Pittsburgh Pirates / MLB category, Page 116
Jack Suwinski homers twice but Cubs pummel Pirates’ bullpen in blowout win
Jack Suwinski returned home to Chicago with a bang, hitting a pair of solo shots against the Chicago Cubs — including one that sailed over the scoreboard — for his fourth multi-homer game of the season. But Ian Happ also hammered his hometown team, as the Mt. Lebanon native hit...
Dauri Moreta uses ‘unicorn’ slider to become key part of Pirates bullpenVideo
This season, Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Dauri Moreta has emerged as one of the hot topics around baseball because of his unique slider that largely has baffled hitters. “It’s a unicorn pitch. I have never seen one like it,” said fellow reliever Colin Holderman, who also possesses a lethal slider. The...
Best way for Pirates to start crucial division stretch is to be less than friendly to a former friend
If you had asked any Pittsburgh Pirates fan at the start of 2023 if they’d be OK with the team being 34-30 and in first place of the National League Central on June 13, they’d have gladly said “Yes!” But at the start of last week, if you had said,...
Tim Benz: Stan, Pittsburgh ‘loved the show,’ and we all loved you
For those of us that knew Stan Savran well, news of his death Monday at age 76 was an emotional blow. And when I say “for those of us that knew Stan Savran well,” I mean all of us in Pittsburgh. We all knew him well. Not just those of...
Pirates pitcher Max Kranick continues Tommy John rehab, will pitch to live hitters soon
Baseball players who have the misfortune of requiring Tommy John surgery unavoidably find themselves staring down a long tunnel of recovery. For pitchers, undergoing the surgery to their throwing arm usually entails being sidelined between one and two years, over which time they navigate through an extensive rehabilitation program as...
Mark Madden: Pirates might be fun if not for Bob Nutting
When no single topic stands out, it’s time for refreshing sports notes! (Problem is, that kills a gaggle of column ideas in one fell swoop.) • The Pittsburgh Pirates almost could win me over. They play hard, aggressive baseball and have a modicum of talent. But I don’t trust owner Bob...
Tim Benz: Andrew McCutchen’s milestone overshadows Mitch Keller’s bounce-back performance
By collecting his 2,000th career hit, Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Andrew McCutchen provided Sunday afternoon’s biggest moment. However, it was Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller who provided the biggest storyline. Keller pitched seven innings against the New York Mets en route to a 2-1 win. The right-hander allowed only one earned...
Madden Monday: Where Andrew McCutchen ranks among all-time Pirates greats
Pittsburgh Pirates veteran Andrew McCutchen got his 2,000th career hit Sunday afternoon during a 2-1 win over the New York Mets. It was a classic McCutchen swing, whipping his quick hands through a pitch from Carlos Carrasco and lacing it into left field. This moment is everything ???? pic.twitter.com/53yrnjJNwt— Pittsburgh...
First Call: Steelers’ duo named top pass-rush pair; A’s help Pirates; latest on Antonio Brown’s Albany ownership
Monday’s “First Call” dishes out praise for a Pittsburgh Steelers dynamic duo. Meanwhile, an ex-Steeler jumps to the NFC South. The Pirates get help from an unlikely source. And more details are leaking out about Antonio Brown’s nutty ownership of that National Arena Football League team in Albany. Also, we...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Pirates ready for new challenge by finally playing Cubs, Brewers
At the start of the nine-game homestand, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton was asked if he likes MLB’s new balanced schedule where interleague games have gone from novelty to normalcy. “I like the fact that the fans get to see every team,” Shelton quipped. Shelton was asked again, pressed to...
Pirates farm report for June 11, 2023: Catcher Abrahan Gutierrez homers in Curve win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 28-33) and Omaha (Royals) were rained out. The game will not be made up. Next: Tuesday at Iowa (Cubs), 7:38 p.m. ALTOONA (Double-A, 30-25) sored once in the eighth, twice in the ninth and once in the 10th to beat Richmond (Giants), 5-4. SS Liover Peguero (.270) had...
Patience and professionalism of Andrew McCutchen on display during chase for 2,000 hitsVideo
In navigating the final stages on the road to 2,000 career hits, which culminated with a first-inning single in Sunday’s 2-1 win over the N.Y. Mets at PNC Park, Andrew McCutchen personified patience. When the Pittsburgh Pirates kicked off their nine-game homestand June 2 against St. Louis, McCutchen sat at...
