Pirates/MLB category, Page 73
‘It’s just atrocious’: Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen rips strike zones of MLB umpires
When it comes to major-league batters’ recognition skills and their ability to win pitch-by-pitch battles with their mound opponents, Andrew McCutchen was unflinching in identifying a key component that’s out of a hitter’s control and subject to change nightly. “The strike zone’s horrible,” the Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter said before...
Jared Jones sizzles, Jack Suwinski delivers walk-off single as Pirates beat Rockies
As Jared Jones walked off the field in the seventh inning, a chorus of cheers erupted from the rain-drenched fans in honor of the best start yet by the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie right-hander. Jones allowed only one hit in seven scoreless innings while tying his career best with 10 strikeouts...
Pirates farm report for May 3, 2024: Jake Lamb collects 2 more hits for Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 15-13) was knocked around by Buffalo (Blue Jays), 10-4. RHP Wily Peralta (5.40) started and was mostly effective, giving up one run on three hits with four strikeouts and no walks. RHP JC Flowers (2-1, 6.59) came on and allowed three runs, two earned, on two hits and...
9th inning rally falls short, as Pirates fall to lowly Rockies for 5th straight loss
If their Friday night loss to the Colorado Rockies proves anything for the Pittsburgh Pirates, it’s that playing one of MLB’s worst teams offers no antidote to their ongoing issues, namely figuring out how to emerge from a frustrating multi-week offensive slump. The Rockies, who came to PNC Park with...
Amid offensive struggles, Pirates demote catcher Henry Davis to Triple-A
As one of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ No. 1 overall draft picks closes in on a highly anticipated MLB debut, Friday afternoon brought news that another will navigate an early career disruption. All eyes are on pitcher Paul Skenes, selected atop the 2023 MLB Draft by the Pirates, who is expected...
After adjustment period, Pirates counting on improved outfield with Michael A. Taylor in CF
When the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Michael A. Taylor, it was with the intention of adding a pure center fielder with a Gold Glove on his resume to improve their outfield defense. What they got for the first eight games of the season was a player whose bat was better than...
A look at Pirates’ offensive numbers finds little reason for immediate hope
I’m not sure the phrase “swept by the Oakland A’s” really needs much contextualizing, but let’s do that from a Pittsburgh Pirates’ perspective as they return home from a brutal California swing. Not only did the Pirates lose three in a row against the vagabond franchise from Oakland, but they...
Pirates farm report for May 2, 2024: 2 Bradenton pitchers take no-hitter into 9th
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 16-13) beat Buffalo (Blue Jays), 6-4. LF Billy McKinney went 2 for 4 with a double and a two-run homer, his second of the season. 1B Jake Lamb (.388) went 1 for 3 with a double. DH Canaan Smith-Njigba (.281) went 2 for 4 with a double and...
U mad, bro?: Some fans didn’t like the Steelers’ draft (or my opinions on it); ‘ruff’ debut for Pirates’ pup
Despite a draft that has gotten positive reviews, not all Pittsburgh Steelers fans are happy about the organization’s efforts last weekend. Others just didn’t like my coverage of it. We also have some angst over the Steelers’ QB situation, baseball pitch counts and general disdain over how the Pirates “have...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: After bottoming out in the Bay, Pirates need to find answers fast
The Pittsburgh Pirates bottomed out in the Bay, especially when they had chances to cash in. If the Pirates (14-18) losing 13 of their past 16 games to complete a freefall from first place in the NL Central to the basement of division standings in a two-week stretch isn’t alarming,...
Pirates farm report for May 1, 2024: Yasmani Grandal gets 3 hits on rehab assignment in Indy
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 14-12) played small ball in a 14-5 win over Buffalo (Blue Jays). C Yasmani Grandal (.250) hit three singles and had three RBIs, DH Jake Lamb (.391) smacked two doubles and a single and drove in two runs, and Ji Hwan Bae (.391) hit three singles and a...
Pirates fail to deliver with runners in scoring position in shutout loss as A’s sweep series
The Pittsburgh Pirates ended their West Coast trip to the Bay Area the same way they started it: by getting shut out. The Oakland Athletics got an early lead on solo home runs from Abraham Toro and Tyler Nevin and cruised to a 4-0 win Wednesday afternoon to sweep the...
Pirates’ hitting woes continue in 5-2 loss to A’s
Numbers painted a sorry picture Tuesday night for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Oakland Coliseum, and the result was another loss, 5-2 to the A’s. It was the third in a row, fourth in five games on the current West Coast road trip and 12th in the past 15. But...
