Pirates/MLB category, Page 273
As starting pitcher injuries mount, are Pirates considering ‘openers’ for 1-2 innings?
Clint Hurdle clearly didn’t want to commit to it. But the Pittsburgh Pirates manager also didn’t seem too concerned about tipping his hand. Are the Pirates considering joining the mini-trend across the majors of using “opener” as their pitcher for the first one or two innings? “Do we have those...
Pirates’ Jameson Taillon placed on injured list with elbow injuryVideo
What first merely just felt “a little different” in Jameson Taillon’s right arm during spring training ultimately culminated in a trip to the injured list for the Pittsburgh Pirates opening day starter on Saturday. What has been diagnosed as an elbow flexor tendon strain will prevent Taillon from throwing for...
Pirates minor league report: May 3, 2019
Pirates INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 15-12) won 7-5 over Louisville (Reds). 2B Kevin Kramer (.250) finished 3 for 3 with a grand slam, a double and five RBIs. CF Jason Martin (.250) went 2 for 4 with a double, a triple and two runs scored. 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes (.265) had a base...
Led by Josh Phegley’s 8 RBIs, A’s rough up Joe Musgrove, pound PiratesVideo
Joe Musgrove followed a late start with an early exit that saw his ERA go up and the Pittsburgh Pirates’ perfect record against the American League go down in flames. The Oakland A’s got four hits and eight RBIs from catcher Josh Phegley in a 14-1 victory over the Pirates...
Pirates notebook: Interleague play has been kind to Bucs
The Pittsburgh Pirates have called the National League home for more than a century, but recent interleague results might make them want switch leagues. “We’ve been really good the last couple years (against the American League),” said manager Clint Hurdle, whose team entered Friday with a 16-4 record at home...
Pirates rookie Bryan Reynolds takes fanfare around his hitting streak in strideVideo
On a leather chair, a baseball and batting gloves sat atop the Pittsburgh Pirates lineup card for a game against the Texas Rangers, personal keepsakes for rookie outfielder Bryan Reynolds. Reynolds pointed to his prized possessions — all from his first career major-league home run — as nonchalantly as he...
First Call: A safety for the Steelers?, Torts’ Tumble, a humiliating first pitch
In Friday’s “First Call,” we consider a familiar name as a fit for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Plus, the “Torts Tumble,” a humiliating first pitch, and people are already turning on Jameson Taillon. A safety for the Steelers? Keep this name in mind for free agency next season, Steelers fans. It’s...
Pirates minor league report: May 3, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 14-12) defeated Louisville (Reds), 5-3. All five Indians runs came in the fifth inning on a RHP Mitch Keller (.333) RBI double, LF Jose Osuna (.250) run-scoring single and a three-run homer from 1B Will Craig (.275) to put Indianapolis ahead, 5-2. Keller (3-0, 3.48) also got the...
Fantasy Sports podcast: Melky Cabrera’s hot start, NFL Draft impact
It’s our weekly fantasy sports podcast with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire. This week, we look at which draft choices could impact the fantasy football world. Kyler Murray leads the way. Josh Jacobs should help the Oakland Raiders. Those tight ends from Iowa could be worth a pick. And the New...
Pirates rookie Bryan Reynolds among under-25 players making impact
Bryan Reynolds never was hugged by a pop superstar. He was not invited to be guest of honor at an NBA playoff game. And he has yet to receive repeated standing ovations in his home ballpark, although the 24-year-old probably deserves one when the Pittsburgh Pirates return to PNC Park...
Pirates offering Jameson Taillon ‘Obi-Wan’ bobblehead on ‘Star Wars’ nightVideo
The Pittsburgh Pirates are holding their annual “Star Wars” night on Saturday. The May the Fourth event will feature costumed characters from the movie roaming the field and stadium. And fans are encouraged to dress up as “Star Wars” characters. A special Jameson Taillon “Obi Wan” bobblehead doll will be...
Pirates minor league report: May 1, 2019
Pirates INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 13-12) lost 9-7 to Columbus (Indians). RHP Rookie Davis (0-2, 7.13) got the loss after allowing eight runs on 12 hits in five innings. Davis also gave up two home runs and had three strikeouts. The Indians hit three home runs in a game with six total...
