Kevin Gorman stories, Page 11

The catcher position has been a paradox for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The defensive whiz who won the starting job last year is out for the season after injuring his elbow swinging a bat. The two-time All-Star brought in for veteran leadership has been sidelined since spring training. The backup brought...

A scoreless game came down to the 2023 National League saves leaders pitching the ninth inning, and San Francisco’s Camilo Doval escaped a bases-loaded jam against the Pittsburgh Pirates. David Bednar wasn’t as fortunate. Patrick Bailey hit a three-run home run to lift the Giants to a 3-0 walk-off win...

The Pittsburgh Pirates made a roster move to shake up their bullpen Friday, recalling right-hander Kyle Nicolas and optioning Ryder Ryan to Triple-A Indianapolis. Nicolas appeared in four games for the Pirates last season, allowing seven runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and four walks in 5 ⅓ innings....

The Pittsburgh Pirates are raising flags. Not enough of them are the Jolly Roger. The Pirates (13-13) won nine of their first 11 games (including five consecutive), lost nine of their next 11 (including six consecutive) then split a four-game series with the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers. That’s the very...

The Milwaukee Brewers took advantage of mishaps by the Pittsburgh Pirates to take a three-run lead, then nearly let it slip away in similar fashion in the final inning. The Brewers scored three runs in the third inning after reaching base on an error, one hit, two walks and two...

When it comes to pitch counts and innings management, Ben Cherington is doing a balancing act between having open lines of communication and keeping the Pittsburgh Pirates’ plans close to the vest. The Pirates general manager on Wednesday afternoon addressed two hot-button topics surrounding the team: the pitch count of...

Pittsburgh Pirates top pitching prospect Paul Skenes saw his scoreless streak end at 14 innings when he allowed his first runs of the season Wednesday afternoon at Omaha. Skenes had seven strikeouts and hit season highs by throwing 71 pitches in 4 1/3 innings in his fifth start for Triple-A...

David Bednar had pitched the previous two games, so the Pittsburgh Pirates wanted to be careful before deciding whether the two-time All-Star closer was available for the ninth inning Tuesday night. Pirates manager Derek Shelton believed Bednar reported to PNC Park with the mindset that he wanted to pitch, so...

After six games of scuffling, the Pittsburgh Pirates found a winning combination that worked for the second consecutive game: A leadoff home run and a quality start. Andrew McCutchen homered for the second consecutive game, and lefty Bailey Falter matched a career best with eight strikeouts over seven innings as...

With the Pittsburgh Pirates struggling offensively amid a six-game losing streak, manager Derek Shelton turned to a trusted veteran bat in search of a spark at the leadoff spot in the lineup. Andrew McCutchen understood the assignment. “I get it. It’s something that I’m familiar with,” McCutchen said. “When you...

Their losing streak was wearing on the Pittsburgh Pirates to the point that it showed in their body language, so Jared Jones provided the perfect antidote by turning the tables on the Milwaukee Brewers. The 22-year-old rookie right-hander strutted out to the mound with swagger, then unleashed eight fastballs that...

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jakob Junis was hit in the back of the neck by a line drive during Pittsburgh Pirates batting practice Monday afternoon before the teams’ game at PNC Park. Trainers from both teams tended to Junis near the warning track in right field for 15 minutes before an...

Oneil Cruz not only leads the major leagues in strikeouts but has more than twice as many as he does hits. The Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop, who set the Statcast record for exit velocity, appears as confounded as anyone about his struggles at the plate. After his 10th consecutive game with...

After racing out to the best record in baseball through the first 11 games, the Pittsburgh Pirates look lost amid a freefall that saw them suffer a sixth consecutive loss and second straight series sweep. The home clubhouse was mostly quiet and subdued after a 6-1 loss to the Boston...

Ben Cherington didn’t just defend the Pittsburgh Pirates’ decision to limit Jared Jones to five innings at the New York Mets on Tuesday but also applauded the coaching staff for coming up with the plan. The 22-year-old rookie right-hander was pulled despite holding the Mets scoreless and to one hit...

The Pittsburgh Pirates addressed a troubling trend by increasing their hit total but had little answer for their most disturbing dilemma: They are struggling to stop striking out and score runs. The Boston Red Sox scored two runs in the first inning, and Masataka Yoshida provided the difference with a...

A seven-game road trip that ended with being swept by the New York Mets turned the Pittsburgh Pirates upside down as their strengths became weaknesses, and they spiraled after a strong start. It’s bad enough the Pirates (11-8) have lost six of their past eight games, but the fashion of...

The Pittsburgh Pirates are dealing with their share of problems, but none is more glaring than their sudden offensive ineffectiveness. The New York Mets held the Pirates to five hits — none over the final four innings — and got two-run homers by Starling Marte and Harrison Bader for a...

Even before Ke’Bryan Hayes was a late scratch from the starting lineup Tuesday at the New York Mets, the Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman knew lower back tightness could become an issue this season. The 2023 NL Gold Glove winner told TribLive during the opening homestand that his back continues to...

Jared Jones continues to shove with a ruthless efficiency, recording seven strikeouts without a walk while holding the New York Mets to one hit in five shutout innings. That the Pittsburgh Pirates practiced caution with his innings limit, pulling the rookie right-hander after 59 pitches, backfired when their bullpen blew...

Alika Williams never had played anywhere but shortstop or second base before this season, when he started taking grounders at other infield positions and even shagging flies in the outfield. Williams knew his best chance of making the Pittsburgh Pirates out of spring training might be as a utility player,...

The Pittsburgh Pirates endured another meltdown in the back end of their bullpen. This one belonged to Aroldis Chapman, who appeared angered that the strike zone was being squeezed. The seven-time All-Star reliever was ejected by home plate umpire Edwin Moscoso after surrendering a two-run double in a three-run eighth...

With one swing, Nick Castellanos turned jeers to cheers. After being booed following a strikeout in the seventh inning, Philadelphia Phillies fans celebrated when Castellanos delivered the winning single for a 4-3 walk-off win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park. After striking out to strand...

Ke’Bryan Hayes finally has the hardware to prove he’s the best defensive player at his position in the National League, even if the Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman’s glove is missing its gold. Hayes uses an old Wilson model, so he isn’t allowed to adorn it with the gold patch that...

The Liberty Bell on their City Connect uniforms wasn’t the only thing with a crack in it for the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night, as their defense dealt with a night full of self-inflicted damage. David Bednar proved there’s no cracks in his confidence. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ All-Star closer rebounded...