Pirates/MLB category, Page 194
Pirates lefty Sam Howard has developed into a reliever at the ready out of bullpen
As Sam Howard watches the Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitchers to see if they are allowing runners on base or closing on their pitch counts, he starts stretching and throwing weighted balls to get ready. Howard isn’t just waiting for the bullpen phone to ring. He’s secretly hoping the Pirates are...
Pirates’ No. 2 prospect Oneil Cruz to start in Double-A, top pick Nick Gonzales in High-A
After a season without minor league baseball, the Pittsburgh Pirates are in the process of assigning players to their affiliates, and four of their top five prospects are on rosters at three different levels. Top prospect Ke’Bryan Hayes made the Opening Day roster but has been on the injured list...
How long can the Pirates sustain their competitive start? Here are 3 angles to consider
I can’t think of any Pirates fan — or Pittsburgh media member (this one included) — who thought this edition of the team could be at .500 by the end of April. For a team expected to lose at least 100 games, going 12-12 to begin 2021 is applause-worthy for...
With good glove, timely hitting, Erik Gonzalez making a case to stay in the Pirates’ lineup
When Hunter Dozier’s 107-mph rocket came streaking down the third-base line in the fourth inning, Erik Gonzalez made a stop that dropped him to the dirt. Gonzalez came up on his left knee and threw across his body to second base to start an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play. Pittsburgh Pirates...
Mitch Keller’s short start leads to long night for Pirates in loss to Royals
As Mitch Keller threw pitch after pitch — almost half of them for balls — the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander’s body language was telling: This was going to be a short start and a long night. A 47-pitch first inning doomed Keller, who got three-ball counts against four of the first...
Pirates get ‘very, very encouraging news’ on Ke’Bryan Hayes’ wrist injury
The Pittsburgh Pirates received “very encouraging news” regarding the left wrist of rookie third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, who has been on the injured list since April 4 and reaggravated the injury last Wednesday. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Hayes returned to Pittsburgh and was re-examined by specialists...
Pirates will remain at 25% capacity for home games through May
The Pittsburgh Pirates will keep 25% capacity for home games through the month of May, according to an official. The team put tickets on sale for 13 games at PNC Park on Wednesday morning, starting with May 10 vs. the Cincinnati Reds through May 30 against the Colorado Rockies. “For...
By extending MLB-best scoreless streak, Richard Rodriguez captures Pirates’ closer role
Derek Shelton has been reluctant to name a closer for the Pittsburgh Pirates, so Richard Rodriguez made it easy on his manager by seizing the job with the longest scoreless streak in baseball. Asked if that makes him The Closer — yes, with a capital C — Shelton simply shrugged....
Wilmer Difo’s pinch-hit RBI single in 7th leads Pirates past Royals
The Kansas City Royals came to PNC Park with baseball’s best record, riding a five-game winning streak and with a small-market, team-building template the Pittsburgh Pirates want to follow. In a span of three seasons, the Royals went from worst to first in the AL Central, turning a 104-loss team...
New outfielder Ka’ai Tom hoping to make quick impact on Pirates
Ka’ai Tom doesn’t hesitate to help enunciate his Hawaiian first name — it’s pronounced kuh-EYE — and the newest Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder even offered a bit of advice to their broadcasters. “Think of the apostrophe as a pause,” Tom said, “like a hiccup.” That’s the perfect analogy for Tom’s arrival,...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Pirates back to .500, thanks to clicking ‘pen, Reynolds’ resurgence
That the Pittsburgh Pirates are at .500 only 22 games into the season wouldn’t be cause for celebration in most years — and shouldn’t be — but is bringing optimism to a club projected to lose 100-plus games. The Pirates have played all but one full game without Ke’Bryan Hayes,...
First Call: Was ESPN analyst’s shot at Steelers offensive line fair? Alex Ovechkin injury update; Pirates host hot Royals
In our first “First Call” back from vacation, we look at a slap across the face of the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line. We have an injury update on Alexander Ovechkin as a date against the Penguins looms. Alejandro Villanueva may have competition for that potential new job he’s supposed to...
Tim Benz: On Mike Tomlin’s contract extension; Justin Layne’s arrest; solid play from Pirates, Penguins
The Steelers, Pirates and Penguins certainly don’t give you time for a break, do they? After a rare week off at “Breakfast With Benz,” there’s a lot to catch up on as we get ready for the upcoming Steelers draft week. Hopefully, you enjoyed our NFL Draft preview series while...
