Pirates/MLB category, Page 256
Clint Hurdle hints that Keone Kela’s return to Pirates bullpen is imminent
Keone Kela’s most recent rehab appearance was so good, the reliever headed back to Pittsburgh and seemingly soon will find himself back on the Pirates roster. Kela needed only 11 pitches to strike out all three batters he faced for Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday night. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said...
Kevin Gorman: Celebrating the 1979 Pirates, not the generational gap
For a 6-year-old Pittsburgh kid who needed nothing more than a ball and a glove to spend a summer day happily, the 1979 Pirates were my glorious introduction to baseball. With the Pirates winning the World Series and the Steelers on their way to a fourth Super Bowl, Pittsburgh branded...
After day out of lineup and team day off, Josh Bell back hitting cleanup for Pirates on Friday
Over a 31-day span from April 28-May 29, Josh Bell had 12 home runs, 25 extra-base hits, a .402 average and herculean 1.278 OPS. “Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world for Josh if he stayed in that spot the entire rest of his career?” Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle mused...
Pirates reliever Richard Rodriguez dominant, fueled by demotion
Richard Rodriguez pitched so poorly in his first major league action the Baltimore Orioles took the almost-unprecedented step of scrapping him from their September active roster in 2017. Keep in mind, rosters are unlimited in September in the majors. So, when Rodriguez followed a mostly spectacular 2018 for the Pittsburgh...
U mad, bro? Opinions fly about Mike Tomlin, Pirates, and Steelers of the past
It’s a strange—but highly entertaining—collection of entries for this week’s “U mad, bro?” Some attack the Pirates. Others defend them. And I get attacked for being negative toward Mike Tomlin … in a column that I authored intending to defend him. Oh, also, some guy thinks Deshea Townsend was a...
NFL’s potential regular season split could pinch fantasy sports interest
The fantasy sports landscape could suffer quite a shake-up if that 18-16 regular season split is adopted by the NFL. Imagine how that would impact fantasy lineups and strategies. I see none of that being for the better — in fantasy sports or real life. We talk to Jeff Erickson...
Tim Benz: A look at some great Pittsburgh-Philadelphia sports moments
With the Philadelphia Phillies coming into town for a weekend series, the nostalgia gears in my brain got going. I started flashing back to my favorite Pittsburgh-Philadelphia sports memories of years gone by. I figured I’d choose one from each of the three major professional sports to outline on “Breakfast...
Pirates minor league report for July 18, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 48-48) won 9-1 over Syracuse (Mets). The Indians scored six third-inning runs with C Christian Kelley (.198) and RF Hunter Owen (.143 with Altoona) each hitting a home run. RHP James Marvel (2-0, 2.55) threw six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts, a walk and only one hit allowed....
5 things we learned about the Pirates over disastrous post-break roadtrip
The excitement, enthusiasm and good vibes the Pittsburgh Pirates took into the All-Star break by way of 14 wins over a 21-game span dissipated in a major way over the six days since National League play resumed. Losing five of six to two of the three teams the Pirates are...
Pirates minor league report for July 18, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 47-48) lost 15-5 to Syracuse (Mets). RHP Eduardo Vera (5-8, 6.64) gave up seven runs in four innings, including two home runs, to earn the loss with three strikeouts, four walks and nine hits allowed. LF Darnell Sweeney (.292) went 2 for 3 from the plate with a...
Paul Goldschmidt’s homer sends Pirates to 5th loss in 6 games
ST. LOUIS — Paul Goldschmidt was looking for a single. He ended up getting a whole lot more. And it was more than the Pittsburgh Pirates could overcome. Goldschmidt hit a go-ahead, three-run homer off Michael Feliz in the seventh inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pirates, 6-5...
Documentary highlights Team Israel’s journey to 2017 World Baseball Classic
From Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to Seoul, South Korea, Team Israel made history in 2017 by qualifying for the World Baseball Classic for the first time in its nation’s history. The team’s underdog journey to the world stage inspired the making of a documentary “Heading Home, the Tale of Team...
