer David Bednar gets green light, finds groove to earn 2nd consecutive save
David Bednar had pitched the previous two games, so the Pittsburgh Pirates wanted to be careful before deciding whether the two-time All-Star closer was available for the ninth inning Tuesday night. Pirates manager Derek Shelton believed Bednar reported to PNC Park with the mindset that he wanted to pitch, so...
Andrew McCutchen’s leadoff homer, Bailey Falter’s strong start lead Pirates past Brewers
After six games of scuffling, the Pittsburgh Pirates found a winning combination that worked for the second consecutive game: A leadoff home run and a quality start. Andrew McCutchen homered for the second consecutive game, and lefty Bailey Falter matched a career best with eight strikeouts over seven innings as...
Pirates put Andrew McCutchen at leadoff for a spark to end skid
With the Pittsburgh Pirates struggling offensively amid a six-game losing streak, manager Derek Shelton turned to a trusted veteran bat in search of a spark at the leadoff spot in the lineup. Andrew McCutchen understood the assignment. “I get it. It’s something that I’m familiar with,” McCutchen said. “When you...
Jared Jones sizzles again as Pirates beat Brewers to snap 6-game losing streak
Their losing streak was wearing on the Pittsburgh Pirates to the point that it showed in their body language, so Jared Jones provided the perfect antidote by turning the tables on the Milwaukee Brewers. The 22-year-old rookie right-hander strutted out to the mound with swagger, then unleashed eight fastballs that...
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jakob Junis injured during Pirates batting practice at PNC Park
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jakob Junis was hit in the back of the neck by a line drive during Pittsburgh Pirates batting practice Monday afternoon before the teams’ game at PNC Park. Trainers from both teams tended to Junis near the warning track in right field for 15 minutes before an...
‘Losing my confidence’: Pirates SS Oneil Cruz candid about struggles with strikeouts
Oneil Cruz not only leads the major leagues in strikeouts but has more than twice as many as he does hits. The Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop, who set the Statcast record for exit velocity, appears as confounded as anyone about his struggles at the plate. After his 10th consecutive game with...
‘Everybody is frustrated’: Pirates suffer 6th consecutive loss, 2nd straight series sweep
After racing out to the best record in baseball through the first 11 games, the Pittsburgh Pirates look lost amid a freefall that saw them suffer a sixth consecutive loss and second straight series sweep. The home clubhouse was mostly quiet and subdued after a 6-1 loss to the Boston...
Pirates GM Ben Cherington defends decision to limit innings for young starting pitchers
Ben Cherington didn’t just defend the Pittsburgh Pirates’ decision to limit Jared Jones to five innings at the New York Mets on Tuesday but also applauded the coaching staff for coming up with the plan. The 22-year-old rookie right-hander was pulled despite holding the Mets scoreless and to one hit...
Pirates continue to struggle with strikeouts, scoring runs in loss to Red Sox
The Pittsburgh Pirates addressed a troubling trend by increasing their hit total but had little answer for their most disturbing dilemma: They are struggling to stop striking out and score runs. The Boston Red Sox scored two runs in the first inning, and Masataka Yoshida provided the difference with a...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: After strong start, Pirates spiral as strengths turn to weaknesses
A seven-game road trip that ended with being swept by the New York Mets turned the Pittsburgh Pirates upside down as their strengths became weaknesses, and they spiraled after a strong start. It’s bad enough the Pirates (11-8) have lost six of their past eight games, but the fashion of...
Led by 2-run homers by Starling Marte, Harrison Bader, Mets sweep Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are dealing with their share of problems, but none is more glaring than their sudden offensive ineffectiveness. The New York Mets held the Pirates to five hits — none over the final four innings — and got two-run homers by Starling Marte and Harrison Bader for a...
Out of alignment: Bothersome back issue sidelines Pirates 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes again
Even before Ke’Bryan Hayes was a late scratch from the starting lineup Tuesday at the New York Mets, the Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman knew lower back tightness could become an issue this season. The 2023 NL Gold Glove winner told TribLive during the opening homestand that his back continues to...