Pirates lean on 12 hits, strong pitching to win series over Twins, return to .500 record
The Pittsburgh Pirates found a simple equation to get back to .500 baseball, leaning on a foundation of fundamentals by hitting early, playing good defense and being smart on the basepaths. The result: They keep taking two of three. Wil Crowe allowed one run in four innings in a spot...
Trevor Cahill throws 6 strong innings, as Pirates beat Twins
Nothing about the Trevor Cahill-Michael Perez battery should have given the Pittsburgh Pirates high hopes, given the right-hander twice had allowed seven runs and the catcher had one hit all season. Instead, Cahill made it as easy as 1-2-3 and Perez went 3 for 3 with three RBIs to lead...
Todd Frazier ‘humbled’ by promotion to Pirates, hopes to bring veteran presence, pop to lineup
When the Pittsburgh Pirates released Todd Frazier at the end of spring training, it wasn’t so much stunning to as it was humbling for the 10-year veteran and two-time All-Star infielder. Instead of joining another team, he made alternate plans. The 35-year-old Frazier signed a minor league contract with the...
Jacob Stallings breaks up J.A. Happ’s no-hit bid in 8th, but Twins blank Pirates
For seven innings, J.A. Happ no-hit the Pittsburgh Pirates, the deepest the Minnesota Twins 38-year-old left-hander had gone in a game without allowing a hit. As Happ’s pitch count inched toward the century mark, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli had Tyler Duffey start warming up in the bullpen. With one out...
Rodolfo Castro’s remarkable rise from Class A to majors a pleasant surprise for Pirates
Rodolfo Castro received the phone message from Indianapolis Indians manager Brian Esposito that he was being called up from the alternate training site to join the Pittsburgh Pirates’ taxi squad in Detroit. When Castro arrived at the Comerica Park clubhouse, he was called into the manager’s office, where Derek Shelton...
Mitch Keller’s strong start, Phillip Evans’ big defensive play lift Pirates past Tigers
Mitch Keller had a feel for his four-seam fastball, so the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander couldn’t figure out why he was giving up so many walks and even more hits with his signature pitch. What he discovered was it lacked command and movement in the strike zone, something Keller set out...
Pirates add Todd Frazier, DFA Dustin Fowler among roster moves
The Pittsburgh Pirates made a flurry of roster moves prior to Thursday’s game against the Detroit Tigers, addressing both inconsistency and injuries in their infield, outfield and pitching staff. Center fielder Dustin Fowler joined Anthony Alford in being designated for assignment after a dismal start, causing Pirates manager Derek Shelton...
Pirates 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes aggravates wrist injury, returns to Pittsburgh to see specialist
Ke’Bryan Hayes aggravated the left wrist injury that has caused the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie third baseman to miss 16 games and is returning to Pittsburgh to see a hand specialist to “come up with the best and most appropriate plan to return him to play.” Pirates director of sports medicine...
Pirates drop second game to Tigers, settle for a split in doubleheader
Looking for a sweep of their doubleheader at Detroit that would pull them up to .500 for the season, the Pittsburgh Pirates pulled a surprise by giving a pair of rookies their first major league starts. Pirates manager Derek Shelton put Miguel Yajure on the mound and Rodolfo Castro at...
From Pine-Richland to Pirates, Neil Walker bids farewell to 12-year MLB career
Before Neil Walker could begin to talk about the end of his baseball career, his voice cracked. He flashed a big smile, the one that took him from fresh-faced first-round pick out of Pine-Richland to a stubble-bearded 35-year-old finally bidding farewell to his favorite sport. The Pittsburgh Kid hopes this...
Tyler Anderson strikes out 7; Pirates take Game 1 of doubleheader against Tigers
The Detroit Tigers stacked their lineup with right-handed hitters to face Tyler Anderson, an extra challenge for the Pittsburgh Pirates lefty on a day when the cold weather already provided one. Anderson had a gameplan of his own, mixing his four-seam fastball with a changeup that had the Tigers swinging...
Pirates DFA Anthony Alford among multiple roster moves
The Pittsburgh Pirates made several roster moves Wednesday, reshaping their roster prior to a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers. Anthony Alford, who started in center field on Opening Day, was designated for assignment after batting .083 (2 for 24) with 16 strikeouts and four walks in 11 games. The Pirates...
