Pirates/MLB category, Page 186
After struggling early, Michael Perez flashing power for Pirates with more playing time
When the Pittsburgh Pirates claimed Michael Perez off waivers to be a backup catcher, they received reports from Tampa Bay that the left-handed hitter had the ability to drive the ball. Where Perez showed flashes of power, going 3 for 3 with a two-run double and a solo home run...
First Call: NFL commissioner supports Carl Nassib; Pirates prepare for AL Central elite, must ponder Jack Leiter
Tuesday’s “First Call” sees some NFL support for former Penn State star Carl Nassib. The Pirates have to face an old nemesis, and their MLB Draft Day decision may have just gotten more difficult. Plus, former Buccos star Neil Walker has an entertaining flashback. Full support NFL commissioner Roger Goodell...
As Derek Shelton’s quick hook draws criticism, Pirates manager explains method for pitching moves
Derek Shelton isn’t surprised by the second-guessing from Pittsburgh Pirates fans and followers every time he makes a decision that backfires, especially when it comes to giving his starting pitchers a quick hook. The Pirates manager does it to himself every day. “Actually, I do revisit every decision,” Shelton said...
First Call: Idea floated for Steelers to acquire former WPIAL star; who may be interested in trading for Adam Frazier?
Monday’s “First Call” looks at the idea of the Steelers swinging a trade with the New England Patriots to bring a former WPIAL star back to Pittsburgh. We wonder why the Steelers may want guard Trai Turner and who may offer a trade for Pirates infielder Adam Frazier. Plus, we...
Tim Benz: Major League Baseball has no one to blame for ‘sticky situation’ but itself
As Major League Baseball plans to transition into the post-Spider Tack era on Monday, controversy is sure to follow. Arguments. Social media flame wars. Whining pitchers. Beanballs — accidental and retaliatory. Slower games thanks to incessant spot checks, more walks, wild pitches and deeper counts. And the game will have...
Madden Monday: ‘We’re pretending Dwayne Haskins might be good, and he won’t be’; Pirates’ Derek Shelton ‘is an amateur’
Mark Madden is back from an extended weekend, and he has opinions stored up and ready to fly. In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, we start by discussing the rumors that PLB Sports & Entertainment CEO Ty Ballou wanted to buy the Pirates, even though they aren’t for sale. Madden...
Pirates farm report for June 20, 2021: Wilmer Difo’s heads up baserunning leads Indianapolis to walk-off win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 23-18) defeated Memphis (Cardinals), 8-7 in 11 innings. RF Christian Bethancourt (.278) singled home CF Anthony Alford (.302), and 3B Wilmer Difo (.244) sneaked home after a play at third base to score the walk-off win in the bottom of the 11th inning. Alford finished 2 for 2...
With June surge, Pirates’ Bryan Reynolds back to making big splash with his bat
Asked if he would be willing to jump into the Allegheny River to retrieve a home run ball like the shirtless Pittsburgh Pirates fan shown on the television broadcast, Bryan Reynolds cracked a sly smile and answered in the affirmative. “I just saw the picture of the guy doing the...
Indians spoil JT Brubaker’s strong performance to beat Pirates, avoid series sweep
JT Brubaker had tied his career highs for strikeouts and longest outing when the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander gave up a double off the Clemente Wall to Eddie Rosario in the seventh inning. Brubaker saw left-handed hitter Josh Naylor in the on-deck circle, so he peaked out to the bullpen. Lefty...
Pirates place lefty reliever Sam Howard on 10-day IL, recall Austin Davis from Indianapolis
The Pittsburgh Pirates swapped left-handers in their bullpen Sunday, placing Sam Howard on the 10-day injured list and recalling Austin Davis from Triple-A Indianapolis. Howard, who is dealing with tendinitis in his right knee, was coming off a career-worst performance Friday night, when he allowed six runs on four hits...
Pirates farm report for June 19, 2021: Will Craig homers in Indianapolis win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 22-18) pounded out 14 hits and beat Memphis (Cardinals), 11-5. 3B Hunter Owen hit a sixth-inning grand slam, his fourth homer of the season. 1B Will Craig went 2 for 4 with a double, his fourth Triple-A home run of the season and three RBIs. He’s hitting .311...
Michael Perez, Bryan Reynolds hit 3-run blasts as Pirates rally
Where the Cleveland Indians’ right-handed hitters looked to left field for a trio of solo home runs — with one ricocheting off the rotunda — the Pittsburgh Pirates’ lefties took aim at a different target at PNC Park. Michael Perez and Bryan Reynolds hit three-run homers over the Clemente Wall...
