Pirates/MLB category, Page 183
Tim Benz: Sports Illustrated reporter sees 2 teams out front in the Adam Frazier trade sweepstakes
Wednesday’s 14-3 Pirates loss to the Atlanta Braves featured another multi-hit day for All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier. Pirates fans better enjoy those moments while they can because there likely won’t be too many games between the All-Star Game next week and the July 30 trade deadline before the team...
U mad, bro?: Pirates fans sound off about big picture, fret about future
The Pirates have won three of their last four, but that doesn’t seem to matter in this week’s “U mad, bro?” inbox. Buccos fans are fretting about the future, bummed about the big picture and “on tilt” about ownership. Get back to me when they’ve won 10 in a row...
Pirates farm report for July 7, 2021: Michael Burrows fans 10 in Greensboro win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 27-28) was shut out for the second straight game, losing 2-0 to Columbus (Indians) in a game shortened to eight innings by rain. RHP James Marvel started and allowed two runs on seven hits in 6.1 innings. He fell to 3-2. RHP Nick Mears threw 1.2 innings of...
Braves hammer 18 hits as Pirates lose out on 1st series sweep of the season
When he was on third base with a two-run lead and no outs in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves, John Nogowski never imagined he would find himself on the mound in the ninth. “No, but baseball is a pretty crazy game,” Nogowski said. “It keeps you on your...
For Pirates GM Ben Cherington, owning top pick in MLB Draft ‘doesn’t feel like a burden’
The Pittsburgh Pirates own the No. 1 overall selection in the MLB Draft for the fifth time in franchise history, and Ben Cherington sees it as a chance to change their trajectory for the foreseeable future. But the Pirates general manager also is aware of their previous top picks. The...
Pirates sign veteran infielder Dee Strange-Gordon to minor-league deal, ESPN reports
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Dee Strange-Gordon to a minor-league contract, and the 10-year veteran infielder will report to Triple-A Indianapolis, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Wednesday afternoon. Strange-Gordon, 33, is a two-time All-Star who can play second base or shortstop. He won the NL batting title, Silver Slugger and a Gold...
Pirates placed RF Gregory Polanco on IL when he ‘couldn’t run effectively’
The Pittsburgh Pirates shut down Gregory Polanco when the right fielder felt discomfort running at maximum speed but remain optimistic that he will return shortly after the All-Star break. Polanco was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a bilateral adductor strain, which Pirates director of sports medicine Todd...
First Call: A Steeler who might get cut; a player the Steelers should sign; unique WPIAL showdown at PNC Park
A running back the Steelers might cut. An offensive lineman the Steelers might sign. And high praise for Najee Harris, Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Plus, a WPIAL alumni showdown at PNC Park. All that in Wednesday’s “First Call.” Bye-bye, Benny? ESPN.com found one NFL veteran from each...
Pirates farm report for July 6, 2021: Mitch Keller throws 5 scoreless for Indy
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 27-27) managed just three hits and lost 1-0 to Columbus (Indians). RHP Mitch Keller made a strong start, giving up two hits and no runs in five innings, striking out four and walking none. Keller has a 1.84 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 14.2 innings since being sent...
Bryan Reynolds draws bases-loaded walk; Pirates gets walk-off win
Walks by Pittsburgh Pirates rookies Rodolfo Castro and Ke’Bryan Hayes, sandwiched around a single by Adam Frazier, loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth inning of a tied game. Bryan Reynolds wasn’t inclined to swing at any pitches by Atlanta Braves left-handed reliever Tyler Matzek unless they were...
Pirates place Gregory Polanco, Phillip Evans on IL, recall Rodolfo Castro, Cole Tucker from minors
As injuries continue to take their toll on the Pittsburgh Pirates, they responded to the lastest roster moves by promoting from within. The Pirates placed right fielder Gregory Polanco on the 10-day injured list and corner infielder/outfielder Phillip Evans on the seven-day concussion IL Tuesday and recalled infielders Rodolfo Castro...
Tim Benz: Pirates can embrace the future without so obviously spitting in the face of the present
It was just one thought from Ben Cherington during an 18-minute interview. And it was said in almost a throw-away fashion by the Pirates general manager. But I hope he was paying attention to the words coming out of his own mouth. On 93.7 The Fan Thursday, host Andrew Fillipponi...