Rookie Bryan Reynolds continues hot start as Pirates top Rangers 7-5
ARLINGTON, Texas — Rookie Bryan Reynolds is closing in on teammate Gregory Polanco for a little piece of Pittsburgh Pirates history. Polanco is enjoying the view. Reynolds kept up his impressive start, hitting a three-run double as the Pirates completed a two-game sweep in Texas by topping the Rangers, 7-5,...
Best news from Texas: Starling Marte’s bat comes alive in 11th inningVideo
Perhaps no one has noticed, but the Pittsburgh Pirates haven’t won a game the normal way — you know, in nine innings — since April 14 (and they haven’t done it at home since April 7). Since their most recent nine-inning victory at PNC Park, they’ve played four extra-inning games,...
Pirates snap 8-game skid with pair of 11th-inning HRs in TexasVideo
ARLINGTON, Texas — When Bryan Reynolds led off the 11th inning with his first career homer, everybody on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ bench erupted in celebration. They were all quiet by time the rookie rounded the bases and got back to the dugout. “We were all like so quick to hop...
Pirates minor league report: April 30, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 13-11) lost 7-6 to Columbus (Indians). RHP Clay Holmes (2-1, 5.93) blew the Indians’ 6-5 lead, giving up two ninth-inning runs on two hits and two walks. Holmes pitch 1 1/3 innings with a strikeout. RHP Eduardo Vera (0-2, 4.85) threw six innings with six strikeouts in a...
Pirates’ Francisco Cervelli leaves after getting hit by pitch
ARLINGTON, Texas — Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli left Tuesday night’s game at Texas after being hit on his left wrist by a pitch. Cervelli was in obvious pain after being struck by the pitch from Adrian Sampson in the second inning. But Cervelli initially remained in the game, going...
Starling Marte returns from injury list for Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates activated Starling Marte from the injured list, just in time for him to start in center field and bat second Tuesday night at the Texas Rangers. Marte injured his abdominal wall and suffered a rib contusion in an April 19 outfield collision with shortstop Erik Gonzalez, who...
Pirates minor league report: Curve no-hit by SeaWolves’ Mize
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 12-10) won 5-3 over Columbus (Indians). 2B Kevin Kramer (.222) led Indianapolis offensively, going 2 for 4 at-bat with a solo home run and two runs scored. 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes (.267) chipped in with a double. RHP Dario Agrazal (1-0, 2.70) picked up the win after throwing 6...
A closer look at the Pirates’ 8-game losing streak
With the Pittsburgh Pirates on an eight-game losing streak (the franchise’s longest since 2016) and a day off Monday, this seems like a good time to evaluate what’s gone wrong. Here are five talking points, some that have contributed to the recent slide and a couple that have averted a...
First Call: Tyler Glasnow continues All Star run, Ryan Braun gets ‘beered’
In “First Call” Monday, the secret behind Tyler Glasnow’s success. Somebody did something to Ryan Braun we’ve all wanted to do. Two Dukes find NFL homes. What got into Glasnow? Tyler Glasnow did it again. He cashed in another great start over the weekend for Tampa Bay. The Rays right-hander...
Tim Benz: Numbers show Pirates bad week may continue in Texas
I feel like a weatherman who accurately calls for heavy rain but misses the hurricane. Last week, I warned Pittsburgh Pirates fans what may be coming against Arizona and Los Angeles. But I had no idea things would go as badly as they did. The Pirates entered those seven games...
Pirates squander big lead as losing skid stretches to 8
LOS ANGELES — Max Muncy singled home the tying run in the fifth inning and the go-ahead run in the seventh, boosting the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Pittsburgh Pirates, 7-6, on Sunday for a three-game sweep. The Pirates’ Melky Cabrera had four hits, including first multihomer game since July...
Pirates’ skid hits 7 with loss to Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
LOS ANGELES — Three starts into his delayed season and Clayton Kershaw already appears back in his usual form. Kershaw earned his first win, allowing one run over seven innings to outpitch Joe Musgrove and help the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1 on Saturday night. Chris Taylor...
Pirates place Chris Archer on IL with thumb inflammation, recall Michael Feliz
The Pittsburgh Pirates have had one position player after another sidelined by injury. Now, they have lost a starting pitcher. The Pirates placed right-hander Chris Archer on the 10-day injured list with right thumb inflammation. Archer (1-2) allowed six runs on six hits, including a pair of home runs, in...