Pirates GM Ben Cherington hopes to add a ‘ton of talent’ by draft, trades over next 6 weeks
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington is unapologetic about assessing the team’s needs, with acquiring a “ton of talent” among his top priorities. Cherington hopes to change that over the next six weeks as the Pirates have the top overall pick in the MLB Draft on July 11-13 and are...
Pirates GM ‘encouraged’ with how top-3 prospect Oneil Cruz is playing
Oneil Cruz is not only one of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ top prospects but unquestionably the hottest. The Altoona Curve shortstop is riding a 20-game on-base streak, crushing tape-measure home runs and showing off his athleticism and above-average arm. Before the Pirates promote him to Triple-A Indianapolis, general manager Ben Cherington...
Pirates GM Ben Cherington believes Mitch Keller is in a ‘good spot’ at Triple-A Indianapolis
Ben Cherington says that it was “completely coincidental” that he was in Indianapolis at the same time as Mitch Keller, but the Pittsburgh Pirates general manager used it to spend time talking with the struggling right-hander. “I really believe he’s in a good spot, and he’s committed,” Cherington said Saturday...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Want to be popular? Offer to buy the Pirates
I’m putting together a group to buy the Pittsburgh Pirates. We will bring back the Bulls, Condors, Crawfords, Hardhats, Forge, Maulers, Phantoms, Power, Spirit and Triangles, too. (That’s indoor lacrosse, pro basketball, Negro League baseball, softball, junior hockey, football, roller hockey, arena football, indoor soccer and team tennis.) Robert Morris...
Pirates farm report for June 18, 2021: Greensboro’s Aaron Shackelford hits 11th HR
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 21-18) was routed 10-1 by Memphis (Cardinals), managing just four hits. LF Anthony Alford, hitting in the leadoff spot, had two of them, going 2 for 4 with a double. C Jason Delay went 1 for 2 with a solo home run, his second. RHP Max Kranick started...
Pirates nearly blow double-digit lead, hold on to beat Indians to snap 10-game losing streak
The Pittsburgh Pirates responded to their double-digit losing streak by scoring double-digit runs for a double-digit lead — one they almost blew. After losing 10 consecutive games, the Pirates took out their frustrations early on the Cleveland Indians, then hung on for dear life. With the tying run at third...
Adam Frazier an All-Star? Pirates 2B receiving national recognition, votes for his hitting
When Adam Frazier came to bat with two outs, runners on second and third and trailing by one run and smacked the game winner over the Clemente Wall at PNC Park, his teammates mobbed him in celebration. Half of them, anyway. Frazier’s walk-off homer was part of an intrasquad batting...
As bad as Pirates are, another team is playing even worse; both could be losing for a long time
Pirates fans should circle the dates of July 19-21. It’s the second series coming out of the All-Star break. That’s when the Pirates (23-44) visit the Arizona Diamondbacks (20-50). So unless Major League Baseball implements ties between now and then, one of those teams is guaranteed to claim a victory....
Pirates farm report for June 17, 2021: Mason Martin goes deep twice in Altoona win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 21-17) beat Memphis (Cardinals) 3-2 in 11 innings. 3B Wilmer Difo hit the game-winning RBI single in the 11th. He went 1 for 5. LF Anthony Alford went 1 for 4 with an RBI single in the fifth. 2B T.J. Rivera went 2 for 4. 1B Will Craig...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans are fretting; Penguins fans are pushing back; Pirates fans are just fed up
This edition of “U mad, bro?” touches all the bases. Oops. Sorry. Too soon? Ke'Bryan Hayes hits a home run for the Pirates, but missed first base. #Dodgers win the challenge. It remains 0-0 pic.twitter.com/uLa7FzTFVP— AM 570 LA Sports (@AM570LASports) June 9, 2021 This week we’ve got Steelers fans fretting...
With ‘no magic elixir’ for 10-game losing streak, Pirates are hoping a day off does the trick
If there was a simple solution to snapping a 10-game losing streak, Derek Shelton swears he would have done it by now. The Pittsburgh Pirates are down to hoping a day off does the trick. “There’s no magic elixir,” Shelton said. “If there was, I’d be using it already. Just...
Pirates farm report for June 16, 2021: Anthony Alford stays hot for Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 20-17) defeated Memphis (Cardinals), 6-1, for the second straight game. CF Chris Sharpe (.198) hit a three-run home run. LF Anthony Alford (.279) smacked a solo homer, and C Jason Delay (.226) was 2 for 4 with a home run. Alford now has six home runs and 19...
Josh Bell’s homer lifts Nationals to sweep series, hand Pirates 10th consecutive loss
With the Pittsburgh Pirates plunging toward rock bottom in a season sinking into the abyss, a familiar face delivered the final dagger. Josh Bell blasted a two-run homer in the seventh inning to lift the Washington Nationals to a 3-1 victory Wednesday afternoon at Nationals Park for a sweep of...
