Pirates/MLB category, Page 120
First Call: Antonio Brown’s long overdue admission about playing career; White Sox reaction to Oneil Cruz collision, injuryVideo
It’s a little late, but maybe former Pittsburgh Steeler Antonio Brown has learned an important life lesson. The Chicago White Sox have some varying reactions to the Oneil Cruz injury and collision at home plate with their catcher, Seby Zavala. A familiar Steelers rival won’t be back with the Cleveland...
Madden Monday: Oneil Cruz’s injury is ‘further proof that they should allow the runner to run over the catcher’
Oneil Cruz’s fractured ankle is a gut punch for the Pittsburgh Pirates on many levels. Not the least of which is that the injury dampens the early momentum within the fan base and the belief that the team was on a fast ascent after nine games. Now, though, the 6-3...
With Pirates SS Oneil Cruz out, Rodolfo Castro ‘ready for whatever position they need me to play’
Rodolfo Castro’s heart dropped when Oneil Cruz fractured his left ankle in an awkward slide and home-plate collision Sunday, feeling a sense of sorrow and frustration for his friend and fellow Dominican. “It hurts a lot because he’s like my brother, and it hurts the team, too,” Castro said through...
Pirates farm report for April 9, 2023: Tucupita Marcano knocks in 3 runs in Indy victory
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 5-4) beat Louisville (Reds), 8-1, for its fifth straight victory. LF Tucupita Marcano (.500) was 2 for 4 with three RBIs. 2B Nick Gonzales (.207) also knocked in two runs. CF Travis Swaggerty (.286) was 2 for 5 with an RBI, including a double and triple. C Endy...
Oneil Cruz’s broken ankle overshadows Pirates’ series-clinching win over White Sox
The Pittsburgh Pirates got a big win from starting pitcher Johan Oviedo but suffered an even bigger loss when manager Derek Shelton revealed shortstop Oneil Cruz fractured his left ankle during a home plate collision. The sight of Cruz writhing in pain on the dirt as benches cleared in the...
Armed with a sinking slider, reliever Dauri Moreta brings electric energy to Pirates’ bullpen
As much as the Pittsburgh Pirates have embraced the swagger and electric energy that Dauri Moreta has brought to their bullpen, they are marveling at one of the right-handed reliever’s pitches. While playing catch with Moreta, Duane Underwood Jr. couldn’t help but notice that Moreta’s slider moves two ways, first...
Pirates dealt a ‘big blow’ as shortstop Oneil Cruz fractures ankle in home plate collision
After an awkward slide and collision with Chicago White Sox catcher Seby Zavala, Oneil Cruz was in obvious pain, and his left leg bent at an odd angle underneath him. Cruz slid backward to inch away from home plate before turning onto his right side. As benches cleared in the...
Pirates farm report for April 8, 2023: Mike Burrows leaves with injury as Indy wins 4th straight
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 4-4) opened the season with four straight losses followed by four straight wins, beating Louisville (Reds), 5-4. RHP Mike Burrows (2.70) started but left the game with an injury in the second inning. LHP Cam Alldred (1-0, 0.00) pitched 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out...
Vince Velasquez exits early, Andrew McCutchen homers late as White Sox snap Pirates’ win streak
Vince Velasquez got goosebumps in anticipation of making his first start for the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, and the right-hander had extra motivation in facing his former Chicago White Sox teammates. What Velasquez didn’t have was control. Velasquez was pulled in the third inning after allowing five runs on...
MLB rule changes quickly catching on with Pirates fans
In an alternate universe, Friday’s game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox might have eclipsed four hours in length. The teams combined for 22 runs and 30 hits in 80 at-bats, with seven pitchers taking the mound. But with MLB’s rule changes, highlighted by the pitch clock, Friday’s...
Pirates farm report for April 7, 2023: Tucupita Marcano swinging hot bat for Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 3-4) ran its winning streak to three with a 5-3 win over Louisville (Reds). SS Tucupita Marcano (.500) went 3 for 5 with three doubles and three runs scored. C Endy Rodriguez (.211) was 2 for 4 with an RBI. CF Travis Swaggerty (.276) went 1 for 5...
Gov. Josh Shapiro sets tone for Pirates victory with 1st strike of the day
The first pitch of the day was right down the middle. The catcher never moved his glove. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was so proud of it that he was eager to offer proof when approached for comment. “Did you throw a strike, Governor?” a reporter asked. “You bet I did,”...
