Pirates/MLB category, Page 146
Madden Monday: Excitement over Oneil Cruz is one thing. Anointing him Rookie of the Year is another
In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE wants to distinguish between the prospect of what Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz can be and his current production. In other words, let’s appreciate the difference between saying, “This Cruz kid is going to be really good...
‘We knew it was going to happen’: Pirates not surprised by Clay Holmes’ success with Yankees
Chris Stratton recalled a past poll for which Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers were asked who had the best stuff on the staff. The answer was a no-brainer. “I’m pretty sure 90% of the guys said Clay Holmes,” Stratton said. So the Pirates aren’t necessarily surprised that Holmes has developed into a...
Pirates farm report for July 3, 2022: Connor Scott’s 3-run blast lifts Curve to win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 37-39) dropped a 7-4 decision to Nashville (Brewers). The Indians belted 14 hits. DH Yoshi Tsutsugo was 2 for 4 with three RBIs. RF Cal Mitchell (.326) was 3 for 5 with an RBI. LF Ben Gamel (.226) was 2 for 5. SS Ji-hwan Bae (.307) was 3...
Brewers blank Pirates, who go 0 for 11 with runners in scoring position
When Bryan Reynolds came to bat with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, the Pittsburgh Pirates thought there was a chance for another walk-off win. Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader already had thrown 31 pitches and just walked Ke’Bryan Hayes on a full count,...
Pirates make moves to shuffle pitching staff, acquiring LHP Manny Banuelos from Yankees
The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to reshape their pitching staff, as general manager Ben Cherington announced several roster moves Sunday on his weekly radio show on 93.7 The Fan. The Pirates optioned right-hander Bryse Wilson, who made a quality start in Saturday’s 7-4 win, to Triple-A Indianapolis. They activated righty Zach...
Pirates farm report for July 2, 2022: Yoshi Tsutsugo hits grand slam in Indy loss
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 37-38) lost 10-8 to Nashville (Brewers). 1B Yoshi Tsutsugo (.429) smacked a grand slam and was 2 for 4 with with a walk. SS Rodolfo Castro (.220) was 2 for 4, including a two-run homer. DH Kevin Newman (.385) was 3 for 5 with a double and an...
Bryse Wilson delivers quality spot start as Pirates beat Brewers
Needing a spot start, the Pittsburgh Pirates crossed their fingers and recalled right-hander Bryse Wilson with the hope they were getting the version who started to show consistency at Triple-A Indianapolis and not the one who had been battered by the St. Louis Cardinals. What they got was better than...
After more than 2,700 games behind the mike, Tim DeBacco has memories to fill 2 stadiums
Tim DeBacco remembers how it all started. In 1988, there was an opening at Three Rivers Stadium for a public address announcer at Pittsburgh Pirates games. The team had made the unpopular decision to replace beloved PA legend Art McKennan, who had done the job since 1948 at Forbes Field...
‘My job was to wear it’: Pirates reliever Cam Vieaux takes ownership of 8-run 8th inning
Derek Shelton admitted he didn’t sleep much following Friday’s 19-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, as his decision to let Cam Vieaux throw 56 pitches in one inning weighed on the Pittsburgh Pirates manager. Where Shelton was criticized for leaving the left-hander in too long, Vieaux had a different view...
Veteran announcers miked up to give PNC Park, Pirates baseball a new voice
When Pittsburgh Pirates officials approached Guy Junker about assuming part-time public address duties at PNC Park, he had no idea of the actual demands of the job. “I thought you got on there and said, ‘No. 10, Bryan Reynolds, is batting.’ ” Then, one day, he sat behind Tim DeBacco,...
Pirates farm report for July 1, 2022: Yoshi Tsutsugo homers, but Indy gets blown out
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 37-37) fell 13-4 to Nashville (Brewers). DH Yoshi Tsutsugo (.412) smacked a two-run home run. 2B Kevin Newman (.353) was 3 for 5 with an RBI. Both were on rehab outings. 3B Taylor Davis (.264) was 1 for 1 with two walks and an RBI. LF Travis Swaggerty...
Pirates suffer 2nd-most lopsided loss of season as Brewers blast 5 homers
With reigning NL Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes on the mound, the Milwaukee Brewers didn’t require much cushion for comfort against the Pittsburgh Pirates, especially with the calendar flipped to July. A seven spot proved to be plenty. Where the Pirates hit 44 home runs in June, including five in...
