Pirates/MLB category, Page 119
Pirates dealt a ‘big blow’ as shortstop Oneil Cruz fractures ankle in home plate collision
After an awkward slide and collision with Chicago White Sox catcher Seby Zavala, Oneil Cruz was in obvious pain, and his left leg bent at an odd angle underneath him. Cruz slid backward to inch away from home plate before turning onto his right side. As benches cleared in the...
Pirates farm report for April 8, 2023: Mike Burrows leaves with injury as Indy wins 4th straight
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 4-4) opened the season with four straight losses followed by four straight wins, beating Louisville (Reds), 5-4. RHP Mike Burrows (2.70) started but left the game with an injury in the second inning. LHP Cam Alldred (1-0, 0.00) pitched 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out...
Vince Velasquez exits early, Andrew McCutchen homers late as White Sox snap Pirates’ win streak
Vince Velasquez got goosebumps in anticipation of making his first start for the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, and the right-hander had extra motivation in facing his former Chicago White Sox teammates. What Velasquez didn’t have was control. Velasquez was pulled in the third inning after allowing five runs on...
MLB rule changes quickly catching on with Pirates fans
In an alternate universe, Friday’s game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox might have eclipsed four hours in length. The teams combined for 22 runs and 30 hits in 80 at-bats, with seven pitchers taking the mound. But with MLB’s rule changes, highlighted by the pitch clock, Friday’s...
Pirates farm report for April 7, 2023: Tucupita Marcano swinging hot bat for Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 3-4) ran its winning streak to three with a 5-3 win over Louisville (Reds). SS Tucupita Marcano (.500) went 3 for 5 with three doubles and three runs scored. C Endy Rodriguez (.211) was 2 for 4 with an RBI. CF Travis Swaggerty (.276) went 1 for 5...
Gov. Josh Shapiro sets tone for Pirates victory with 1st strike of the day
The first pitch of the day was right down the middle. The catcher never moved his glove. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was so proud of it that he was eager to offer proof when approached for comment. “Did you throw a strike, Governor?” a reporter asked. “You bet I did,”...
Pirates triumphant in Andrew McCutchen’s return behind Bryan Reynolds’ 6 RBIs
The black-clad crowd chanted M-V-P during the introduction of Andrew McCutchen in his return for the Pittsburgh Pirates, bringing back that Buctober feeling to PNC Park. The trade that sent McCutchen to the San Francisco Giants five years ago came full circle when fans later serenaded the player the Pirates...
A.J. Burnett, Russell Martin reunite at PNC Park to throw 1st pitch for Pirates’ home opener
In front of an expected sellout crowd at PNC Park for the home opener, the Pittsburgh Pirates paid homage to their 2013 team that advanced to the National League Divisional Series and ended a streak of 20 consecutive losing seasons. Former battery mates A.J. Burnett and Russell Martin reunited for...
‘He’s home’: Fans greet Andrew McCutchen with raucous reception during home opener
Pirates fans waited five years for this moment. No. 22 is back. Andrew McCutchen returned as a Pirate to PNC Park on Friday for the team’s home opener and was embraced by about 40,000 people in attendance. “To wear No. 22 again,” he said, “there is nothing else like it.”...
Pirates notebook: Biggest crowd in years fills PNC Park for opener
Plenty of indicators prior to first pitch Friday afternoon pointed to a pretty full house at PNC Park for the Pirates’ 2023 home opener. For starters, there were the full parking lots full of tailgating fans and backed-up masses of people eager to get in the ballpark well before the...
Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen finds right mix of nostalgia and having a job to do
Andrew McCutchen understands he has a job to do as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ designated hitter and No. 3 hitter in the batting order. But he’s also embracing the nostalgia of his first game back at PNC Park in six years. “You don’t separate it. You embrace it,” he said before...
For Pirates closer David Bednar, home opener hits different than in years prior
David Bednar has made the southward drive from his home in Mars to Pittsburgh’s North Shore countless times. Now in Year 3 with the Pirates, showing up to work at PNC Park is nothing new for the 28-year-old closer, who, in addition to having pitched a total of 109 games...
