Pittsburgh Pirates / MLB category, Page 4
Cup of Joe (Starkey): The ’79 Pirates keep losing players, but they’ll never lose their place in history
Cup of Joe: Starkey on sports in 400 words or less (sometimes more) When the great Chuck Tanner died in February of 2011, the first person I called was his old second baseman — Phil “Scrap Iron” Garner. The two had a special relationship. Tanner valued Garner so highly that...
Pirates farm report for April 12, 2026: Alika Williams smacks 3-run homer in Indy victory
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple A, 4-11) defeated Louisville (Reds), 9-5. SS Alika Williams (.462) hit a three-run home run and extended his hitting streak to 10 games. RF Ronny Simon (.364) was 2 for 5 with a double and three RBIs. LF Tyler Callihan (.216) was 2 for 5 with two runs....
Pirates lose 5-0 lead as Cubs rally late to avoid series sweep
Looking to complete a rare sweep against the Chicago Cubs, the Pittsburgh Pirates built an early five-run lead Sunday afternoon at Wrigley Field. They couldn’t make their good fortune last. The Cubs rallied for two runs in the eighth and one in the ninth for a 7-6 come-from-behind victory to...
Pirates World Series champion Phil Garner dies at 76
Phil Garner, the second baseman known as “Scrap Iron” for his rugged style of play and a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ World Series championship team in 1979, died of cancer Saturday. The Pirates confirmed Garner’s passing in Woodlands, Texas. Garner was 76. “Phil Garner was a fierce competitor, a...
Pirates farm report for April 11, 2026: Wyatt Sanford homers in Greensboro win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple A, 3-11) lost 8-5 to Louisville (Reds). 3B Davis Wendzel (.243) went 1 for 5 with his second homer. 1B Rafael Flores Jr. (.178) went 2 for 3 with two walks and an RBI. SS Alika Williams (.486) went 1 for 5 with a run scored and RBI....
Pirates beat Cubs in 11 innings after blowing early lead
Sure, it’s still April, and 148 games remain in the season. For the Pittsburgh Pirates, though, they occupy a rare spot in the National League Central standings. First place. A 4-3, 11-inning victory Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field represented the Pirates’ eighth win in the past 10 games, and their...
Pirates prospect watch: Willie Stargell Slugger of the Year Esmerlyn Valdez displays early power
Prospect watch Esmerlyn Valdez Position: OF Height: 6-2 Weight: 234 Level: Triple-A Indianapolis Notable: One of the top power hitters in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ minor-league system, Valdez has picked up where he left off last summer. He has smacked three homers and has six RBIs early on this season at...
The week ahead: Pirates to welcome Nationals, Rays for 7-game homestand
The week ahead vs. Nationals Monday, 6:40 p.m. (SN PIT) Tuesday, 6:40 p.m. (SN PIT) Wednesday, 6:40 p.m. (SN PIT) Thursday, 12:35 p.m. (SN PIT) • The Nationals have sputtered to a 4-8 start this season, including a 1-5 mark at home. They are last in the NL East entering...
Pirates farm report for April 10, 2026: Seth Hernandez Ks 7 in 4 no-hit innings for Bradenton
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple A, 3-10) lost 8-2 to Louisville (Reds). RHP Antwone Kelly (12.27) started and recorded two outs, giving up five unearned runs on two hits, including a home run, and three walks. RHP Carson Fullmer (3.86) came on and pitched 3 ⅓ scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking...
Despite Shota Imanaga’s 6 no-hit innings, Bryan Reynolds’ 2-run homer lifts Pirates past Cubs
The only thing working against Shota Imanaga on Friday afternoon was his pitch count. The Pittsburgh Pirates waited until the Chicago Cubs left-handed starter was out of the game before collecting their first hits. They made the most of them, as Bryan Reynolds’ two-run homer in the seventh against reliever...
Pirates catcher Henry Davis develops into dangerous weapon in run game
Henry Davis would love to share his secret for throwing out base stealers, but the Pittsburgh Pirates catcher doesn’t even get to see what works for him most of the time because his mask is often turned sideways and blocking his view. “I have no idea. I’m just trying to...
Bucs Beat Q&A: Kevin Griffin ‘super proud’ of Konnor Griffin’s humility amid fanfare of debut
Kevin Griffin took time off from his job as softball coach and associate athletic director at Belhaven University, a Division III program in Jackson, Miss., to enjoy the major-league debut of his son, Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin. After Konnor signed a nine-year, $140 million contract extension Wednesday, Kevin Griffin...
