Pirates/MLB category, Page 185
Pirates’ Bryan Reynolds focused only on this season, with perhaps a quick glance toward the All-Star Game
Bryan Reynolds was polite with his answer, but adamant in his insistence. “I don’t want to talk about last year anymore,” he said. Actually, he said it twice, making his point as forcefully as any hit he has launched off the barrel of his bat this season. Translation: Please leave...
Pirates open road trip with 8-2 victory against Cardinals
Misery shifted sides and moved into the St. Louis Cardinals dugout Thursday night at Busch Stadium. The escorts for the evening were named Adam Frazier, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Bryan Reynolds and Chad Kuhl, and they were largely — almost solely — responsible for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 8-2 victory, their fourth in...
Pirates farm report for June 24, 2021: Cal Mitchell raps tie-breaking homer for Altoona
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 24-20) handled Louisville (Reds), 6-2. RF Bligh Madris and 2B T.J. Rivera hit back-to-back home runs in a five-run first inning. Madris went 1 for 3 with a walk. His home run, a two-run shot, was his second of the season. Rivera, who went 2 for 4, hit...
Pirates notebook: Indianapolis’ Miguel Yajure moves to 60-day injured list, out until August
In the midst of 20 games without a day off, the Pittsburgh Pirates might need to bolster their starting rotation, but Indianapolis Indians pitcher Miguel Yajure won’t be able to help. Yajure, who was placed on the seven-day minor league injured list June 2 with a sore forearm, was transferred...
First Call: Andrew McCutchen and Josh Bell hit dueling grand slams; Minkah Fitzpatrick credited for his quick ascent
Thursday’s “First Call” features quite a hitting duel between two former Pirates. An update on Al Villanueva’s progress in Baltimore. Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is honored for his fast rise to stardom. And the Pirates may be heading to St. Louis at just the right time. Double the pleasure It...
U mad, bro?: Fans have anxiety about trading Adam Frazier, doubts about the Pirates draft, concerns about college sports
Anxiety about an Adam Frazier trade. Depression over the Pirates draft philosophy. And concerns over the future of college sports. That’s what filled up the comments section in the columns, email inbox and Twitter interactions for this week’s “U mad, bro?” We start with a tweet from Kenny. He agrees...
Neil Walker on his upcoming honor at PNC Park, retirement, any future with Pirates franchise
Neil Walker caught his fair share of ceremonial first pitches at PNC Park over his seven years as a Pittsburgh Pirate. Soon, he’ll be on the other end. “I’ve never thrown a pitch from the mound,” Walker said during Thursday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast. Although he did quickly boast about...
Fighting 1st slump of his MLB career, Pirates rookie Ke’Bryan Hayes trying to ‘hunt the good’
Ke’Bryan Hayes is chasing fastballs, not a baseline batting average, so the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie third baseman concentrates on how hard and how often he’s hitting the ball while mixing in walks for good measure. After slashing .376/.442/.682 with seven doubles, two triples, five home runs and 11 RBIs in...
Pirates farm report for June 23, 2021: Aaron Shackelford clouts 13th homer for Greensboro
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 23-20) was held to six hits in a 5-0 loss to Louisville (Reds). RHP Cody Ponce started and gave up four runs on eight hits in five innings, falling to 0-3 with a 5.70 ERA. 2B T.J. Rivera went 2 for 4 with a double. SS Cole Tucker,...
Yasmani Grandal’s 2-run double boosts White Sox past Pirates
When the South Siders needed a big play, they went opposite. Yasmani Grandal hit a two-out, two-run double to the North Side Notch in the fifth inning to boost the Chicago White Sox to a 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday afternoon before 10,406 at PNC Park. “I...
‘Just a move for him to be around the team’: Steven Brault to join Pirates for next homestand but not ready to return
Steven Brault is scheduled to throw a live batting practice this week and will be joining the Pittsburgh Pirates for their next homestand, but the left-hander isn’t quite ready to return to major league action yet. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Brault (left lat strain) “continues to...
As tensions flare over sticky stuff checkups, Pirates pitchers pass test with no problems
Where Washington starter Max Scherzer raised his hands and rolled his eyes and Oakland reliever Sergio Romo dropped his pants in response to MLB umpires checking pitchers for sticky stuff, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ dugout had mock applause for Tyler Anderson after he passed the checkpoint. That caused the Pirates left-hander...
Tim Benz: Vanderbilt pitchers are too good to pass on both. But be prepared for Pirates to do so anyway.