Pirates farm report for April 30, 2024: Nick Gonzales hits 3rd homer for Indy
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 13-12) defeated Buffalo (Blue Jays), 4-3 in 11 innings. RHP Paul Skenes (0.39) struck out seven, walked one and gave up four hits in six scoreless innings, his longest outing a professional. He has struck out 41 in 23 innings with Indy. DH Yasmani Grandal (.231) hit a...
Pirates prospect Paul Skenes works 6 scoreless innings for Triple-A IndianapolisVideo
Paul Skenes’ sixth Triple-A start ended much like the previous five — with the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2023 No. 1 draft choice taking command on the mound. In his longest outing of the season Tuesday for the Indianapolis Indians, Skenes pitched the game’s first six innings — scoreless for the fifth...
Pirates acquire minor-league infielder Keiner Delgado from Yankees to complete JT Brubaker trade
The Pittsburgh Pirates completed the March 29 trade of pitcher JT Brubaker to the New York Yankees on Tuesday, acquiring switch-hitting, minor-league second baseman/shortstop Keiner Delgado as the player to be named. Delgado, 20, is rated the 20th-best Yankees prospect by MLB Pipeline after he was named last year to...
‘The confidence is there’: Kyle Nicolas looks like a different pitcher in return to Pirates’ bullpen
When Kyle Nicolas switched from starter to reliever last season, Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said the right-hander “looked like a different pitcher.” Since getting shelled for six runs on three hits — including a grand slam — in his major-league debut at the Chicago Cubs last Sept. 19,...
Pirates offense manages a season-low 2 hits in loss to A’s to drop 2 games below .500
When the Pittsburgh Pirates got a leadoff single by Ke’Bryan Hayes then loaded the bases in the first inning, it looked like a promising start. They wouldn’t get another hit until the ninth inning. The Pirates took their offensive ineptitude to another level, held to a season-low two hits in...
First Call: Steelers reportedly reached out about a Courtland Sutton trade; Joey Porter Jr.’s cousin getting Steelers camp invite
At least one report says the Pittsburgh Steelers did make a trade inquiry about Denver receiver Courtland Sutton. Another supposed Steelers draft target says he was expecting to wind up in Pittsburgh when his phone rang in the second round. A cousin of Joey Porter Jr. is getting a camp...
‘He’s not scared’: Pirates RHP Hunter Stratton checks another box by earning 1st MLB win
The firsts came in waves so fast that Hunter Stratton almost had to pinch himself while standing at his locker in the home clubhouse at PNC Park, recounting his amazement at his string of monumental moments. On the day his first child was due, the right-handed reliever learned that he...
Pirates farm report for April 28, 2024: Termarr Johnson, Jack Brannigan homer as Grasshoppers win series finale
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 12-12) and Omaha (Royals) had their doubleheader rained out. A makeup date was not announced. Next: Tuesday vs. Buffalo (Blue Jays), 6:05 p.m. ALTOONA (Double-A, 5-15) was swept in a six-game series by Akron (Guardians) after a 6-5 loss. It was the first time Altoona has lost all...
Pirates bats give Jared Jones little help in loss to Giants
Starting pitcher Jared Jones stood up to adversity and — without exhibiting his best stuff on the mound — gave his team a chance to win. Rowdy Tellez snapped out of a monthlong slump by ripping his first two doubles of the season and — with a veteran’s wisdom —...
Injured Pirates pitchers Marco Gonzales, Ryan Borucki plan to get 2nd medical opinions while team is in California
While the Pittsburgh Pirates are in California this week to play the San Francisco Giants and Oakland A’s, injured pitchers Marco Gonzales and Ryan Borucki will meet with new doctors there to get further information on their situations, general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday. Gonzales, who has made three starts...
Weather postponements in Triple-A might delay catcher Yasmani Grandal’s return to Pirates
Three days of weather-related postponements in Omaha might delay catcher Yasmani Grandal’s return to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ active roster. Grandal, a 12-year veteran, hasn’t played with the Pirates this season and has been on a rehab assignment in Triple-A Indianapolis while recovering from plantar fasciitis in his left foot. He...
Bryan Reynolds, Ke’Bryan Hayes hit back-to-back homers in 10th as Pirates top Giants
The Pittsburgh Pirates got back-to-back home runs from Bryan Reynolds and Ke’Bryan Hayes for a three-run lead in the top of the 10th inning, then held their breath to see whether their closer could hold it. After giving up a two-run homer, David Bednar recorded three strikeouts to help the...
