Pirates/MLB category, Page 6
Strikeout of Shohei Ohtani was ‘like hitting the lottery’ to Pirates closer Dennis Santana
Dennis Santana made a memorable entrance against the Los Angeles Dodgers, as the lights went out at PNC Park and he walked out from the bullpen to Dominican rapper Rochy RD’s song, “Original.” Santana’s exit was even more entertaining. The Pittsburgh Pirates closer got Shohei Ohtani swinging at a slider...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Bubba Chandler’s rough start had more to do with Brew Crew
That Bubba Chandler’s starting debut Sunday was disastrous was deflating, given that he was billed as baseball’s best pitching prospect. That the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie right-hander was disgusted with his performance, however, was a sign of his competitive fire. Chandler came out firing four-seam fastballs at the Milwaukee Brewers, only...
Pirates farm report for Sept. 7, 2025: Homers by Shawn Ross, Jase Bowen key Indy victory
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 78-59) used a five-run seventh inning to edge Columbus (Guardians), 10-9. C Shawn Ross (.200) was 2 for 3, hit the game-winning home run and had four RBIs. CF Jase Bowen (.272) smacked a three-run home run. 2B Anthony Prato (.258) was 2 for 4 with a walk...
Brewers hammer Bubba Chandler in 1st MLB start to sweep series against Pirates
When Bubba Chandler made his major-league debut out of the bullpen, it raised a question: Why wasn’t the game’s top pitching prospect starting instead of coming on in relief? Chandler’s first MLB start answered that. Facing the team with the best record in baseball — and going opposite the Pittsburgh Steelers’...
Pirates farm report for Sept. 6, 2025: Konnor Griffin hits 20th homer in Altoona loss
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 77-59) was clobbered by Columbus (Guardians), 12-0. LHP Nick Dombkowski (2-6, 6.45) started and gave up six runs on seven hits, including three homers, in four innings. After RHP Sean Sullivan (4.57) pitched three scoreless innings, RHP Ryan Harbin (12.38) gave up six runs on four hits and...
Behind pair of 2-run homers, Brewers beat Pirates to clinch series win
Mitch Keller has worked hard to avoid the second-half swoon that plagued his past two seasons as the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander has focused on his mechanics to maximize his pitching power. Keller delivered his 17th quality start of the season against the Milwaukee Brewers, but for the second consecutive start,...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Paying Paul Skenes would show commitment to winning, so don’t get your hopes up
The Pirates have won 11 of 15, swept Los Angeles, lead MLB in shutouts, Paul Skenes is cooking, Don Kelly’s record sits at .500, Konnor Griffin is on the horizon, and optimism moving forward is out of control. Absolutely unbearable. Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 FM tweeted, “If the playoffs started...
Pirates farm report for Sept. 5, 2025: Rafael Flores collects 2 hits, RBI in Indianapolis win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 77-58) got past Columbus (Guardians), 6-5. C Rafael Flores (.294) went 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI. LF Jase Bowen (.271) went 1 for 3 with a double, run scored and his third stolen base. RF Nelson Velazquez (.225) went 1 for 3 with...
Quinn Priester delivers strong start, silences Pirates to lead Brewers to win in series opener
The Pittsburgh Pirates played a familiar face in Quinn Priester, although the Milwaukee Brewers 24-year-old right-hander hardly resembles the one who was once their top pitching prospect. Priester has reinvented himself and returned to PNC Park with an 11-2 record, 3.28 ERA and become a standout of the starting rotation...
Colin Holderman bounces back from ‘hardest year’ to earn save as Pirates sweep Dodgers
There was a clear change in momentum in the ninth inning, as the Los Angeles Dodgers turned a blowout into a tense game when the Pittsburgh Pirates called for Colin Holderman to replace Dauri Moreta. With one out and runners on first and second base, the Dodgers had the tying...
Pirates farm report for Sept. 4, 2025: Konnor Griffin hit by 2 more pitches in Altoona win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 76-58) suffered a 5-3 defeat at the hands of Columbus (Guardians). After Indy tied the game in its half of the ninth, RHP Beau Burrows (1-1, 5.65) came on looking to get the game into the extra innings. He walked the first batter he faced, got the next...
Paul Skenes wins superstar showdown with 6 scoreless innings as Pirates sweep Dodgers
Paul Skenes held the Los Angeles Dodgers scoreless through five innings when the Pittsburgh Pirates ace faced the ultimate test: A showdown between superstars. In what could be considered a showcase moment for Skenes to win the National League Cy Young Award, the 23-year-old retired the top of the order...
