Pirates/MLB category, Page 191
Pirates farm report for May 18, 2021: Another dominant outing for Roansy Contreras
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 8-4) won 7-3 over St. Paul (Twins). LF Anthony Alford went 3 for 4 with a double and three RBIs. 3B Hunter Owen was 2 for 4 with three RBIs. 1B Christian Bethancourt singled twice and RF Chris Sharpe doubled. Beau Sulser started and earned the win, pitching...
Pirates send Chad Kuhl to Indianapolis to begin rehab assignment
Chad Kuhl, who has been on the injured list since April 22 with right shoulder discomfort, will start a rehab assignment Wednesday when he pitches for the Triple A Indianapolis Indians against the St. Paul (Minn.) Saints. Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Kuhl is expected to throw about 45...
Pirates to return to 100% capacity July 1; tickets for remaining games on sale next week
The Pittsburgh Pirates are increasing capacity to PNC Park starting in June, the team announced Tuesday. PNC Park will have an increased capacity of about 55%, with an approximate 3-foot social distancing between seating allotments, starting June 3, per the team’s announcement. That capacity will be in effect for all...
Investigator testifies Pirates pitcher Vazquez knew Scottdale girl was ‘too young’
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez, during a police interrogation at his Strip District apartment in September 2019, initially claimed he knew his teen accuser was young and told investigators her age was why he refused to communicate with her over the previous two years. Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Michael Thompson,...
Pirates great Rennie Stennett dies at age 72
Rennie Stennett, who made baseball history twice by his mere presence in the Pittsburgh Pirates lineup as a rookie and later with seven hits in seven at-bats in a game, died Tuesday morning in Coconut Creek, Fla., after a battle with cancer. He was 72. We are saddened to relay...
Erik Gonzalez’s mindset as important to Pirates as his glove
Two hours before first pitch Friday night at PNC Park, Erik Gonzalez was confronted with a question that can perplex the oldest, wisest and most talented players. “How do you handle the mental pressure inherent in the game of baseball?” Gonzalez thought about it for several seconds before he conceded...
Cardinals jump on Pirates early to claim victory
The way was cleared for the Pittsburgh Pirates to threaten and perhaps even defeat the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night. Starting pitcher J.T. Brubaker settled down after allowing five runs in the first three innings and the bullpen threw 2⅓ innings worth of zeroes at the Cardinals. Then, Gregory...
Pirates claim infielder Ildemaro Vargas off waivers, designate Troy Stokes Jr.
The Pirates claimed infielder Ildemaro Vargas off waivers from the Chicago Cubs on Monday. Vargas, 29, is 3 for 21 this season with two doubles and two RBIs. The switch-hitter, who has played second base and shortstop this season, was designated for assignment May 15. To make room on the...
Teen testifies to sexual relationship with ex-Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez, says initial contact was ‘super cool’
A 17-year-old girl testified Monday she thought it was “super cool” when Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Felipe Vazquez responded to her social media message in which she wished him a happy birthday in July 2017. Six weeks later, with her parents away for the day, Vazquez had sex with her...
Ready in a pinch: Pirates’ Wilmer Difo credits preparation for leading majors in pinch hits
When it comes to his career numbers as a pinch hitter, Wilmer Difo is hovering at the Mendoza Line. His batting average in that role was even worse when he was with the Washington Nationals. What once served as a scarlet letter, Difo now wears like a badge of honor....
Pirates farm report for May 16, 2021
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 7-4) defeated Toldeo (Tigers), 6-5. 1B Christian Bethancourt (.333) hit a walk-off single to score CF Travis Swaggerty (.200) in the bottom of the ninth. Swaggerty hit his third home run and had three RBIs. LF Chris Sharpe (.258) and RF Dustin Fowler (.258) also homered. RHP Shea...
Jacob Stallings injured, Pirates strand nine runners in loss to Giants
If the Pittsburgh Pirates were going to beat the San Francisco Giants, it would require the third walk-off win in as many games. Not only that, but the Pirates were without the player who hit the heroic home run Saturday night as catcher Jacob Stallings was removed from the game...
Pirates GM Ben Cherington hopes Colin Moran, Phillip Evans can avoid rehab assignments
The Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping first baseman Colin Moran and corner infielder/outfielder Phillip Evans return from the injured list this week and “perhaps even avoid a rehab assignment,” general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday afternoon on his weekly radio show. Moran (groin) and Evans (hamstring) were placed on the 10-day...
