Kevin Gorman stories, Page 9
Full Count: Why does Paul Skenes want to chat with Tigers ace Tarik Skubal at All-Star Game?
Forgive Paul Skenes for being presumptive when he wasn’t worried about missing Aaron Judge in the opening homestand because he expected to face the New York Yankees slugger in the All-Star Game. The Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander gave the same treatment toward missing a meeting with 2024 American League Cy Young...
Cal Raleigh goes deep twice as Mariners hit 4 homers to shut out Pirates, end winning streak
The Pittsburgh Pirates arrived in Seattle as the hottest team in baseball, riding a six-game winning streak that included three consecutive shutouts in a historic homestand. They ran into the game’s hottest home run hitter. Cal Raleigh crushed two homers to increase his major-league-leading total to a career-best 35, as...
Armed with belief, ‘electric’ fastball, Isaac Mattson making impact on Pirates bullpen
When the Pittsburgh Pirates talk about Isaac Mattson, the first thing they mention is his electric fastball. The 29-year-old right-handed reliever throws his four-seamer on 72.2% of his pitches, leaving batters befuddled as the ball disappears. Mitch Keller marveled over Mattson’s heater after he recorded three strikeouts — all swinging...
Pirates closer David Bednar named NL reliever of the month for June
David Bednar started April in the minor leagues. He ended June as the National League reliever of the month. The Pittsburgh Pirates closer earned the honors after recording five saves and not allowing an earned run in 10 appearances last month. Bednar had 16 strikeouts against three walks and gave...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Riding a 6-game winning streak, Pirates are reversing their curse
For the first two months of the season, the Pittsburgh Pirates appeared to be cursed. Now they are the hottest team in baseball, riding a six-game winning streak and capping an historic homestand with three consecutive shutouts against the NL Central-rival St. Louis Cardinals. The Pirates outscored the New York...
Mitch Keller breaks PNC Park strikeouts record as Pirates shut out Cardinals to sweep series
When it comes to pitching at PNC Park, Mitch Keller now has more Ks than anyone in stadium history. Not only did the 29-year-old right-hander break the stadium’s strikeouts record, but Keller delivered his best performance of the season as the Pittsburgh Pirates capped an historic homestand with another sweep....
Pirates RHP Johan Oviedo makes ‘monumental accomplishment’ by starting rehab assignment
The Pittsburgh Pirates received encouraging news from one of the pitchers expected to be in their starting rotation when right-hander Johan Oviedo began a rehabilitation assignment. Given that Oviedo has missed 18 months since undergoing Tommy John surgery and his recovery endured a setback with a lat strain, Pirates senior...
Big defensive plays, sacrifice fly by Henry Davis help Pirates clip Cardinals
As Don Kelly was trying to explain an offensive outburst where the Pittsburgh Pirates scored 37 runs in four games, he couldn’t help but note how much fun it is to win one-run games. After four consecutive blowout victories, the Pirates were back to playing in a tight game Tuesday...
Pirates trade righty reliever Hunter Stratton to Braves for minor leaguer, cash considerations
The Pittsburgh Pirates traded right-handed reliever Hunter Stratton to the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday for a minor-league outfielder and cash considerations. Stratton was designated for assignment Thursday, when the Pirates signed lefty reliever Genesis Cabrera. A 2017 16th-round draft pick, the 28-year-old Stratton was 2-1 with a 4.30 ERA and...
Back adjustment helps Ke’Bryan Hayes get back into swing for Pirates
Ke’Bryan Hayes took a detour on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ return trip from Milwaukee, using an off day to return to his hometown of Houston to visit family, check on the status of the house he’s building and get an adjustment. On his back, not his swing. Hayes squeezed in a...
Andrew Heaney takes no-hitter into 6th as Pirates shut out Cardinals in series opener
Overshadowed by the sudden offensive outburst by the Pittsburgh Pirates has been the quality of their pitching, until Andrew Heaney took the mound Monday against the St. Louis Cardinals. The veteran left-hander shut down St. Louis over 6⅔ scoreless innings – not allowing a hit for 5⅔ innings – and...
Pirates prospects Konnor Griffin, Esmerlyn Valdez named to All-Star Futures Game
Two Pittsburgh Pirates prospects, shortstop Konnor Griffin and outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez, have been named to the National League roster for the All-Star Futures Game. The 26th edition of the showcase of baseball’s top prospects will be played July 12 at Atlanta’s Truist Park. The 19-year-old Griffin, the ninth overall pick...
