Pirates/MLB category, Page 63
On Sports: Ex-Pirates pitcher Roansy Contreras starts for Angels; Canucks do deals with 2 ex-Penguins
Would a 24-year-old recent former top prospect with 30 career MLB starts be an adequate fit for addressing the Pittsburgh Pirates’ depleted depth at starting pitcher? Too bad the right-hander in question made his first start for the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. Forty-one days after he was acquired —...
U mad, bro?: Pirates’ lineup, Steelers concerns, Skenes’ future
We are taking a few days off here at “Breakfast With Benz.” But even if an off day falls on Thursday, we will make sure “U mad, bro?” gets posted. One can’t keep all that rage pent up for an extra seven days. Especially with so much agitation bubbling up...
Understanding the assignment: For Pirates’ veterans, rehab a chance to pay it forward
That Martin Perez was packing a bag at his locker in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ clubhouse was a telltale sign the veteran left-hander was leaving for the minor leagues. And it was anything but a demotion. After throwing a live bullpen session last week, Perez told the Pirates he wanted to...
Pirates farm report for June 26, 2024: Henry Davis begins rehab assignment in Altoona
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 33-41) and Rochester (Nationals) were rained out. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Thursday. Next: Thursday at Rochester (Nationals), doubleheader, 1:05 p.m. ALTOONA (Double-A, 29-42) gave up five runs in the ninth lost 11-6 to Akron (Guardians). C Henry Davis, on a rehab...
Bethel Park’s Justin Meis enjoying life with Altoona Curve, patiently working toward promotion
Altoona is by no means the preferred final baseball destination for relief pitcher Justin Meis. Meis, a Bethel Park graduate drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021 (10th round, No. 283 overall), is in his second season with the Curve, during which time he’s transitioned from a starter to the...
Luis Ortiz ties career best with 7 strikeouts, delivers quality spot start as Pirates beat Reds
Just as Luis Ortiz was adjusting to life in long relief out of the bullpen, the Pittsburgh Pirates asked the 25-year-old right-hander to make a spot start with the series against the Cincinnati Reds on the line. “I was excited, obviously,” Ortiz said through interpreter Stephen Morales on the SportsNet...
Tim Benz: Despite Pirates’ pop vs. Reds, Derek Shelton’s defense of Andy Haines falls short
The Pittsburgh Pirates have posted 14 runs in their first two games at Cincinnati this week, but their season-long offensive woes are far from conquered. During his weekly radio appearance on 93.7 The Fan, Derek Shelton acknowledged the Pirates’ offensive problems in 2024, but stopped short of endorsing the idea...
‘He’s got some wheels’: Stolen base highlights monster month for Pirates slugger Rowdy Tellez
The sight of Rowdy Tellez stealing second base uncontested Tuesday in the first inning against Cincinnati Reds starter Hunter Greene had the Pittsburgh Pirates making wisecracks in the dugout at Great American Ball Park. It was the first time since Sept. 8, 2022 — and only the fourth time in...
Pirates farm report for June 25, 2024: Braxton Ashcraft fires 5 scoreless innings for Indy
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 33-41) lost 3-1 to Rochester (Nationals). RHP Braxton Ashcraft (0.59) started and pitched five scoreless innings, allowing five hits and one walk with two strikeouts. LHP Ryan Borucki (9.00) pitched one inning on a rehab assignment (triceps), allowing a solo home run. LHP Geronimo Franzua (2-5, 6.14) took...
Pirates hammer hurler Hunter Greene for 6 runs in win over Reds
Before Hunter Greene could face his second batter, the Cincinnati Reds ace right-hander temporarily brought the game to a halt when he turned his back to home plate and vomited on the mound. What followed had to make Greene feel sick again. Bryan Reynolds hit a two-run home run that...
SportsNet Pittsburgh, TV home of Pirates, to broadcast 10 Altoona Curve games this season
SportsNet Pittsburgh, the television home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, will air 10 games this summer involving their Double-A affiliate in Altoona. The Altoona Curve announced Tuesday that seven home games at Peoples Natural Gas Field and three road games will air on SportsNet Pittsburgh, starting with Sunday’s game against the...
Tim Benz: For Paul Skenes, the process has been even more impressive than the numbers
Thus far, the results have been impressive for Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes. Over the first eight games of his career, the 2023 No. 1 overall pick is 4-0 with an ERA of 2.14. Through 46⅓ innings pitched, the LSU/Air Force product has yet to leave a game with...