Andrew McCutchen notches 2,000th hit, Mitch Keller strikes out 7 as Pirates beat Mets
The anticipation of Andrew McCutchen’s milestone moment drew a hush from the PNC Park crowd, knowing that the Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter was one shy of his 2,000th career hit. Where McCutchen had been content to draw walks throughout the 10-day, nine-game homestand, he came out swinging Sunday. McCutchen fouled...
Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen collects career hit No. 2,000 Sunday vs. MetsVideo
Andrew McCutchen’s summer of individual milestones is officially underway. Facing New York Mets starter Carlos Carrasco in the bottom of the first inning Sunday afternoon at PNC Park, McCutchen ripped a single into left field for career hit No. 2,000, becoming just the 291st player in baseball history to do...
Pirates GM Ben Cherington: RHP Roansy Contreras returning to bullpen
The Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said right-hander Roansy Contreras is going back to the bullpen, creating an opening in the starting rotation. Cherington shared the news Sunday afternoon on his weekly radio show on 93.7 FM, adding that the Pirates expect to promote a pitcher from Triple-A Indianapolis...
Pirates farm report for June 10, 2023: Liover Peguero has 3 hits, homer in Altoona loss
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 28-33) lost to Omaha (Royals), 9-5. CF Ryan Vilade (.277) went 3 for 4 with three RBIs. SS Chris Owings (.292) was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. C Henry Davis (.235) went 0 for 2 with three walks and a run scored. 1B Endy...
Andrew McCutchen hitless as Pirates’ bullpen collapses in loss to Mets
Saturday’s game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets, featuring sunny and warm weather, attracted 35,290 fans to PNC Park. Many in the crowd doubtless hoped to see Andrew McCutchen record career hit No. 2,000, in addition to the Pirates winning their second straight against New York, clinching the...
How adding toe tap helped Pirates 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes tap into potential at plate
The conversations between Ke’Bryan Hayes and Andy Haines always had been a two-way street, with the Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman articulating his feel at the plate with the hitting coach. After Hayes went 0 for 5 with four strikeouts May 28 at Seattle — the first time in his life...
Pirates farm report for June 9, 2023: Drew Maggi delivers winning hit for Altoona
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 28-32) was dispatched by Omaha (Royals), 6-2. 2B Nick Gonzales (.254) went 2 for 5 with his sixth home run. RF Henry Davis (.267) went 1 for 5. C Endy Rodriguez (.253) went 1 for 4 with a run scored. DH Miguel Andujar (.345) was 1 for 4...
Ke’Bryan Hayes has career game with 5 hits, 4 RBIs as Pirates pound Mets
While Andrew McCutchen remains one hit shy of a career milestone, Ke’Bryan Hayes matched his career bests as the Pittsburgh Pirates bounced back from two losses to the Oakland A’s by pounding the New York Mets. Hayes went 5 for 5 with four RBIs as the Pirates collected 17 hits...
Pirates lose starting pitcher Vince Velasquez to season-ending right elbow surgery
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting rotation suffered another blow when right-handed pitcher Vince Velasquez underwent season-ending surgery Wednesday to address the injured ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Friday afternoon that Velasquez’s surgery was performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who...
Pirates recall outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba
Less than a week ago, relief pitcher Chase De Jong rejoined the Pirates from Triple-A Indianapolis after having been designated for assignment in early May. But De Jong, who had been largely solid for the Pirates during their 100-loss 2022 campaign (6-3, 2.64 ERA), was unable to replicate his success...
Mark Madden: Time for the Pirates to up the ante with top prospects Henry Davis, Endy Rodriguez
The Pirates swept bogey team St. Louis and then lost two of three to Oakland, perhaps the worst team in baseball history. It’s maddening, but the Pirates have somehow hung around the top of the very generic National League Central despite their consistent inconsistency. Shortstop Oneil Cruz won’t be back...
Rodolfo Castro flashes power in push to become an everyday player for the Pirates
That Rodolfo Castro made a start at shortstop Wednesday for the Pittsburgh Pirates, his first at the position in a month, was a sign he has regained the trust of the coaching staff. That he slugged a solo home run and a two-run double in a 9-5 loss to the...
Pirates farm report for June 8, 2023: Endy Rodriguez tossed from Indianapolis loss
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 28-31) gave up 10 runs in the fifth inning and lost 15-7 to Omaha (Royals). C Endy Rodriguez (.253) went 1 for 3 with a double and two RBIs before being ejected for arguing a call at first base. 1B Miguel Andujar (.347) went 1 for 4 with...
