Pirates/MLB category, Page 66
‘We want to keep winning’: Pirates GM Ben Cherington focused on improvement
The Pittsburgh Pirates resided in last place in the NL Central, seven games behind the Milwaukee Brewers, but only a half-game back in wild-card standings. So Pirates general manager Ben Cherington believes teams “have a pretty good idea” of what is and isn’t working this season. Even though the Pirates...
Tim Benz: Debating the idea that the Steelers get more media, fan protection than other Pittsburgh teams
CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala was on a recent edition of the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show. She’s a veteran of covering the Steelers and the AFC North for the NFL Network. During the episode, one of the hosts advanced the opinion that the Cleveland Browns are criticized in that city less...
Pirates farm report for June 7, 2024: Jake Lamb homers in Indianapolis loss
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 25-34) lost 7-3 to Columbus (Guardians). 1B Jake Lamb (.316) went 2 for 3 with a double and his fourth home run. LF Gilberto Celestino (.281) went 2 for 4 with his second homer. 3B Malcom Nunez (.262) went 1 for 4 with a run scored. DH Matt...
Mitch Keller tosses six shutout innings, Oneil Cruz, Connor Joe homer as Pirates beat Twins
Mitch Keller had kept the Minnesota Twins off the scoreboard for five-plus innings when he faced a full count with the bases loaded when the Pittsburgh Pirates ace showed confidence in his sweeper, a pitch he has worked to sharpen. If it wasn’t a strike, Keller was hoping for a...
Injured Pirates starter Martin Perez ‘pain-free,’ continues rehab of groin strain
In a batch of injury injury news pertinent to the starting rotation, Pittsburgh Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk revealed that lefty Martin Perez is “pain free” and will begin throwing from a slope soon, likely this weekend with the Minnesota Twins visiting PNC Park. Perez has been sidelined...
Mark Madden: Despite growing optimism for the Pirates, front office failings can’t be ignored
There is legit optimism concerning the Pittsburgh Pirates for the first time in a long time. Paul Skenes is a phenom, Jared Jones isn’t far behind and Mitch Keller is a solid No. 3 starter. Their rotation could win a playoff series right now. The trick is getting there. That’s...
Nick Gonzales’ love of hitting yielding results for the Pirates
With muscles rippling on his back and a quiet determination in his eyes, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ second baseman has the look of a running back unafraid of contact, despite a 5-foot-9, 190-pound physique. But that’s not Nick Gonzales. He tried football at Cienga High School in Vail, Ariz., and held...
Pirates farm report for June 6, 2024: Indianapolis pitchers touched up for 23 runs
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 25-33) gave up seven home runs and was clobbered by Columbus (Guardians), 23-5. RHP Domingo German (0-3, 7.97) started and went five innings, allowing eight runs on nine hits, including two homers. He walked three and struck out three. LHP Geronimo Franzua (6.75) was touched up for six...
Dodgers chase Bailey Falter early, pummel Pirates bullpen to avoid sweep
The Pittsburgh Pirates were eyeing a sweep of one of baseball’s best teams Thursday night at PNC Park, with Bailey Falter hoping to follow the solid performances of Jared Jones and Paul Skenes against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Unfortunately for the Pirates, those hopes took a big dent early, as...
Pirates add Justin Bruihl to bolster left-handed depth in bullpen
Relief pitcher Justin Bruihl has been with four MLB teams in four seasons, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, who added him to the roster Thursday in a quest for left-handed bullpen depth. He joins Aroldis Chapman as the only left-handed relievers on the team. Bruihl knows stability is promised to few...
Shohei Ohtani, other Dodgers discuss nuances between Jared Jones, Paul Skenes after seeing both this week
After being sent down on strikes 14 times in 11 innings against Paul Skenes and Jared Jones the past two nights, the Los Angeles Dodgers are talking about the similarities and differences between the Pittsburgh Pirates’ two rookie flamethrowing pitchers. “They both throw hard. But what really stands out is...
U mad, bro?: Pittsburgh fans not wild about state of Steelers QBs, Bryan Rust’s New York state of mind
A June swoon? Not for “U mad, bro?” At least not to start the month. We are already coming in hot for the early summer. Who is catching the heat? A two-time Stanley Cup champion. Both Steelers QBs. Derek Shelton and Ben Cherington. And the entire Steelers wide receiver depth...
Tim Benz: 80 years after D-Day, remembering baseball’s connection to World War II
It may have been 80 years ago, but Alex Vasselo can distinctly recall the news broadcasts from June 6, 1944. As an 11-year-old in McKees Rocks, he listened to them all day. “I still remember how they explained the actual leaving from England, with all the ships and everything. And...