With Dennis Santana injured against Reds, Pirates’ bullpen looks for more middle relief
A Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen already battling injuries suffered another setback Monday night when right-handed reliever Dennis Santana exited their game at Cincinnati with a right arm contusion. With two-time All-Star closer David Bednar, righty Hunter Stratton and lefty Ryan Borucki all on the 15-day injured list and Santana’s status considered...
Reds bat around in 4th inning, hammer Pirates
In a game where the Pittsburgh Pirates endured a death by doubles, Elly De La Cruz crushed a home run that landed on the deck of the riverboat behind center field at Great American Ball Park in the sixth inning. The Cincinnati Reds chased left-hander Bailey Falter after four innings...
Mark Madden: Pirates need bats to contend, but expect ownership to kick can down the road
They say the standings never lie. But sometimes they do. In the National League, nine teams are within four games of each other in the race for the second and third wild-card spots. One of those teams is over .500, another at .500. The rest have losing records. All of...
Tim Benz: Even if it’s an actual Sunday, no more ‘Sunday lineups’ for Paul Skenes, please
Whenever Paul Skenes is pitching, the Pittsburgh Pirates can’t roll out their Sunday lineup. Even if it is actually a Sunday. The Pirates learned that lesson this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays during an afternoon when Skenes allowed a leadoff home run, then nothing else after that. Paul Skenes...
Pirates farm report for June 23, 2024: Alika Williams knocks in pair of runs in Indy win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 33-40) defeated Iowa (Cubs), 6-4. 2B Alika Williams (.333) was 3 for 5 with a double, triple and two RBIs. CF Matt Gorski (.265) was 3 for 4 with two doubles and a run scored. 3B Andres Alvarez (.275) was 3 for 4 with a homer and two...
With David Bednar on injured list, Pirates bullpen gets new look
For the next two weeks, the game changes dramatically for the Pittsburgh Pirates and their bullpen. Two-time All-Star closer David Bednar was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday (retroactive to June 20) with a strained left oblique muscle, lifting at least three relief pitchers — Colin Holderman, Aroldis Chapman...
Pirates waste strong start by Paul Skenes, as Rays rally in 8th against Colin Holderman
Paul Skenes surrendered a home run on his first pitch, then held the Tampa Bay Rays scoreless over his next 97 as the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie right-hander went seven innings for the first time. And it wasn’t enough to earn a decision, let alone a win. The Rays rallied for...
Pirates place closer David Bednar on injured list, recall lefty reliever Justin Bruihl
Pittsburgh Pirates two-time All-Star closer David Bednar is headed to the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 20) with a strained left oblique muscle. Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Bednar was not available Saturday because of left side tightness he felt in his throwing program. Lefty reliever Aroldis Chapman, a...
Pirates farm report for June 22, 2024: Martin Perez allows 5 hits, earned run in rehab outing
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 32-40) dropped a 3-2 decision to Iowa (Cubs). 3B Malcom Nunez (.252) hit a two-run home run for the Indians’ lone runs. He was 2 for 4. DH Ji Hwan Bae (.362) was 2 for 4. 2B Andres Alvarez (.261) was 1 for 3. C Joey Bart (.500)...
Jared Jones recovers from shaky start, tosses 7 innings as Pirates top Rays to even series
Taking the hill Saturday at PNC Park vs. the Tampa Bay Rays one outing removed from walking a career-high four batters, Jared Jones did not inspire much confidence out of the gate that he’d gotten his command issues under control. In the top of the first inning, Jones quickly hit...
‘We want to add to the team’: Pirates GM Ben Cherington turning to trade market for offense
With the Pittsburgh Pirates in the thick of wild-card contention, Bob Nutting and Ben Cherington are in regular discussions about adding a major-league bat to improve their chances of making the playoffs. Given that the July 30 trade deadline is still five weeks away, the Pirates general manager explained Saturday...
From phone call to handshake: How David Bednar and the Pirates close out a win
The lights go out. “Renegade” is blaring. As David Bednar jogs to the mound to save the game, Pittsburgh Pirates fans are cheering. As the Styx song blares, the PNC Park scoreboard shows a montage of Bednar’s best strikeouts. It’s a grand introduction for the Mars alum, who doesn’t really...
Pirates farm report for June 21, 2024: Bubba Chandler’s 10 strikeouts carry Curve to victory
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 32-39) topple Iowa (Cubs), 5-2. DH Joey Bart (.667), on a rehab assignment, hit a three-run double as part of a five-run seventh inning. He was 2 for 3. CF Ji Hwan Bae (.356) was 0 for 3. RF Josh Palacios was 2 for 4 with an RBI....
