Pirates/MLB category, Page 194
Newest challenge for Pirates: Stopping scoreless streak after back-to-back shutouts
Derek Shelton demonstrated his dismay with the Pittsburgh Pirates’ lack of offensive production by shuffling the batting order with eyebrow-raising moves amid what is now a five-game losing streak. On Sunday, the Pirates manager moved Bryan Reynolds and Colin Moran up in the order to the Nos. 2 and 3...
Padres end Tyler Anderson’s no-hit bid in 7th inning, rally to shut out Pirates
When Tyler Anderson reached the seventh inning, the Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander was aware that he hadn’t allowed a hit against the San Diego Padres — and also that the game was still a scoreless tie. Anderson wasn’t about to put pressure on himself to throw a no-hitter, let alone worry...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Return of Ke’Bryan Hayes would be boost for slumping Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates limped out of town Sunday after being swept by the St. Louis Cardinals to cap a homestand in which they lost four of five games, yet there was hope on the horizon. This rollercoaster of a season, where we have watched the Pirates lose six straight, win...
Harrison Bader’s 3-run homer off Wil Crowe lifts Cardinals to sweep of Pirates
After Wil Crowe left a hanging slider that Harrison Bader hit for a three-run homer in the first inning, the Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher came to a quick realization about his pitch repertoire. Though his fastball never felt better, the rookie right-hander couldn’t count on his offspeed stuff. So he...
Pirates manager: Adam Frazier’s backhand stop ‘one of best plays I have ever seen a 2B make’
The Pittsburgh Pirates weren’t sure which was more unbelievable: the backhand stop and jump-throw Adam Frazier made or the way the second baseman shrugged it off afterward. “It’s one of the best plays I have ever seen a second baseman make,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said after the 12-5 loss...
Cardinals crank out 15 hits to pound Pirates, clinch series
Trevor Cahill allowed three of the first four batters he faced to reach base and already gave up a run by the time he faced Paul DeJong with runners on first and second base in the first inning. DeJong cleared the bases with a three-run homer to get the St....
Pirates GM ‘encouraged’ by progress made by third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes with wrist injury
Ben Cherington is encouraged by the progress being made by Ke’Bryan Hayes, and the Pittsburgh Pirates general manager said Saturday he expects the rookie third baseman to join the club on its road trip. Hayes, who has been on the injured list since April 4, is throwing and running to...
Pirates 1st-rounder Travis Swaggerty to start in Triple-A Indy
When the Pittsburgh Pirates announced the rosters for their minor league affiliates, Travis Swaggerty’s name was missing from the Altoona Curve for a good reason. The Pirates decided to have the 23-year-old outfielder skip Double-A and report directly to Triple-A Indianapolis, where he will compete for playing time with Anthony...
Mistakes cost Pirates, who drop below .500 after loss to Cardinals
Searching for an outfielder, the Pittsburgh Pirates turned to the waiver wire to find Ka’ai Tom. The Rule 5 pick with the memorable name had a forgettable starting debut. Tom misplayed two fly balls in left field that fell for RBI doubles and made a baserunning gaffe that might have...
Pirates lefty Sam Howard has developed into a reliever at the ready out of bullpen
As Sam Howard watches the Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitchers to see if they are allowing runners on base or closing on their pitch counts, he starts stretching and throwing weighted balls to get ready. Howard isn’t just waiting for the bullpen phone to ring. He’s secretly hoping the Pirates are...
Pirates’ No. 2 prospect Oneil Cruz to start in Double-A, top pick Nick Gonzales in High-A
After a season without minor league baseball, the Pittsburgh Pirates are in the process of assigning players to their affiliates, and four of their top five prospects are on rosters at three different levels. Top prospect Ke’Bryan Hayes made the Opening Day roster but has been on the injured list...
How long can the Pirates sustain their competitive start? Here are 3 angles to consider
I can’t think of any Pirates fan — or Pittsburgh media member (this one included) — who thought this edition of the team could be at .500 by the end of April. For a team expected to lose at least 100 games, going 12-12 to begin 2021 is applause-worthy for...
With good glove, timely hitting, Erik Gonzalez making a case to stay in the Pirates’ lineup
When Hunter Dozier’s 107-mph rocket came streaking down the third-base line in the fourth inning, Erik Gonzalez made a stop that dropped him to the dirt. Gonzalez came up on his left knee and threw across his body to second base to start an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play. Pittsburgh Pirates...