Pirates 1B John Nogowski makes strong 1st impression in starting debut
After a week in which his major-league career was placed on hold and he wondered where he would play next, John Nogowski wanted to make a positive first impression on the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates wasted no time to see what Nogowski could do, starting him at first base and...
Ben Gamel homers twice, has career-high 6 RBIs as Pirates pummel Braves
Even though Ben Gamel was amid a career-best performance, when the Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder heard the M-V-P chants from the left field bleachers at PNC Park, he thought they were directed at someone else. “I thought they were for Bryan (Reynolds) in center,” a smiling Gamel said of his All-Star...
Pirates outfielder Jared Oliva hears cheers at PNC Park, checks off more boxes in 2nd stint
Jared Oliva checked off some of the most important firsts in his career last year as a September call-up, when the Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder made his major league debut and recorded his first career hit. It wasn’t until he returned to the Pirates last Thursday that Oliva got his first...
Pirates farm report for July 4, 2021: J.C. Flowers pitches Greensboro to victory
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 27-26) lost 5-2 to Iowa (Cubs). RF Christian Bethancourt (.297) was 2 for 4 with a solo home run, his fifth of the season. SS Cole Tucker (.214) also knocked in a run. 2B T.J. Rivera (.275) added two hits. RHP Luis Oviedo (0-1, 9.00) allowed two runs...
Pirates OF Bryan Reynolds named All-Star, earning a spot on the NL roster as a reserve
Bryan Reynolds always dreamed of playing in the All-Star Game but made contingency plans during the break for the Midsummer Classic, just in case. The Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder was happy to change his itinerary Sunday, when he was selected to the All-Star Game as a National League reserve through...
Tyler Anderson tosses 7 scoreless innings, Kevin Newman homers as Pirates beat Brewers
The Pittsburgh Pirates were protecting a two-run lead with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth inning. Derek Shelton didn’t send his starting pitcher to the on-deck circle. Not that the Pirates manager had any intention of pinch-hitting for Tyler Anderson, given the way he was cruising through...
Pirates notebook: Double-A prospects Oneil Cruz, Roansy Contreras dealing with sore arms
Two of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ top prospects at Double-A Altoona, shortstop Oneil Cruz and right-hander Roansy Contreras, are dealing with forearm issues and will be evaluated this week by the team’s medical staff, general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday. Cherington revealed on his weekly radio show on 93.7 FM that...
Pirates farm report for July 3, 2021: Max Kranick knocked around in Indy
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 27-25) was outslugged by Iowa (Cubs), 9-7. RHP Max Kranick, coming off five perfect innings in his MLB debut last Sunday, started and went three innings, getting tagged for five runs on six hits, including a grand slam. 3B Hunter Owen went 2 for 3 with his seventh...
Neil Walker returns to Pirates to throw out 1st pitch, will announce draft pick, games
After Neil Walker took the mound at PNC Park to throw out the ceremonial first pitch Saturday afternoon, he delivered a couple of strikes for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Walker revealed he has accepted an invitation to announce who the Pirates select with the No. 1 overall pick in the MLB...
Brewers pounce on Cody Ponce, hammer Pirates for 16 hits to win 11th consecutive
The Pittsburgh Pirates weren’t counting on Cody Ponce to pitch perfect in his spot start — the way Max Kranick did — but rather to avoid throwing the ball over the middle of the plate against Milwaukee. Where Kranick batted before he took the mound in his major league debut...
Pirates acquire 1B John Nogowski from Cardinals, place OF Ka’ai Tom on 10-day IL
With injuries to Colin Moran and Erik Gonzalez making depth an issue at first base, the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired John Nogowski from the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday for cash considerations. Nogowski, 28, had been designated for assignment by the Cardinals on June 28. He started the season with the...
Pirates farm report for July 2, 2021: Curve’s Trey McGough strikes out 9 in victory
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 27-24) fell 5-2 to Iowa (Cubs). The Indians managed just four hits. RF Christian Bethancourt (.294) had an RBI single, his 23rd of the season. 2B T.J. Rivera (.265) hit an RBI double. SS Cole Tucker (.208) was 1 for 4. RHP Steven Wright (3-4, 5.80) allowed three...
Brewers star Christian Yelich surprises 11-year-old fan with autographed bat at Pirates game
A day after getting a high five and social media shout-out from Milwaukee Brewers star Christian Yelich for leaning over the left field railing to catch a Bryan Reynolds foul ball, Christian Gale got an even bigger surprise. The 11-year-old from Kansas City, Mo., returned to PNC Park for the...