Pirates triumphant in Andrew McCutchen’s return behind Bryan Reynolds’ 6 RBIs
The black-clad crowd chanted M-V-P during the introduction of Andrew McCutchen in his return for the Pittsburgh Pirates, bringing back that Buctober feeling to PNC Park. The trade that sent McCutchen to the San Francisco Giants five years ago came full circle when fans later serenaded the player the Pirates...
A.J. Burnett, Russell Martin reunite at PNC Park to throw 1st pitch for Pirates’ home opener
In front of an expected sellout crowd at PNC Park for the home opener, the Pittsburgh Pirates paid homage to their 2013 team that advanced to the National League Divisional Series and ended a streak of 20 consecutive losing seasons. Former battery mates A.J. Burnett and Russell Martin reunited for...
‘He’s home’: Fans greet Andrew McCutchen with raucous reception during home opener
Pirates fans waited five years for this moment. No. 22 is back. Andrew McCutchen returned as a Pirate to PNC Park on Friday for the team’s home opener and was embraced by about 40,000 people in attendance. “To wear No. 22 again,” he said, “there is nothing else like it.”...
Pirates notebook: Biggest crowd in years fills PNC Park for opener
Plenty of indicators prior to first pitch Friday afternoon pointed to a pretty full house at PNC Park for the Pirates’ 2023 home opener. For starters, there were the full parking lots full of tailgating fans and backed-up masses of people eager to get in the ballpark well before the...
Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen finds right mix of nostalgia and having a job to do
Andrew McCutchen understands he has a job to do as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ designated hitter and No. 3 hitter in the batting order. But he’s also embracing the nostalgia of his first game back at PNC Park in six years. “You don’t separate it. You embrace it,” he said before...
For Pirates closer David Bednar, home opener hits different than in years prior
David Bednar has made the southward drive from his home in Mars to Pittsburgh’s North Shore countless times. Now in Year 3 with the Pirates, showing up to work at PNC Park is nothing new for the 28-year-old closer, who, in addition to having pitched a total of 109 games...
Andrew McCutchen says goodbye to visitors’ clubhouse at PNC Park, hello to new career chapter
Perhaps the most difficult part of Andrew McCutchen’s day was meeting with a room full of reporters Friday morning — before his first cup of coffee. But that was OK. Because the best part of his day already had happened. All he had to do was walk inside PNC Park...
North Side author pens book about Pittsburgh’s baseball parks history
The start of a new baseball season brings hope, beginning with the first pitch. The annual tradition of fans gathering at PNC Park for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener inspired North Side resident Mark T. Fatla to think of the people over the years making their way to the ballpark,...
Mark Madden: Remember how this ends, Pirates fans
Friday was opening day for the Pirates’ home schedule. Or Opening Day. Depending on how you feel about it. (Thanks, Jim Bouton.) There is a groundswell of enthusiasm for the Pirates given their 5-2 start after a 13-9 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Friday was supposed to be a...
Optimism is in the air at PNC Park as Pirates open home scheduleVideo
There is nothing quite like the home opener as baseball season kicks into gear. The crack of the bat. The sizzling of the grill. The roar of the crowd. It’s the time of year to welcome spring and gather once again inside PNC Park on Pittsburgh’s North Shore, this time...
On Sports: After sweep, Pirates needle Red Sox over ‘hodgepodge of nothingness’ comment; NHL playoff race narrows
Those who steward the Pittsburgh Pirates’ social media accounts deserve a hodgepodge of a raise. In their race for a playoff spot, the Penguins don’t have to worry about two competitors anymore. And a local hockey star shines on college hockey’s biggest stage. All in what is a very Good...
5 things to know about 2023 Pirates’ home openerVideo
Andrew McCutchen, A.J. Burnett, Russell Martin and an expected sold-out crowd decked out in black jerseys and T-shirts should make for quite a spectacle at the Pirates’ home opener Friday. There will be plenty to see and enjoy before the Pirates (4-2) take the field to face the Chicago White...
Pirates farm report for April 7, 2023: Travis Swaggerty stars in Indy doubleheader sweep
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 2-4) after losing its first four games of the season, Indianapolis swept a doubleheader from Louisville (Reds) on Thursday. In the first game, a 5-3 win, RF Travis Swaggerty went 1 for 3 and hit his first home run. RHP Luis Ortiz (1.08) allowed one run on three...