Mitch Keller’s short start leads to long night for Pirates in loss to Royals
As Mitch Keller threw pitch after pitch — almost half of them for balls — the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander’s body language was telling: This was going to be a short start and a long night. A 47-pitch first inning doomed Keller, who got three-ball counts against four of the first...
Pirates get ‘very, very encouraging news’ on Ke’Bryan Hayes’ wrist injury
The Pittsburgh Pirates received “very encouraging news” regarding the left wrist of rookie third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, who has been on the injured list since April 4 and reaggravated the injury last Wednesday. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Hayes returned to Pittsburgh and was re-examined by specialists...
Pirates will remain at 25% capacity for home games through May
The Pittsburgh Pirates will keep 25% capacity for home games through the month of May, according to an official. The team put tickets on sale for 13 games at PNC Park on Wednesday morning, starting with May 10 vs. the Cincinnati Reds through May 30 against the Colorado Rockies. “For...
By extending MLB-best scoreless streak, Richard Rodriguez captures Pirates’ closer role
Derek Shelton has been reluctant to name a closer for the Pittsburgh Pirates, so Richard Rodriguez made it easy on his manager by seizing the job with the longest scoreless streak in baseball. Asked if that makes him The Closer — yes, with a capital C — Shelton simply shrugged....
Wilmer Difo’s pinch-hit RBI single in 7th leads Pirates past Royals
The Kansas City Royals came to PNC Park with baseball’s best record, riding a five-game winning streak and with a small-market, team-building template the Pittsburgh Pirates want to follow. In a span of three seasons, the Royals went from worst to first in the AL Central, turning a 104-loss team...
New outfielder Ka’ai Tom hoping to make quick impact on Pirates
Ka’ai Tom doesn’t hesitate to help enunciate his Hawaiian first name — it’s pronounced kuh-EYE — and the newest Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder even offered a bit of advice to their broadcasters. “Think of the apostrophe as a pause,” Tom said, “like a hiccup.” That’s the perfect analogy for Tom’s arrival,...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Pirates back to .500, thanks to clicking ‘pen, Reynolds’ resurgence
That the Pittsburgh Pirates are at .500 only 22 games into the season wouldn’t be cause for celebration in most years — and shouldn’t be — but is bringing optimism to a club projected to lose 100-plus games. The Pirates have played all but one full game without Ke’Bryan Hayes,...
First Call: Was ESPN analyst’s shot at Steelers offensive line fair? Alex Ovechkin injury update; Pirates host hot Royals
In our first “First Call” back from vacation, we look at a slap across the face of the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line. We have an injury update on Alexander Ovechkin as a date against the Penguins looms. Alejandro Villanueva may have competition for that potential new job he’s supposed to...
Tim Benz: On Mike Tomlin’s contract extension; Justin Layne’s arrest; solid play from Pirates, Penguins
The Steelers, Pirates and Penguins certainly don’t give you time for a break, do they? After a rare week off at “Breakfast With Benz,” there’s a lot to catch up on as we get ready for the upcoming Steelers draft week. Hopefully, you enjoyed our NFL Draft preview series while...
Pirates lean on 12 hits, strong pitching to win series over Twins, return to .500 record
The Pittsburgh Pirates found a simple equation to get back to .500 baseball, leaning on a foundation of fundamentals by hitting early, playing good defense and being smart on the basepaths. The result: They keep taking two of three. Wil Crowe allowed one run in four innings in a spot...
Trevor Cahill throws 6 strong innings, as Pirates beat Twins
Nothing about the Trevor Cahill-Michael Perez battery should have given the Pittsburgh Pirates high hopes, given the right-hander twice had allowed seven runs and the catcher had one hit all season. Instead, Cahill made it as easy as 1-2-3 and Perez went 3 for 3 with three RBIs to lead...
Todd Frazier ‘humbled’ by promotion to Pirates, hopes to bring veteran presence, pop to lineup
When the Pittsburgh Pirates released Todd Frazier at the end of spring training, it wasn’t so much stunning to as it was humbling for the 10-year veteran and two-time All-Star infielder. Instead of joining another team, he made alternate plans. The 35-year-old Frazier signed a minor league contract with the...
