Kevin Gorman stories, Page 72
Ben Cherington’s challenge: Build Pirates into a winner while sustaining strong farm system
When asked about the progress the Pittsburgh Pirates have made under his direction, general manager Ben Cherington painted a picture that was — quite literally — worth almost a thousand words. Nine hundred sixty-one, to be exact. Cherington started his soliloquy Friday by touching on a farm system whose talent...
Reds collect 13 hits, draw six walks to roll past Pirates for series win
Jake Fraley hit a solo home run and a two-run double, so the Pittsburgh Pirates knew there was trouble when the Cincinnati Reds desginated hitter was almost as dangerous when he wasn’t swinging the bat. That Fraley went 2 for 2 with three walks, four runs scored and three RBIs...
Pirates shuffle bullpen, adding LHP Cam Vieaux, optioning RHP Yohan Ramirez
The Pittsburgh Pirates continued to shuffle their bullpen, making a move before Sunday’s game to add a left-hander to the mix. The Pirates selected the contract of lefty Cam Vieaux and optioned right-hander Yohan Ramirez. To make room on the 40-man roster, they designated catcher Jose Godoy for assignment. Vieaux,...
‘A love-hate relationship’: How Pirates rookies like Bligh Madris swing through a slump
When Bligh Madris saw the cutter coming, he didn’t hesitate to swing and send it to right field. What went down as a simple single in the seventh inning Friday night was more monumental to Madris. For the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie outfielder, the hit not only marked the end of...
Michael Chavis hits RBI single in bottom of 9th for walk-off win as Pirates beat Reds
When the Cincinnati Reds visited the Pittsburgh Pirates, it became a battle to stay out of the basement in the NL Central. The Pirates needed a rally in the bottom of the ninth to do it. Kevin Newman doubled to tie the score, and Michael Chavis hit a bases-loaded single...
Pirates GM acknowledges challenges of ‘rebuild,’ return of manager Derek Shelton
With the Pittsburgh Pirates being on pace to lose 99 games, general manager Ben Cherington used the word “rebuild” in public for the first time and gave a vote of confidence Friday to Derek Shelton. The Pirates manager made waves earlier this week during a guest appearance on 93.7 FM,...
Bryan Reynolds hits a pair of 2-run homers; Pirates pound Red Sox
The Pittsburgh Pirates provided a fitting finale to a series that started with insults by Dennis Eckersley but ended with a final score that should make the Boston Red Sox broadcaster choke on his clam chowder. Not for nothingness. Bryan Reynolds hit a pair of two-run homers — including the...
Pirates encouraged with how rookie RHP Roansy Contreras battled in return to majors
Roansy Contreras was making his first major-league start in more than a month when the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie right-hander ran into trouble in the second inning Wednesday night against the Boston Red Sox. Contreras was experiencing command issues and, after giving up three runs on four hits and a walk,...
Roansy Contreras outdueled by Rich Hill in return as Pirates drop 6th straight
When Bryan Reynolds followed Kevin Newman’s leadoff single by hitting a towering, two-run home run in the first inning, the Pittsburgh Pirates looked like a team ready to snap its five-game losing streak. It was but a tease. Rich Hill was the model of efficiency thereafter. He allowed only one...
‘Bush league’: Pirates fire back at Red Sox broadcaster Dennis Eckersley’s on-air criticism
The Pittsburgh Pirates had a hodgepodge of reactions to Boston Red Sox color analyst Dennis Eckersley’s harsh criticisms that were trending on Twitter during the broadcast of Tuesday night’s game. Where some shrugged it off as nothingness, Pirates reliever Wil Crowe fired back by calling Eckersley “bush league” for taking...
Chase De Jong shines in relief as Pirates bullpen throws 7 no-hit innings in loss to Red Sox
When Chase De Jong got the call in the bullpen to be ready to pitch the third inning after Pittsburgh Pirates starter Mitch Keller was pulled for shoulder fatigue, De Jong knew exactly what was expected of him. Facing a Boston Red Sox lineup that scored five runs in the...
Red Sox jump to early lead to top Pirates, as Mitch Keller leaves with right shoulder fatigue
The Pittsburgh Pirates knew something was wrong with Mitch Keller even before the right-hander couldn’t get an out against the first six Boston Red Sox batters he faced. Keller wasn’t in pain so much as he was feeling and showing signs of fatigue, which sapped speed from his fastball, spin...