Andrew McCutchen says goodbye to visitors’ clubhouse at PNC Park, hello to new career chapter
Perhaps the most difficult part of Andrew McCutchen’s day was meeting with a room full of reporters Friday morning — before his first cup of coffee. But that was OK. Because the best part of his day already had happened. All he had to do was walk inside PNC Park...
North Side author pens book about Pittsburgh’s baseball parks history
The start of a new baseball season brings hope, beginning with the first pitch. The annual tradition of fans gathering at PNC Park for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener inspired North Side resident Mark T. Fatla to think of the people over the years making their way to the ballpark,...
Mark Madden: Remember how this ends, Pirates fans
Friday was opening day for the Pirates’ home schedule. Or Opening Day. Depending on how you feel about it. (Thanks, Jim Bouton.) There is a groundswell of enthusiasm for the Pirates given their 5-2 start after a 13-9 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Friday was supposed to be a...
Optimism is in the air at PNC Park as Pirates open home scheduleVideo
There is nothing quite like the home opener as baseball season kicks into gear. The crack of the bat. The sizzling of the grill. The roar of the crowd. It’s the time of year to welcome spring and gather once again inside PNC Park on Pittsburgh’s North Shore, this time...
On Sports: After sweep, Pirates needle Red Sox over ‘hodgepodge of nothingness’ comment; NHL playoff race narrows
Those who steward the Pittsburgh Pirates’ social media accounts deserve a hodgepodge of a raise. In their race for a playoff spot, the Penguins don’t have to worry about two competitors anymore. And a local hockey star shines on college hockey’s biggest stage. All in what is a very Good...
5 things to know about 2023 Pirates’ home openerVideo
Andrew McCutchen, A.J. Burnett, Russell Martin and an expected sold-out crowd decked out in black jerseys and T-shirts should make for quite a spectacle at the Pirates’ home opener Friday. There will be plenty to see and enjoy before the Pirates (4-2) take the field to face the Chicago White...
Pirates farm report for April 7, 2023: Travis Swaggerty stars in Indy doubleheader sweep
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 2-4) after losing its first four games of the season, Indianapolis swept a doubleheader from Louisville (Reds) on Thursday. In the first game, a 5-3 win, RF Travis Swaggerty went 1 for 3 and hit his first home run. RHP Luis Ortiz (1.08) allowed one run on three...
‘A great memory’: Rich Hill to start Pirates home opener 6 years after near no-hitterVideo
When Rich Hill takes the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener Friday against the Chicago White Sox, it will bring back memories of a night where he flirted with perfection and took a no-hitter into the 10th inning at PNC Park. That game is a good memory for the...
‘This is where I needed to be’: Andrew McCutchen revels in PNC Park return as a Pirate
Andrew McCutchen leaned back into his chair and imagined hearing “No. 22” and his name announced while wearing black and gold again before his first at-bat with the Pittsburgh Pirates back at PNC Park. McCutchen allowed his mind to wander with anticipation about the emotions and energy the ovations will...
On Sports: ‘Blackout’ momentum grows for Pirates’ home opener; Fleury could play spoiler vs. Penguins
Hey, if Andrew McCutchen and A.J. Burnett are back at PNC Park, why not just go all the way in making it feel like 2013 all over again? A movement is afoot for a “blackout” for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener Friday. The most prominent baseball game played in the...
Behind Carlos Santana’s homer, Mitch Keller’s strong start, Pirates beat Red Sox for sweep
Carlos Santana was making solid contact, so the Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman believed he was close to making an offensive impact. Santana, who hit .105 (2 for 19) in his first five games, went 2 for 4 with his first home run as a Pirate and an RBI double to...
Diocese says hot dogs benched for Catholics on Pirates’ home opener
Baseball and hot dogs go together like peanuts and Cracker Jack — except when it comes to Good Friday. Catholics attending the Pirates’ home opener on Friday — one of the holiest days of the year for Catholics — still must abstain from eating meat, according to the Pittsburgh Diocese....
Pirates will have highest slot value ever with No. 1 overall draft pick, 3rd-highest bonus pool
The Pittsburgh Pirates will have the highest slot value ever for the No. 1 overall pick and the third-highest bonus pool to use for the 2023 MLB Draft, per a report by MLB.com. After winning the inaugural draft lottery, the Pirates learned Tuesday that the slot value for the first...