It’s not to the same degree that Pittsburgh Penguins fans have adopted the Vegas Golden Knights as a second team, but some diehard Pirates fans have tracked Vanderbilt baseball with a similar interest. Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker don’t have Marc-Andre Fleury’s cachet just yet in Pittsburgh. But they might...
In a big week for Mars’ Bednar brothers, Pirates reliever gets 1st major league win
David Bednar got the post-game shower — a mixture of baby powder, beer, pop and anything else the Pittsburgh Pirates could find in their home clubhouse — but knew his celebration would be short-lived. After earning the first win of his major league career in a 6-3 victory over the...
Pirates farm report for June 22, 2021: Altoona defense lets down Roansy Contreras
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 23-19) lost 9-5 to Louisville (Reds). 3B Michael De Leon hit a walk-off grand slam off LHP Braeden Ogle in the bottom of the 10th. RHP Beau Sulser started and gave up four runs on seven hits in four innings. 3B Hunter Owen went 1 for 4 with...
Pirates pick up Tyler Anderson with 4-run rally in 7th inning to beat White Sox
After drawing criticism for giving his starting pitchers an early hook, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton was about to get blamed for leaving Tyler Anderson in too long against the Chicago White Sox. Anderson cruised through six innings before giving up a three-run homer to Yasmani Grandal, but the Pirates...
After struggling early, Michael Perez flashing power for Pirates with more playing time
When the Pittsburgh Pirates claimed Michael Perez off waivers to be a backup catcher, they received reports from Tampa Bay that the left-handed hitter had the ability to drive the ball. Where Perez showed flashes of power, going 3 for 3 with a two-run double and a solo home run...
First Call: NFL commissioner supports Carl Nassib; Pirates prepare for AL Central elite, must ponder Jack Leiter
Tuesday’s “First Call” sees some NFL support for former Penn State star Carl Nassib. The Pirates have to face an old nemesis, and their MLB Draft Day decision may have just gotten more difficult. Plus, former Buccos star Neil Walker has an entertaining flashback. Full support NFL commissioner Roger Goodell...
As Derek Shelton’s quick hook draws criticism, Pirates manager explains method for pitching moves
Derek Shelton isn’t surprised by the second-guessing from Pittsburgh Pirates fans and followers every time he makes a decision that backfires, especially when it comes to giving his starting pitchers a quick hook. The Pirates manager does it to himself every day. “Actually, I do revisit every decision,” Shelton said...
First Call: Idea floated for Steelers to acquire former WPIAL star; who may be interested in trading for Adam Frazier?
Monday’s “First Call” looks at the idea of the Steelers swinging a trade with the New England Patriots to bring a former WPIAL star back to Pittsburgh. We wonder why the Steelers may want guard Trai Turner and who may offer a trade for Pirates infielder Adam Frazier. Plus, we...
Tim Benz: Major League Baseball has no one to blame for ‘sticky situation’ but itself
As Major League Baseball plans to transition into the post-Spider Tack era on Monday, controversy is sure to follow. Arguments. Social media flame wars. Whining pitchers. Beanballs — accidental and retaliatory. Slower games thanks to incessant spot checks, more walks, wild pitches and deeper counts. And the game will have...
Madden Monday: ‘We’re pretending Dwayne Haskins might be good, and he won’t be’; Pirates’ Derek Shelton ‘is an amateur’
Mark Madden is back from an extended weekend, and he has opinions stored up and ready to fly. In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, we start by discussing the rumors that PLB Sports & Entertainment CEO Ty Ballou wanted to buy the Pirates, even though they aren’t for sale. Madden...
Pirates farm report for June 20, 2021: Wilmer Difo’s heads up baserunning leads Indianapolis to walk-off win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 23-18) defeated Memphis (Cardinals), 8-7 in 11 innings. RF Christian Bethancourt (.278) singled home CF Anthony Alford (.302), and 3B Wilmer Difo (.244) sneaked home after a play at third base to score the walk-off win in the bottom of the 11th inning. Alford finished 2 for 2...
With June surge, Pirates’ Bryan Reynolds back to making big splash with his bat
Asked if he would be willing to jump into the Allegheny River to retrieve a home run ball like the shirtless Pittsburgh Pirates fan shown on the television broadcast, Bryan Reynolds cracked a sly smile and answered in the affirmative. “I just saw the picture of the guy doing the...
Indians spoil JT Brubaker’s strong performance to beat Pirates, avoid series sweep
JT Brubaker had tied his career highs for strikeouts and longest outing when the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander gave up a double off the Clemente Wall to Eddie Rosario in the seventh inning. Brubaker saw left-handed hitter Josh Naylor in the on-deck circle, so he peaked out to the bullpen. Lefty...