Tim Benz: Pirates better off ‘living in the past’ than the present
If current Pittsburgh Pirates players are upset about their organization living in the past, I have an idea to fix that. Do something worth remembering in the present! A recent report stated some Pirates players asked management to stop showing a promotional video that was geared around them watching Willie...
Pirates score twice in the ninth, beat Cardinals 3-1
ST. LOUIS — Colin Moran wanted to hit the ball hard, and in the air, with two on in the ninth inning of a tied game. He didn’t, but it turned out well anyway. Moran drove in the go-ahead run with an infield single and the Pittsburgh Pirates scored twice...
Pirates farm report for July 16, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 47-46) was too late for this edition. RHP Eduardo Vera (5-7, 6.27) is expected to start for the Indians on Wednesday night. Next: Wednesday vs. Syracuse (Mets), 1:35 p.m. ••• ALTOONA (Double-A, 49-42) lost 4-2 to Trenton (Yankees) despite outhitting the Thunder, 13-7. Eight of nine Curve batters...
Josh Bell wins Pirates’ Heart and Hustle Award
Josh Bell continues to gain recognition beyond the All-Star Game. The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association announced Tuesday that Bell is the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2019 Heart and Hustle Award winner. The award honors active players who demonstrate “a passion for the game of baseball and best embody the values,...
Pirates drop 4th straight in shutout loss to Cardinals
ST. LOUIS — Miles Mikolas scuffled in the first half of the season and wanted a fresh start after the All-Star game. His got it. Mikolas pitched an eight-hitter and Tyler O’Neill hit a pair of two-run homers, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 7-0 win over the Pittsburgh...
Pirates farm report for July 15, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 47-46) lost 20-1 to Syracuse (Mets). The Indians were outhit 22-7. Three of the six Indianapolis pitchers gave up at least five runs. LHP Cam Vieaux (2-1, 5.53) gave up six runs in three innings, with four strikeouts, a walk and six hits, including three home runs. LF...
Mark Madden: Pirates in race to trade deadline, not postseasonVideo
This year, like last year, the Pittsburgh Pirates are in the race. But it’s a different kind of race. The Pirates’ payroll is $71 million, their lowest since 2012. Given that picayune amount, the Pirates aren’t really trying to contend. But they want to create the illusion of contending so...
Are Pirates’ pennant hopes gone? Here’s why they are, and why there’s hope
There is an argument to be made that the Pittsburgh Pirates’ playoff hopes disappeared during the three-game sweep by the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Pirates never have been more than five games over .500 this season, and that was April 20. Even after winning eight of 12 leading...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Pirates disaster vs. Cubs, Penguins chemistry, NFL schedule
In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Tim Benz and Mark Madden take a look at what went wrong with the Pirates during their disastrous series in Chicago to start the second half of the season. Not only did the Pirates come out of the All-Star break cold, they helped the...
Pirates squander short-lived lead, get swept by CubsVideo
CHICAGO — This wasn’t the way the Pittsburgh Pirates wanted to come out of the All-Star break. The Pirates entered the break a game under .500 (44-45) and 21⁄2 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs. A sweep would vault the Pirates into first place in the NL Central. But the...
Jordan Lyles pulled in 1st, Starling Marte homers twice in Pirates lossVideo
CHICAGO — Jon Lester showed he still has it all going on in his 14th major league season. Lester homered, tied a career high with three RBIs and pitched effectively into the seventh inning to lead the Chicago Cubs past the Pittsburgh Pirates, 10-4, on Saturday. All-Star catcher Willson Contreras’...
Pittsburgh athletes trying to find ways to avoid social media messes
On many summer nights, 25 ticking time bombs can be located on the ground floor of PNC Park. In the fall, 53 incendiary devices can be found Sundays at Heinz Field. In the winter, there often are 23 potential explosives on the premises at PPG Paints Arena. In the era...
Pirates farm report for July 12, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 45-45) fell 9-1 to Columbus (Indians). The Indians gave up all nine runs in the first two innings. RHP Eduardo Vera (5-7, 6.27) took the loss after allowing nine runs in 1 2/3 innings with two strikeouts, a walk and nine hits surrendered. SS Cole Tucker (.287) knocked...