Pirates’ Aroldis Chapman hits 104 mph twice for MLB’s fastest pitches this yearVideo
The chess match between Pittsburgh Pirates starter Paul Skenes and Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani lived up to expectations Wednesday night at PNC Park. Ohtani hit a two-run homer and managed a single off Skenes in the Pirates’ eventual 10-6 win, but Skenes fanned Ohtani in the top...
Pirates farm report for June 5, 2024: Andres Alvarez belts 4 hits in Indianapolis win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 25-32) smoked Columbus (Guardians), 11-6. SS Andres Alvarez (.272) went 4 for 5 with a triple, three runs scored and his second stolen base in the leadoff spot. DH Brenden Dixon (.200) went 2 for 5 with a two-run homer, his first. CF Matt Gorski (.272) went 2...
Pirates’ Paul Skenes, Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani trade highlights in much-anticipated showdown
Thanks to a free ticket, a teenage Paul Skenes was in attendance when Shohei Ohtani made his home pitching debut for the Los Angeles Angels against the Oakland Athletics in April 2018. Skenes watched in awe as the Japanese superstar, a two-time AL MVP who was then only a 23-year-old...
7-run inning propels Pirates, Paul Skenes to series win over Dodgers
Once the Pittsburgh Pirates formalized who would be starting against the Dodgers in a three-game series this week at PNC Park, a collision course was set between two of the most dynamic young pitchers in baseball and Los Angeles’ heavyweight batting order. With Wednesday’s 10-6 win in front of 28,716...
Tyler Glasnow’s blunt assessment of his time in Pittsburgh; Dodgers manager on ‘effectively wild’ Jared Jones
Former Pittsburgh Pirate Tyler Glasnow couldn’t get a win in his return to PNC Park. But that wasn’t his fault. Blame his offense, and blame the other guy who started against him. Glasnow and the Dodgers lost 1-0 to the Pirates despite the 30-year-old right-hander turning in a solid performance...
Tim Benz: For Paul Skenes, 2 tasks are clear against Dodgers in start No. 5
For Pittsburgh Pirates rookie sensation Paul Skenes, his two challenges are clear in advance of his fifth Major League start. • Replicate what he has been doing on the road in a home game. • Do it against one of the best lineups in baseball. The fire-balling right-hander was solid...
First Call: Context for Cam Heyward’s contract desires; are Steelers a 2nd option for Micah Parsons down the road?
Wednesday’s “First Call” puts some numbers to what Cameron Heyward may be asking of the Pittsburgh Steelers in terms of compensation for the rest of his career. Also, a Dallas Cowboys star is putting out feelers about joining the Steelers if the circumstances are right … players besides Brandon Aiyuk...
Jack Suwinski homers, Henry Davis doubles in 1st game with Pirates following promotionsVideo
Roughly two weeks removed from being demoted to Triple-A Indianapolis because of major offensive struggles, Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jack Suwinski got the call back to the big leagues Tuesday. While, to Suwinski’s credit, he had looked better with the Indians (slashing .250/.276/.429 at Triple-A compared to .177/.269/.319 through 50 games...
Pirates farm report for June 4, 2024: Altoona gives Bubba Chandler no run support
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 24-32) was clobbered by Columbus (Guardians), 15-4. Three Indianapolis pitchers – LHP Michael Plassmeyer (1-5, 9.00), RHP Isaac Mattson (5.40) and RHP Wily Peralta (6.61) – each gave up four runs. Peralta recorded only one out. C Jason Delay (.313) went 2 for 4 with a double and...
Jared Jones tosses 6 shutout innings, Jack Suwinski homers as Pirates blank Dodgers
Jared Jones was full of adrenaline and battling nerves, a Los Angeles kid facing the Dodgers for the first time in his major league career and a lineup that featured three MVPs at the top of the batting order. Jones came out throwing heat, as the rookie right-hander attacked Mookie...
‘Attack him quick’: Pirates pitchers weigh in on facing Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani
Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani occupies a prominent place within the Murderers’ Row of batters Los Angeles has assembled atop its lineup. Mookie Betts, Ohtani and Freddie Freeman (Los Angeles’ usual 1-2-3 hitters) have captured a combined four MVPs as well as numerous other accolades including All-Star appearances and Silver Sluggers....
Pirates recall C Henry Davis, INF Liover Peguero, OF Jack Suwinski in roster shakeup
The Pittsburgh Pirates shook up their lineup Tuesday with a series of roster moves that brought back a pair of big bats who struggled early this season and a veteran reliever to help the bullpen. The Pirates recalled catcher Henry Davis, infielder Liover Peguero and outfielder Jack Suwinski and selected...
