Pirates/MLB category, Page 149
Homers by Luis Gonzalez, Joc Pederson boost Giants past Pirates
Zach Thompson was one the Pittsburgh Pirates’ most effective starting pitchers last month, but the right-hander was off target from the start against the San Francisco Giants. Two pitches he missed in particular proved to be the difference. Luis Gonzalez and Joc Pederson hit solo home runs, and Giants left-hander...
Pirates All-Star CF rediscovers swing to get ‘back to the Bryan Reynolds we know and love’
After struggling to find his swing for the first two months of the season, Bryan Reynolds finally is starting to feel like himself. That’s a simply stated but powerful development for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Especially if it means Reynolds is returning to All-Star form. Over the eight-game road trip to...
Surprise at shortstop: With Tucupita Marcano on covid-IL, Pirates promote Liover Peguero
With Pittsburgh Pirates fans awaiting the arrival of top prospect Oneil Cruz, another shortstop prospect was the subject of a surprise roster move before Friday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants. No one was more surprised than Liover Peguero. “I still can’t believe this,” Peguero said Friday night after...
Pirates place OF Canaan Smith-Njigba on 60-day IL, call up LHP Cam Vieaux
Only three games into his major-league career, Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba is headed for the 60-day injured list with a nondisplaced fracture of the schaphoid bone in his right wrist. The Pirates selected the contract of 28-year-old lefty reliever Cam Vieaux from Triple-A Indianapolis, where he was 3-0 with...
Pirates farm report for June 16, 2022: Oneil Cruz singles, doubles in Indy loss
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 30-31) was humbled by Gwinnett (Braves), 10-5. RHP Osvaldo Bido (1-4, 5.28) started and surrendered six runs, five earned, on seven hits, including two home runs. SS Oneil Cruz (.236) went 2 for 5 with a double. RF Travis Swaggerty (.283) was 2 for 5 with a triple...
Analysis: Pirates could send important message by finally promoting top prospect Oneil Cruz
With every loss, the chorus of calls for Oneil Cruz to be called up to the Pittsburgh Pirates has grown louder, and the patience to prioritize the development of the 6-foot-7 shortstop has worn thinner. The Pirates lost nine consecutive games on a road trip to Atlanta and St. Louis...
Tim Benz: Bryan Reynolds, David Bednar stopped the Pirates’ bleeding; now others need to contribute in homestand
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ losing streak finally ended after nine games thanks to a 6-4 victory in St. Louis on Wednesday night. More specifically, it ended because of outfielder Bryan Reynolds. His tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning was the difference. Bryan Reynolds in June ???? pic.twitter.com/Z6vhXOfcZg— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates)...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans in QB mode already; Penguins fans antsy about offseason moves; Pirates fans despondent
The Stanley Cup Final isn’t even over yet, but Pittsburgh Penguins fans are all worked up about what’s coming in the offseason. As they should be. Steelers fans are firing off opinions about the quarterback depth chart. As they should be. And Pirates fans are fed up. As they should...
Pirates farm report for June 15, 2022: Matt Gorski homers in Altoona win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 30-30) was edged out by Gwinnett (Braves), 5-4. CF Jared Oliva (.228) went 1 for 4 with a two-run homer, his fifth. LF Travis Swaggerty (.279) went 1 for 4 with a pair of RBIs. RF Bligh Madris (.301) was 2 for 4 with a double. 2B Ji-hwan...
Pirates snap 9-game losing streak behind Bryan Reynolds’ homer, David Bednar’s 8-out save
After the Pittsburgh Pirates lost their ninth consecutive game, manager Derek Shelton hoped aloud that someone would come through with a big hit and execute a pitch to stop the slide. The best bets to do that were Bryan Reynolds and David Bednar. Both delivered in a big way. Reynolds...
Mark Madden: Super-size athletes can make extra large impact
Fat has come to the forefront of the Pittsburgh sports scene. Excuse me, did I say fat? I meant to say beefy, big-boned, heavyset, stocky or any of the other terms that patronizingly substitute but are no less aggravating to us fatsos. The Pittsburgh athlete who recently made fat where...
First Call: Former Steeler makes ‘All-Underrated’ list; Derek Shelton on near no-hitter; ex-Penguin’s coaching achievement
Wednesday’s “First Call” features some praise for a few current Pittsburgh Steelers and a former Super Bowl champion. Derek Shelton reflects on Cal Mitchell’s at-bat to break up last night’s no-hit bid in St. Louis. And a former Penguin hauls in a coaching honor. No complaints here Former Steelers linebacker...
