Pirates/MLB category, Page 89
Memories of former Pirates pitcher Tim Wakefield shared by GM Ben Cherington and others
When Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Kent Tekulve was inducted into the franchise’s Hall of Fame this summer, we posted a story at “Breakfast With Benz” about how every young Pirates fan in the late 1970s and early ’80s tried to mimic his trademark submarine delivery. I’m old enough to admit...
‘We weren’t good enough’: Pirates GM focuses on improvement in ’24 after sobering season
As Ben Cherington discussed the improvement by the Pittsburgh Pirates in a season with a 14-game jump in the win column, he couldn’t help but share he’s “not satisfied” and already starting to concentrate on the upgrades necessary to be a contender next season. The Pirates general manager spent nearly...
‘That’s where we want to be’: After watching opponents clinch, Pirates eye playoff run in ’24
Watching two teams celebrate clinching NL wild-card playoff berths against them in the final week of the season — the Phillies last Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia and the Miami Marlins on Saturday night at PNC Park — left a lasting impression on the Pittsburgh Pirates. On the...
Pirates shut out Marlins in season finale to finish with 14-game improvement
A season that started with a blackout in the home opener ended with a shutout in the season finale. The Pittsburgh Pirates started the season the way they ended it, by celebrating the 10th anniversary of their NL wild-card win over the Cincinnati Reds with a victory. Miguel Andujar broke...
Josh Bell’s 3 RBIs lead Marlins past Pirates to clinch NL wild card playoff berth
The Pittsburgh Pirates might not be a good team by one manager’s definition, but they will spend the postseason in the same position as David Ross and the Chicago Cubs. On the outside looking in. Josh Bell continued to crush his former team, turning in a three-RBI performance to push...
Pirates announce return of PiratesFest in January after 3-year hiatus
PiratesFest is making its return next year. The Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday announced the fan-oriented offseason event — which features Pirates players, alumni, coaches, broadcasters and mascots — will return for the first time since 2019 on Jan. 6, 2024, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. PiratesFest will be...
Ke’Bryan Hayes voted Pirates MVP, Mitch Keller top pitcher by BBWAA Pittsburgh chapter
Ke’Bryan Hayes has shown his value to the Pittsburgh Pirates with his ability to hit to all fields and Gold Glove-worthy play at third base this season, but neither attribute compared to his absence. Mitch Keller emerged as the anchor of the starting rotation, earning his first All-Star appearance and...
Pirates blow 3-run lead as Marlins rally with 4-run 8th to inch closer to playoff berth
The Miami Marlins came to PNC Park with hopes of finding playable field conditions and the chance of clinching a playoff spot in the final weekend of the season. For seven innings, they couldn’t solve the Pittsburgh Pirates’ bullpen. Osvaldo Bido, Hunter Stratton and Kyle Nicolas tossed two scoreless innings...
Pirates rookie Jared Triolo posting eye-popping statistics since switching to a new stance
In a season of firsts, Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Jared Triolo has made one seamless transition after another, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that his first time batting first in the order went just as smooth. Triolo made another positive impression by going 2 for 3 and reaching base...
Jared Triolo drives in a pair as Pirates avoid sweep in Philadelphia
The first two games of their penultimate series of the 2023 season resulted in one-run losses for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Facing off against their cross-state rival Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, the Pirates fell in 10 innings Tuesday and blew a five-run lead Wednesday. On Thursday, the Pirates (75-84)...
Phillies hit 3 homers to rally from 5-run deficit, hand Pirates 3rd consecutive loss
The Pittsburgh Pirates aren’t known as a power-hitting team but had homered in nine consecutive games, a streak that wasn’t just snapped against the Philadelphia Phillies. It was paid back, as the Phillies rallied from a five-run deficit on the strength of three home runs. Garrett Stubbs sparked the comeback...
Mitch Keller caps career year by setting Pirates record for strikeouts by right-handed pitcher
Mitch Keller was flirting with a no-hitter when he got Nick Castellanos looking at a called third strike to end the fifth inning for a strikeout that separated him from all other Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitchers. With his 210th strikeout, Keller passed A.J. Burnett for the most strikeouts in a...
Johan Rojas delivers RBI single in 10th as Phillies beat Pirates to clinch playoff berth
The Philadelphia Phillies couldn’t buy a hit through the first five innings but ended up punching their ticket to the postseason in extra innings. Johan Rojas delivered a one-out RBI single off All-Star closer David Bednar to score automatic runner Cristian Pache in the 10th inning to lift the Phillies...