‘A good learning experience’: After benching, Pirates star Oneil Cruz blasts out of his funk
Oneil Cruz endured a week in which he was benched for his lack of effort and energy and dropped down from the leadoff spot into the middle of the batting order in hopes he would find his way out of a funk. The Pittsburgh Pirates even held him out of...
Pirates pound 16 hits, including 4 home runs, in another blowout win over Mets to sweep series
The Pittsburgh Pirates discovered the perfect antidote for their offensive woes in the New York Mets, as the team that tied a major-league record for most consecutive games without scoring more than four runs (26) unleashed its greatest offensive output in the PNC Park era. The run production came from...
Pirates reliever Dennis Santana starts serving 3-game suspension for fan incident at Detroit
Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed reliever Dennis Santana began serving a three-game suspension Sunday for his actions during the second game of a doubleheader June 19 at Detroit. Santana initially was suspended four games by MLB when video cameras captured him arguing with a spectator then jumping taking a swipe at the...
Pirates mourn passing of Hall of Famer Dave Parker, suggest his No. 39 should be retired
Nick Gonzales wore No. 39 for the Pittsburgh Pirates with a heavy heart Saturday upon learning that the man who made it famous for the franchise, Hall of Fame electee Dave Parker, had died at age 74. As much as he considers it “an honor just to wear it,” the...
Rainstorm provides reset for Pirates, who pound Mets to clinch series win
As timing goes, it was the perfect storm for the Pittsburgh Pirates. A rainstorm interrupted the top of the second inning, as the New York Mets had a one-run lead and runners on first and second base with two outs. A 1-hour, 29-minute delay provided a reset. The Pirates took...
Full Count: Ben Cherington can’t ignore Pirates’ offense but plans to pick best available player
Ben Cherington has defied expectations — and, perhaps, industry norms — in his first five drafts as Pittsburgh Pirates general manager. Despite the Pirates being in last place in the NL Central and ranking among the least productive offenses in baseball, Cherington remains steadfast in his assertion that they want...
Pirates great Dave Parker dies at 74, a month before his induction into baseball Hall of Fame
A rocket-armed right fielder and five-tool star who brought a big bat and a smooth swagger to the 1979 World Series champions, Dave Parker became a larger-than-life figure for the “We Are Family” Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates lost a member of the family when Parker died Saturday at 74, just...
Bucs Q&A: After striking out Pirates, lefty Genesis Cabrera wants to help build up bullpen
What’s your first impression of the Pittsburgh Pirates? First of all, just thanks for the opportunity. I’m just here to do my best and help the team win. That’s the main thing. When you are at your best, what does that look like? Just taking care of myself and putting...
Offensive outburst propels Mitch Keller to win as Pirates pound Mets in series opener
Mitch Keller weathered the lack of run support from the Pittsburgh Pirates without complaint, bearing the burden of strong starts not being rewarded with a win since the second game of the season. The Pirates had scored one run or fewer in 10 of his 16 starts, never scoring more...
Pirates sign veteran left-handed reliever cut by Cubs
The Pittsburgh Pirates added a veteran left-handed reliever to their bullpen Thursday, signing Genesis Cabrera to a one-year major league contract. The 28-year-old Cabrera is 17-14 with a 4.03 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and five saves while averaging 8.7 strikeouts and 4.4 walks per nine innings in seven-plus seasons, including five...
Rangers bullpen shuts down Pirates, who drop another 1-run game for 7th loss in past 9
For a fleeting moment, the Pittsburgh Pirates looked like they had a chance to tie the score in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers when Henry Davis drilled a ball 393 feet to center field. The ball landed in Evan Carter’s glove at the warning track, and the symbolism...
Full Count: Difference between Pirates under Don Kelly, Derek Shelton a tale of 2 1st halves
As the Pittsburgh Pirates approach the halfway point of the season, it feels like they already have played two halves: one with Derek Shelton as manager and another under the direction of Don Kelly. Where Shelton was fired May 8 amid a 12-26 start — a .316 winning percentage —...
Bucs Q&A: Pirates CF Oneil Cruz a ‘normal guy’ when it comes to making mental mistakes
What did you see on the ball that got past you in the first inning Friday night against the Rangers? It was just a hard line drive right at me. I think I trusted myself too much, and it just went by me. I just made a mistake. What has...