Pirates rookie Cam Devanney finally celebrates his 1st major league hit
When Cam Devanney smacked a slider for a single to left field in the second inning Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers, it felt like a hit that took him lifetime to accomplish. And it actually was for Devanney, a 28-year-old rookie for the Pittsburgh Pirates who recorded his...
Pirates farm report for Sept. 3, 2025: Konnor Griffin steals 65th base, gets hit by another pitch
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 76-56) was crushed by Columbus (Guardians), 9-2. RHP Ryder Ryan (3.73) started and went four scoreless innings, giving up two hits and striking out two. RHP Eddy Yean (3.47) gave up two runs on two hits in an inning of relief. RHP Sean Sullivan (2-4, 4.93) gave up...
Bryan Reynolds, Andrew McCutchen homer as Pirates shut out Dodgers to clinch series win
Just as the Pittsburgh Pirates were preaching about how no lead was safe against the star-studded lineup of the Los Angeles Dodgers, they did the unthinkable. Four rookie pitchers combined to toss eight scoreless innings, and closer Dennis Santana finished off the shutout by striking out three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani...
Pirates pitcher Jared Jones takes big step in return by beginning light throwing program
Jared Jones took a major step in his recovery from surgery on his right elbow when the Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed starting pitcher was cleared to begin a light throwing program. Jones, who had an InternalBrace procedure in May, was cleared after meeting with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister on Tuesday....
Pirates induct longtime play-by-play announcer Lanny Frattare into Media Wall of Fame
The Pittsburgh Pirates inducted Lanny Frattare into their Media Wall of Fame on Wednesday, honoring him for his 33 years of service as their play-by-play announcer. Frattare was the voice of the Pirates from 1976 through his retirement in 2008. Only former Pirates pitcher Steve Blass, who was color analyst...
First Call: Jets coach calls Aaron Rodgers questions ‘not relevant’; scary moment for Pirates prospect Konnor Griffin
New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn wants to downplay any storylines about Aaron Rodgers’ return with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. There was a scary moment for the Pirates’ top prospect Tuesday night. A wide receiver signing in Buffalo should get the attention of Steelers fans. And we look at...
Now that he’s back with the Pirates, Nick Yorke wants to prove he has staying power
After Nick Yorke made his major league debut last September, he swore to himself that he would never play another inning in the minors. Then Yorke was among the final cuts of spring training. That it took until Monday, when MLB active rosters expanded to 28 players, to return to...
Pirates farm report for Sept. 2, 2025: Relative of Roberto Clemente homers in Indianapolis win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 76-56) got past Columbus (Guardians), 5-3. DH Nelson Velazquez (.203) went 1 for 4 with a two-run homer in the eighth to break a 3-3 tie. Velasquez, a distant relative of Roberto Clemente, was playing his first game with Indianapolis. A 26-year-old veteran of 194 MLB games, Velasquez...
Jared Triolo continues tear with another big day at plate as Pirates beat Dodgers
Jared Triolo got the Pittsburgh Pirates started by belting a book-rule double over the North Side Notch off Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw to spark a four-run first inning. Triolo gave the Pirates a cushion with a two-run double in the sixth, then drew a two-out walk, stole second...
Pirates unveil marker commemorating MLB’s 1st all-minority lineup at Three Rivers Stadium siteVideo
Dave Cash twirled the custom cane he was using, showing the inscribed names of the Pittsburgh Pirates players who started their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sept. 1, 1971. The significance of manager Danny Murtaugh’s lineup was not lost on the Pirates when they fielded what is recognized as...
Tim Benz: ‘Banana ball’ success is real. Angry comps to ‘Bucco Ball’ are not
I didn’t attend either of the Savannah Bananas events at PNC Park over Labor Day weekend. However, I know quite a few folks who did, and the reviews were all positive. If you are coming here looking for the old, fuddy-duddy, baseball purist “That’s not real baseball, so I’m not...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: After a ‘special’ debut, Pirates plan to be fluid on left side of infield
Cam Devanney was at a loss to explain what it meant to finally make his major-league debut Sunday afternoon against the Boston Red Sox in the ballpark that was essentially in his backyard. For the native of Nashua, N.H. — which is only a 45-mile drive away — to have...
Pirates farm report for Aug. 31, 2025: Nick Cimillo, Konnor Griffin homer as Altoona blanks Harrisburg
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 75-56) endured a five-run sixth inning and dropped a 6-2 decision to Buffalo (Blue Jays). LF Sammy Siani (.265) smacked a two-run homer. 2B Nick Yorke (.287) was 1 for 2 with two walks and a run scored. CF Ji Hwan Bae (.289) was 1 for 4 with...