Pirates recall infielder Nick Gonzales, option SS Alika Williams
After a strong September at Triple-A Indianapolis, middle infielder Nick Gonzales will finish the season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates recalled Gonzales, their 2020 first-round pick, Tuesday before the start of their three-game series at the Philadelphia Phillies. To make room on the active roster, they optioned shortstop Alika...
First Call: Steelers’ next opponent pulls off a road upset; James Conner, Josh Dobbs shine as Cardinals stun Cowboys
Monday’s “First Call” takes a look at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ next opponent. We also examine how a pair of former Steelers led the Arizona Cardinals to a big upset. A wrestling superstar almost won big on a Steelers bet. A former Pirate had a nice afternoon. And the Pitt Panthers...
‘We have to be optimistic’: Pirates GM eyes playoff pursuit in ’24, focuses on full season
When Ben Cherington was asked Sunday on his weekly radio show if the Pittsburgh Pirates can contend in 2024, the fourth-year general manager was cautiously optimistic. “You have to believe that, right? Our job is to believe that we can do that,” Cherington said on 93.7 FM. “We have to...
Pirates farm report for Sept. 24, 2023: Ryan Vilade smacks 4 hits as Indy ends season with victory
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 70-78) defeated Rochester (Nationals), 5-1, in the season finale. RF Ryan Vilade (.270) was 4 for 4 with an RBI. LF Joe Perez (.257) hit a two-run homer. 2B Vinny Capra (.289) was 2 for 4 with an RBI. SS Nick Gonzalez (.281) doubled in a run. 3B/P...
TJ Friedl powers Reds past Pirates, who clinch 5th consecutive losing season
As much as the Pittsburgh Pirates are relishing their role as playoff spoiler, they wanted nothing more than a series sweep in Cincinnati. For five innings, it looked like they were on their way as Quinn Priester kept the Reds without a hit or a run. But TJ Friedl hit...
Pirates recall RHP Osvaldo Bido, place LHP Bailey Falter on IL, RHP Cody Bolton on taxi squad
After going deep into their bullpen the past two games, the Pittsburgh Pirates added pitching depth Sunday by recalling right-hander Osvaldo Bido from Triple-A Indianapolis. It will be the third stint with the Pirates this season for Bido, who is 2-5 with a 6.36 ERA and 1.54 WHIP while averaging...
Pirates rally from 9-run deficit for incredible comeback win over Reds
On the day they were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, the Pittsburgh Pirates pulled off the greatest comeback in franchise history. The Pirates rallied from a nine-run deficit with an offensive outburst, then had to withstand the theatrics of the crowd of 29,680 at Great American Ball Park on its...
Pirates farm report for Sept. 23, 2023: Despite Vinny Capra’s Little League home run, Indy falls to RochesterVideo
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 69-78) lost to Rochester (Nationals), 7-4, in 11 innings. SS Vinny Capra (.285) tied the game in the bottom of the ninth on a Little League home run. He grounded into a force out, but a throwing error allowed him to reach second and then take third, and...
Cubs manager David Ross texts Pirates’ Derek Shelton about comments
CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs manager David Ross reached out to Derek Shelton on Friday night after the Pittsburgh Pirates skipper took exception to Ross’ description of the Pirates. The contending Cubs dropped two of three in a series against the Pirates this week. Following the Pirates’ 8-6 win Thursday at...
Pirates farm report for Sept. 22, 2023: Nick Gonzales homers, Indy rallies for win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 69-77) scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth to beat Rochester (Nationals), 8-7. SS Chris Owings (.241) hit a triple with the bases loaded to cap the Indy rally. 2B Nick Gonzales (.283) went 2 for 5 with his 14th home run. LF Joe Perez (.267)...
Pirates prevail in Cincinnati, win 3rd straight game
The Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds entered Friday night’s game at Great American Ball Park with incompatible objectives. Cincinnati sought to avoid anything similar to what happened to the Cubs over the last several days, when the Pirates marched into Chicago and took two of a three-game series, dealing a...
Pirates place reliever Colin Holderman on injured list, recall Dauri Moreta from Triple-A
The Pittsburgh Pirates made a bullpen swap Friday afternoon ahead of their game in Cincinnati vs. the Reds, placing righty reliever Colin Holderman (right thumb sprain) on the 15-day injured list while recalling fellow right-hander Dauri Moreta from Triple-A Indianapolis. Holderman (0-3, 3.86 ERA) had previously spent time on the...