With 3-homer game, Michael Perez joins Pirates teammates to make historyVideo
When Michael Perez saw the pitch in his sweet spot, he hit it so flush that the Milwaukee Brewers fielders didn’t even bother to turn their heads to see if it cleared the fence. There was never a doubt. “I put a good swing on it,” Perez said. “All I...
Pirates farm report for June 30, 2022: Kevin Newman gets 2 hits for Indy
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 37-36) scored three in the first and held on to beat Nashville (Brewers), 4-3. SS Kevin Newman (groin) went 2 for 5 with two runs scored. 1B Yoshi Tsutsugo (back) went 1 for 4 with a double and an RBI. CF Jake Marisnick (thumb) went 1 for 5....
Michael Perez hits 3 homers, as Pirates survive Brewers 9th-inning rally
Move over, Bryan Reynolds and Jack Suwinski, and make room for Michael Perez. The catcher became the third Pittsburgh Pirates player this season — and second in as many days — to hit three home runs in a game with a trio of blasts to right field against the Milwaukee...
Pirates activate Tucupita Marcano from covid-IL, DFA Yu Chang
After taking a timeout, Tucupita Marcano is back with the Pittsburgh Pirates. And Yu Chang ran out of time. The Pirates made a pair of roster moves Thursday before the start of their three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park, activating Marcano from the covid-19 injured list and...
Bryan Reynolds rounding into form, as 3-homer game caps incredible month for Pirates CF
By hitting three home runs Wednesday at Washington, Bryan Reynolds reminded everyone why the Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder was an All-Star last season — and could be rounding back into that form. “It feels good,” Reynolds said. “I guess it feels kind of surreal, but it was a good day...
Pirates farm report for June 29, 2022: Carmen Mlodzinski picks up win for Altoona
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 36-36) was beaten by Nashville (Brewers), 8-5. DH Ben Gamel (hamstring), on a rehab assignment, went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts. RF Cal Mitchell (.320) went 3 for 4 with two runs scored. SS Rodolfo Castro (.220) went 1 for 4 with a homer, his seventh. 3B...
Bryan Reynolds hits 3 home runs, Pirates rally to beat Nationals
After a wild fifth inning that saw the Pittsburgh Pirates score the go-ahead run on an obscure rule and the Washington Nationals regain the lead on a confusing play at the plate, Bryan Reynolds took over. The All-Star center fielder hit his third home run — a three-run, opposite-field shot...
Mark Madden: Remembering the greatness of slugger Dave Kingman
When you’re a kid, you have weird tastes and allegiances. For instance, my favorite baseball player was Dave Kingman. Kingman was preceded in my favor by Pirates legend Bill Mazeroski. But Mazeroski retired when I was 11. Mazeroski was the first athlete I sent a fan letter. He mailed back...
Pirates farm report for June 28, 2022: Ben Gamel homers on rehab assignment
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 36-35) doubled up Nashville (Brewers), 6-3. LF Ben Gamel (hamstring), playing on a rehab assignment, went 2 for 5 with a two-run homer and a double. 2B Kevin Newman (groin) went 1 for 4 with an RBI. 1B Yoshi Tsutsugo (back) went 1 for 2 with three walks....
Pirates bats can’t overcome Nationals as losing streak stretches to 5
On the surface, the play that decided the Washington Nationals’ 3-1 victory Tuesday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates appeared to be Yadiel Hernandez’s two-run double that sailed over the head of inexperienced right fielder Diego Castillo. But the Nationals (29-48) only scored three runs in the game, and the Pirates...
After 4 innings, Pirates return Miguel Yajure to Triple-A Indianapolis
Miguel Yajure’s second stint this season on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ roster lasted four shutout innings. After allowing only four hits Monday night in the 3-2 loss to the Washington Nationals, Yajure was returned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday when left-handed pitcher Aaron Fletcher was promoted to the majors. Fletcher, 26,...
Pirates enduring frustrating ‘close but no cigar’ stretch of road games
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ current road trip has been defined by two things. Competitive games and frustrating results. Overall this season, the Pirates are pretty decent in one-run games, 10-9. Of late, though, winning the tight ones have been a problem. That’s unfortunate for a team that also has a propensity...
Juice from 2 rookies not enough in Pirates’ 3-2 loss to Nationals
Rookies Oneil Cruz and Miguel Yajure, players who could be a big part of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ future, tried to take care of the present Monday night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. But they needed help the rest of the team couldn’t provide. After Yajure and Cruz put the...