Pirates OF Canaan Smith-Njigba, C Jason Delay have unforgettable moments in MLB debuts
Canaan Smith-Njigba had prepared his whole life for his major league debut, so he wasn’t going to complain about spending nearly two games in the Pittsburgh Pirates dugout before getting in a game. When he got the call to pinch hit for Yu Chang with two outs in the ninth...
Pirates farm report for June 14, 2022: Quinn Priester, Mike Burrows roughed up
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 30-29) was beaten by Gwinnett (Braves), 8-2. RHP Miguel Yajure (3.52) started and worked three innings, allowing one unearned run on one hit and one walk with two strikeouts. LHP Joe Jacques (0-1, 40.50) took the loss, allowing three runs, two earned, on one hit and two walks...
Cal Mitchell breaks up no-hit bid by Miles Mikolas in 9th as Cardinals crush Pirates
The outcome was long decided when Miles Mikolas reached the 100-pitch mark, yet the St. Louis Cardinals had no intention of pulling the 33-year-old right-hander from the game. Mikolas was one out away from making history when Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Cal Mitchell hit a 2-2 curveball for a double over...
Crazy plays, errors plague Pirates against Cardinals in 8th consecutive loss
Just when the Pittsburgh Pirates appeared run down during a seven-game losing streak, the St. Louis Cardinals made them chase them around the diamond in a rundown for the ages. Score it a fielder’s choice 6-4-2-5-6-2. That was part of a sequence of wild plays in the fourth inning of...
Mitch Keller shows growth by expanding pitch portfolio, diversifying usage
It’s probably too early to say that Mitch Keller is “reinventing himself.” Based on his struggles at the Major League level (9-22 career record, 5.79 ERA), it’s easier to argue that the first edition of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher has never been a completely finished product. But the 26-year-old right-hander...
Pirates blow 5-run lead to Cardinals to suffer 7th consecutive defeat
When Mitch Keller walked off the mound at Busch Stadium, the right-hander had tossed five scoreless innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates were holding a five-run lead over the St. Louis Cardinals. Then came the collapse. Dylan Carlson hit a three-run home run as the Cardinals rallied with a five-run sixth...
Pirates recall IF Hoy Park, OF Canaan Smith-Njigba, RHP Bryse Wilson
The Pittsburgh Pirates made roster moves that increased the number of position players available for their four-game series at St. Louis — which includes a doubleheader Tuesday — but leaves their bullpen short. The Pirates recalled infielderHoy Park and outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba from Triple-A Indianapolis before Monday’s game at St....
Pirates rookie Tucupita Marcano providing pop at top of order, solid defense at 2B
Tucupita Marcano has found himself in new positions for the Pittsburgh Pirates, playing left field when there was a shortage of outfielders before moving to second base when the infield was in need. Against Atlanta, it was at the top of the order. Batting leadoff just ahead of Bryan Reynolds...
Pirates farm report for June 12, 2022: Ernny Ordonez, Fabricio Macias carry Greensboro to win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 30-28) dropped an 11-5 decision to Columbus (Guardians). SS/RF Hoy Park (.250) went 3 for 5 with two runs scored from the leadoff spot. CF Ji-hwan Bae (.303) was 2 for 5 with an RBI. 3B Rodolfo Castro (.232) hit a two-run home run and had three RBIs....
Adam Duvall homers twice as Braves sweep Pirates, who lose 6th straight
Where Bryan Reynolds found his groove in Atlanta, the Pittsburgh Pirates dug a ditch. Reynolds rediscovered his swing and homered in back-to-back games, but Adam Duvall hit two home runs as the Braves went deep four times in a 5-3 win Sunday afternoon at Truist Park to sweep the four-game...
Pirates farm report for June 11, 2022: Oneil Cruz drives in 3 runs in Indy win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 30-27) used a nine-run third inning to beat Columbus (Guardians), 12-7. SS Oneil Cruz (.232) went 2 for 5 with a triple, two runs scored and three RBIs. LF Canaan Smith-Njigba (.278) went 3 for 5 with a double, triple and three RBIs. CF Ji-hwan Bae (.301) went...
Ozzie Albies hits grand slam to cap 8-run 7th inning as Braves rally past Pirates
The Atlanta Braves had turned a two-run deficit into a two-run lead when Ozzie Albies came to bat with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh against the Pittsburgh Pirates. After falling behind to an 0-2 count, Albies fouled off three Chris Stratton pitches before connecting on a...
Diego Castillo embracing role as Pirates shortstop, even if it’s temporary
The surprise of spring training, Diego Castillo earned a spot on the Opening Day roster in part because of his bat. Now he’s the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting shortstop, even if only temporarily, thanks to the consistency of his glove. Only 47 games into his major-league career, the 24-year-old super-utility player...
