Pirates/MLB category, Page 269
Pirates’ pitching problems reach desperate stage in 10-2 loss to DodgersVideo
Two things were evident Friday night during the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 10-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers before a fireworks crowd of 32,388 at PNC Park. • The Dodgers (33-18) are good. • The Pirates (25-23) desperately need starting pitching. Management’s attempt to pull a relief pitcher out of the...
‘On stage’ with Dodgers, David Freese belts grand slam against Pirates
Nine months ago, David Freese wasn’t sure about his future, other than he was sure it didn’t include a fourth season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. But there he was Friday night at PNC Park, hammering a grand slam into the right-center bleachers to help his new team, the Los Angeles...
Injuries add up, but Pirates’ Francisco Cervelli insists: ‘I’m a catcher’
Foul balls continue to hit Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli in strange places. But that painful fact and even several concussions in his past haven’t dimmed his enthusiasm for playing the position. “Last two games, I’m getting hit in places normally a catcher doesn’t get hit,” he said before Friday’s...
Pirates ‘opener’ Michael Feliz allows five runs in first inningVideo
Michael Feliz never has started a game in the major leagues before Friday night. He looked like he was unaccustomed to the opportunity. Backed into a corner by injuries to two starters, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle chose Feliz, a struggling relief pitcher, to open the game against the two-time...
Pirates’ Corey Dickerson takes rehab to Triple-A while Reynolds keeps average above .300
Already manned by two .300-plus hitters and everyday players Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco, the Pittsburgh Pirates outfield soon may get a fifth member. Corey Dickerson, who won a Gold Glove and hit .300 for the Pirates last year, is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Friday night for Triple-A...
U mad, bro? Readers angry about Chris Archer, Steelers coverage
You should be mad. Why? Because “U mad, bro” is late this week. And waiting a few extra days seems to have allowed some of your venom to bubble quite a bit. Follow along as readers pop off about Chris Archer and coverage of the Steelers. A few readers didn’t...
Fantasy sports podcast: Chris Archer frustrations, Josh Bell’s bombs, Mitch Keller call-up?
It’s our weekly fantasy sports podcast with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire. There’s a ton of baseball to discuss. I don’t like “the opener” concept. I’ll get Erickson’s opinion, and he’ll tell us the fantasy impact. Significant call-ups across the league are taking place. Pirates farmhand Mitch Keller could be next....
First Call: Possible Phil Kessel landing spot; Pirates scout outfielder; loving Le’Veon Bell
It’s a trade-heavy “First Call” for Friday. The Penguins may be engaged in a potential trade for Phil Kessel. Jets coach Adam Gase is denying ideas he wants to trade Le’Veon Bell. And the Pirates may be interested in acquiring a New York Yankee. Pharewell Phil? Tribune-Review Penguins writer Jonathan...
Pirates minor league report: May 23, 2019
Pirates INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 25-18) beat Louisville (Reds), 8-7. 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes (.244) was one of three Indians with a home run. A two-run shot in the third inning was Hayes’ second of the season. Hayes finished with three RBIs. LF Kevin Kramer (.286) also had a two-run homer, and 1B...
Pirates’ bats avoid collapse in 14-6 victory against Rockies
The margin of victory was the Pittsburgh Pirates’ largest of the season, but the 14-6 final score Thursday against the Colorado Rockies had opposite meanings for two of the most important members of the team. “The weather’s warming up. The bats are warming up. We’re in a good place with...
Couple have their own prom at Pirates game
A girl couldn’t bring her boyfriend to prom, so they had their own dance at PNC Park. Mary is a senior at North Catholic High School and her boyfriend is a college student, reports WPXI. The night was magical as they sat behind home plate and took in the game...
Pirates notebook: Elias Diaz, Kevin Newman fill holes at catcher, shortstop
The Pittsburgh Pirates have no plans to make permanent changes at shortstop and catcher, but Kevin Newman and Elias Diaz have been welcome replacements for two players struggling at the plate. With 33-year-old catcher Francisco Cervelli playing only five innings since May 15 because of his .185 batting average and...
First Call: Antonio Brown makes Raiders debut; Pirates pierogies sexist?