Pirates farm report for April 9, 2026: Esmerlyn Valdez hits 3rd homer in Indy loss
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple A, 3-9) lost 5-1 to Louisville (Reds). RF Esmerlyn Valdez (.263) provided the only offense with his third home run. SS Alika Williams (.538) went 1 for 3 with a double. 2B Termarr Johnson (.194) went 1 for 2 with two walks. LHP Nick Dombkowski (0-1, 8.53) started...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Konnor Griffin isn’t the only 19-year-old star on rise for the Pirates
The major-league debut and subsequent signing of Konnor Griffin to a nine-year, $140 million contract extension have made the Pittsburgh Pirates the talk of the baseball world. But the buzz isn’t isolated to one 19-year-old Pirate. Though Griffin is baseball’s consensus top prospect, the Pirates have one of the most...
Pirates unveil new City Connect uniforms, an all-black jersey with 2 hat combinations
The Pittsburgh Pirates unveiled their 2026 City Connect uniform Thursday, all-black jerseys with gold lettering designed to “embody the grit, toughness, and pride” that define the city and its people. The City Connect uniforms, in partnership with Nike, feature detailing that pay homage to the Pirates nickname and includes nods...
Pirates farm report for April 8, 2026: Esmerlyn Valdez homers in shutout win for Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple A, 3-8) gave up two hits in a 5-0 win over Louisville (Reds). RHP Noah Davis started and went six innings, giving up two hits, striking out seven and walking two. LHP Evan Sisk (1.50), RHP Mike Clevinger (2.35) and RHP Brandan Bidois (5.40) each pitched a no-hit...
Bullpen lets up 8 runs, as Pirates drop series finale to Padres
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie sensation Konnor Griffin could hardly have asked for a better first week in the big leagues. Over the last five days, Griffin made his MLB debut, collected his first hit and RBI and inked a record contract extension to remain in Pittsburgh through 2035. But Wednesday, following...
Cup of Joe (Starkey): Bob Nutting deserves little praise for fulfilling basic job requirements
Cup of Joe: Starkey on sports in 400 words or less The Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday made the Konnor Griffin signing official — nine years, $140 million with escalators that could take it to $150 million. It’s great news, but it’s certainly no reason to be heaping praise upon team owner...
‘Pumped to be a Pirate’: Konnor Griffin, 19, signs record 9-year, $140 million contractVideo
Amid negotiations for a record contract extension for a rookie, Konnor Griffin asked an innocent question of a Pittsburgh Pirates front office poised to make him the face of the franchise. How are his Pirates teammates going to feel about the organization making a nine-year, $140 million commitment to a...
Pirates GM Ben Cherington preaches patience with DH Marcell Ozuna, outfield defense
Runway was a word Ben Cherington had on repeat Tuesday afternoon, when the Pittsburgh Pirates general manager discussed everything from his designated hitter to the outfield defense to development. The Pirates are off to a 7-5 start but are still testing Cherington’s patience, as he refuses to pass judgment on...
On Sports: Flyers gain ground on Penguins; NCAA men’s basketball odds are out for 2027
The NHL’s Eastern Conference playoff race is shaping up for a photo finish after another exciting slate of games Tuesday night that included an overtime winner and two games that went to a shootout. Plus, a look at the 2027 NCAA men’s basketball betting odds, some Duquesne transfer portal news...
Paul Skenes, Konnor Griffin shine in 1st game together as Pirates pull away to beat Padres
Paul Skenes and Konnor Griffin shared the field for the first time as Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night, and the 23-year-old right-hander and 19-year-old rookie shortstop flashed why they are billed as generational talents. The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, Skenes flirted with a no-hitter for five-plus innings...
Despite scuffles at plate, Pirates GM says Konnor Griffin has ‘made the team better’
Ben Cherington knew there would be a transition period for Konnor Griffin to adjust to the major leagues, so the Pittsburgh Pirates general manager acknowledged he took a calculated risk by promoting baseball’s consensus top prospect to play in Friday’s home opener. After the 19-year-old shortstop pressed at the plate...
Pirates turn to converted 2nd basemen Gonzales and Yorke to play 3rd base
When the Pittsburgh Pirates promoted 19-year-old shortstop Konnor Griffin to the major leagues, it appeared the left side of their infield would be settled with Jared Triolo shifting to third base. That proved short-lived, as Triolo injured the patellar tendon in his right knee in the home opener and will...
On Sports: How does this Pirates’ start stack up to past seasons?Video
The Pittsburgh Pirates are now 10 games into the 2026 season, so how does this 6-4 start rank among previous campaigns? After a slow night in the NHL, Tuesday’s slate heats up in the Eastern Conference, and the Penguins’ Rickard Rakell shines bright. Plus, the Ravens start offseason activities and...