Pirates farm report for May 15, 2021: 4 Bradenton pitchers combine on no-hitter
BRADENTON (Low-A, 7-4) Four pitchers combined on a no-hitter in a 2-0 victory over Dunedin (Blue Jays). RHP Jose Maldonado, an international free agent signing, started and went two innings, striking out four and walking one. RHP Cameron Junker, a 2019 10th-round pick out of Notre Dame, followed with a...
Jacob Stallings hits 2-run, walk-off home run to lift Pirates past Giants
Echoing a rallying cry from their glory days, Pittsburgh Pirates fans chanted the surname of Johnny Cueto in an attempt to once again rattle the San Francisco Giants starting right-hander at PNC Park. Unlike the 2013 NL wild card game, Cueto didn’t drop the ball. By the end, however, Pirates...
Adam Frazier shows staying power at 2B for Pirates, despite cameos in left field
Derek Shelton hasn’t hesitated to ask Adam Frazier to move to left field in late-game situations, knowing “he’s more than willing” to play wherever needed for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Shelton, however, made it clear once again Saturday that he has no intention of moving Frazier away from second base. “I’m...
Pirates farm report for May 14, 2021
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 5-4) beat Toledo (Tigers), 6-2. RHP James Marvel started and went 5.1 innings, giving up two runs on six hits and striking out six. RHO Shea Spitzbarth pitched a scoreless inning of relief to get the win. C Andrew Susac went 2 for 4 with a home run...
Rookie pitcher, Gregory Polanco lead Pirates to win in 11th
During the Pirates’ 3-2 victory Friday night against the San Francisco Giants, the winning team struck out 17 times and only four of its 13 batters hit safely. Second baseman Adam Frazier made what looked like the defensive play of the game – in left field – until he was...
Pirates’ Ben Cherington says Gregory Polanco, Mitch Keller will continue to get opportunities
Gregory Polanco leads the Pittsburgh Pirates in stolen bases with four, but that’s not the reason he remains in right field and bats fifth in the order with a .202 batting average (before Friday). Mitch Keller has the highest ERA (7.81) and WHIP (1.81) among Pirates starters, but manager Derek...
Jury seated in Pirates pitcher’s sexual assault trial, testimony to begin Monday
Testimony in the sexual assault trial of former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez will begin Monday morning in a Westmoreland County courtroom. Twelve jurors and two alternates were seated Friday for what is expected to be a three-day trial after Vazquez was accused of having sexual relations with a 13-year...
Pirates lift mask mandate for fully vaccinated fans at PNC Park
The Pirates announced Friday that fully vaccinated fans will no longer need to wear a face mask at PNC Park. On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased public health guidelines for mask wearing, allowing people to safely stop wearing masks inside in most places as well as...
Pirates farm report for May 13, 2021
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 4-4) lost 6-5 to Toledo (Tigers). The Indians scored all five of their runs in the second inning, which was highlighted by a three-run homer by DH Anthony Alford. 1B Christian Bethancourt also homered in the second. Alford and RF Dustin Fowler finished with two hits apiece. Matt...
Tennessee buddies Wil Crowe, Will Craig reunite in Pirates’ loss to Giants
On another night, perhaps in a game with a different outcome, the confluence of Wil and Will would have been a story worth retelling for years. But at PNC Park on Thursday night, Wil Crowe’s mostly effective five-inning start and Will Craig’s first major-league home run weren’t enough to prevent...
Pirates notebook: Phil Evans goes on IL, replaced by Will Craig
The Pittsburgh Pirates lost another first baseman Thursday when Phil Evans was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain. Evans, who is hitting .216, replaced Colin Moran (left groin strain) at first base and batted third Wednesday before leaving the 4-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds....
First Call: Steelers already underdogs in opener; ex-Penguin in mix for Rangers coaching job?
Thursday’s “First Call” shows little faith in the Pittsburgh Steelers to start 2021 on the right foot. A former Pitt Panther basketball player is getting his coaching start in the Bronx. Meanwhile, a former Penguin is hoping to continue his coaching career in Manhattan. And the Pirates need to get...