Thursday’s “First Call” features your first look at Antonio Brown practicing with the Raiders. Tyler Boyd’s stance on free agency. Landry Jones’ release. Jon Bostic’s signing. And sautéed sexism at PNC Park. Brown’s debut Antonio Brown made his debut at Raiders organized team activities yesterday. Here’s your first look at...
Plenty of praise for Pirates’ Josh Bell’s latest splash landing
Only 9,534 fans saw Josh Bell’s 454-foot bomb of a home run at PNC Park Wednesday night. Too bad. It was worth seeing. Big drip, what you call it? ? pic.twitter.com/a3f6x4zbEa— Pirates (@Pirates) May 23, 2019 That’s just the fifth home run to reach the Allegheny River on the fly....
Pirates minor league report: May 22, 2019
Pirates INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 24-18) won 4-3 over Louisville (Reds) in 10 innings. The winning run came on a fielder’s choice double play hit into by 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes (.244) in the top half of the tenth, which scored C Christian Kelley (.192). SS Kevin Kramer (.287) double twice in three...
Pirates pitching problems continue in 9-3 loss to Rockies
Montana DuRapau, a minor league relief pitcher who entered pro ball through the 32nd round of the draft, lasted only 27 pitches and two-thirds of the first inning in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 9-3 loss Wednesday night to the Colorado Rockies. Nick Kingham, who has struggled as a starter and reliever...
Pirates’ Josh Bell homers into Allegheny River again
For the second time in two weeks, Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Josh Bell launched a baseball into the Allegheny River on the fly Wednesday night at PNC Park in the Pirates’ 9-3 loss. Bell sent a pitch from the Colorado Rockies’ Jon Gray over the right-field bleachers, 454 feet from home...
Pirates’ Clint Hurdle reaches managerial milestone
Clint Hurdle reached a career plateau Wednesday night occupied by only 32 other managers in baseball history. He managed his 2,500th game. Hurdle, who will turn 62 on July 30, is third among active managers with 1,224 victories, trailing the San Francisco Giants’ Bruce Bochy (1,947) and the Cleveland Indians’...
Gregory Polanco returns to Pirates lineup, ignoring pain to shoulder, fingerVideo
Gregory Polanco felt pain Tuesday night when an injured middle finger on his left hand kept him out of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 5-0 loss to the Colorado Rockies. The pain wouldn’t permit him to grip a baseball or bat properly, so he had no choice. Truth be told, Polanco is...
Montana DuRapau again will get the call as the Pirates’ opener
The Pittsburgh Pirates have only three healthy starters remaining from the five who normally make up the rotation, but Clint Hurdle figures the best way to solve the problem for now is to turn to the bullpen. After the 5-0 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday, Hurdle said he...
Pirates farm report for games of Tuesday, May 21, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 23-18) won 4-3 over Louisville (Reds). RHP Mitch Keller (5-0, 3.45) earned the victory after allowing one run on six hits with six strikeouts and a walk in seven innings. CF Jason Martin (.226) and SS Kevin Kramer (.277) hit solo home runs. Martin’s came in the first...
Chris Archer’s struggles continue in Pirates’ 5-0 loss to Rockies
There are other ways Chris Archer could have reacted Tuesday night after the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 5-0 loss to the Colorado Rockies. Another man might have with put on a grim face and sullenly wondered what he needed to do to shake his three-game slump. Who could have blamed him if...
Francisco Cervelli singles, but leaves game after getting hit by foul tip
Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli recorded his first hit since May 12, but played only five innings Tuesday night against the Colorado Rockies in his first appearance in five games. In the top of the fifth, Cervelli was hit in the chest by a foul tip off the bat of...
Pirates’ Gregory Polanco misses game with finger discomfort
The Pirates were forced to deal with another injury-related absence Tuesday when right fielder Gregory Polanco was pulled from the starting lineup with finger discomfort in his left hand. Polanco suffered the injury Sunday when he jammed his hand in the game against the San Diego Padres. After announcing a...
Corey Dickerson encouraged after testing injured shoulder before game
Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Corey Dickerson, who’s been on the injured list since April 4 with a shoulder strain, was encouraged by his throwing session before the game Tuesday that required him to throw to bases from the outfield. “I feel great,” Dickerson said after his workout. “I’m really happy...