MLB suspends Rodolfo Castro for phone incident, but Pirates infielder will appealVideo
Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Rodolfo Castro was suspended for one game and fined for violating MLB policy regarding unapproved electronic devices when his cellphone fell out of his back pocket during an Aug. 9 game at Arizona. While saying he truly respects MLB’s decision, Castro will appeal the suspension. That will...
Pirates place Ke’Bryan Hayes on 10-day IL with back sprain, recall INF Kevin Padlo
The back spasms that prevented Ke’Bryan Hayes from playing in San Francisco forced the Pittsburgh Pirates to place the third baseman on the 10-day injured list Tuesday. Hayes appeared to aggravate his back when he was running out a grounder that resulted in a double play to end the seventh...
MLB suspends, fines Rodolfo Castro for phone incident but Pirates infielder will appealVideo
Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Rodolfo Castro has been suspended for one game and fined for violating MLB policy when his mobile phone fell out of his back pocket during an Aug. 9 game at Arizona. While saying he truly respects MLB’s decision, Castro will appeal the suspension. That will allow him...
Pirates know close isn’t cutting it when it comes to games decided by 2 runs or fewer
As their season spirals out of control, the Pittsburgh Pirates know that they can count on one constant: Win or lose, the games will be close. And they will lose a majority of them. The Pirates (45-70) have had 70 games decided by two runs or fewer but have won...
Thairo Estrada’s walk-off, 2-run homer in 9th leads Giants to a sweep of Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates expected a wild finish after rallying from a five-run deficit — only to allow the San Francisco Giants tie the game — then scoring the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning on an error. Just when the Pirates thought they were about to avoid...
Logan Webb weaves a gem for Giants, who hand Pirates their 12th shutout of season
Logan Webb toyed with the Pittsburgh Pirates, as the San Francisco Giants right-hander relied on off-speed and breaking pitches that danced around the strike zone but managed to miss their bats. The Pirates had no answer for Webb, even when Giants manager Gabe Kapler left him in with the bases...
Baseball America ranks Pirates’ 1st-round pick Termarr Johnson among Top 50 overall
When the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Termarr Johnson with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft last month, scouts proclaimed the Georgia prep phenom the best pure hitter in the draft in decades and Johnson declared himself the best player in the draft. Now, Baseball America is calling...
Despite 3 solo home runs, Pirates come up empty with bases loaded in loss to Giants
When it came to hitting home runs, the Pittsburgh Pirates went flying solo three times on long balls by Rodolfo Castro, Ben Gamel and Greg Allen. When it came to playing small ball, the Pirates came up empty. Trailing the San Francisco Giants by one run in the top of...
Tyler Beede bringing bullpen mentality in transition back to starting role for Pirates
After spending the majority of the season in the bullpen, Tyler Beede had a one-word answer when asked how he was being built up by the Pittsburgh Pirates to start games again. “Slowly,” Beede said, with a grin. The 29-year-old right-hander has twice served as an opener this month and...
Pirates great Omar Moreno to auction 1979 World Series ring, glove for foundation
Before Omar Moreno moves back to his native Panama, the former Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder is parting with some prized possessions from his personal collection of memorabilia that includes his 1979 World Series ring and the glove with which he caught the final out in the Game 7 win over...
Can you hear me now? Pirates’ Rodolfo Castro’s phone pops out of his pocket while sliding into 3rd
Rodolfo Castro was safe at third base but got called out anyway. On the day the Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis, he made national waves Tuesday night when his cellphone popped out of his back left pocket while sliding headfirst into third in the fourth...
Michael Chavis homers twice but Pirates come up short against Diamondbacks
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton wasn’t shy about expressing his disgust for praising opposing starting pitchers, placing some of the blame on his own batters. Whether it was Tommy Henry’s pitching or the Pirates’ hitting, the Arizona Diamondbacks took advantage. Henry limited the Pirates to four hits over seven innings...
Pirates recalled INF Rodolfo Castro, option OF Cal Mitchell to Triple-A Indianapolis
The Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday recalled infielder Rodolfo Castro from Indianapolis and optioned outfielder Cal Mitchell to their Triple-A affiliate. Castro, 23, adds another switch hitter who can play three infield positions to a lefty-heavy lineup. He batted .197 (14 for 71) in 23 games with the Pirates before his...
