Pirates/MLB category, Page 77
Mark Madden: Booing David Bednar shows fair-weather Pirates fans don’t know how to support a good team
David Bednar should not be relieved of his duties as Pittsburgh Pirates closer after blowing three saves in the season’s early going. Bednar led the National League in saves with 39 last season and had an ERA of 2.00. That’s a big sample. This year, so far, is a small...
Tim Benz: Booing David Bednar doesn’t matter. How he is pitching, and how the Pirates fix him, does
Full marks to new Pittsburgh Pirate Rowdy Tellez. That was one heckuva media redirect that he orchestrated in front of David Bednar’s locker Tuesday afternoon. Before Bednar could speak with reporters in the wake of his third blown save in four opportunities this year, Tellez stepped in front of the...
Pirates rotation an early surprise, easing concerns with 6 consecutive quality starts
The Pittsburgh Pirates entered the offseason with one healthy, proven starting pitcher, All-Star Mitch Keller, so addressing the rotation was a top priority. General manager Ben Cherington’s efforts did little to inspire the fanbase. The only additions were a pair of veteran left-handers coming off subpar seasons, as the Pirates...
Pirates farm report for April 9, 2024: Aaron Shackelford homers twice in Altoona walk-off win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 5-5) lost 6-5 to Toledo (Tigers). LHP Michael Plassmeyer (0-1, 4.50) went five innings and gave up five runs, two walks and two home runs and struck out four in the loss. RHP Chris Gau (9.00) allowed a run and two walks in an inning of relief. Carmen...
Pirates option reliever Ryder Ryan to Triple-A
The Pirates optioned right-handed reliever Ryder Ryan to Triple-A Indianapolis after Tuesday’s loss to the Detroit Tigers and will make a corresponding move before Thursday’s game at the Philadelphia Phillies. It’s expected to be righty reliever Colin Holderman, another sinkerballer who is on the taxi squad after a stint on...
All-Star closer David Bednar blows save as Tigers rally past Pirates with 4 runs in 9th
David Bednar lowered his head as he walked off the mound at PNC Park, hearing the sound of boos from Pittsburgh Pirates fans after blowing a two-run lead by surrendering four runs in the ninth inning. The Pirates got an eight-inning quality start from left-hander Martin Perez and two home...
Pirates injury report: Catcher an issue, as Jason Delay shut down from baseball activities
With three catchers out with injuries, the position is not only the walking wounded for the Pittsburgh Pirates but one with some uncertainty around the timetable for their return. With Yasmani Grandal (left plantar fasciitis) and Jason Delay (right knee inflammation) on the 10-day injured list and Endy Rodriguez out...
First Call: Steelers interviewing top-notch offensive tackle before draft; huge night for Penguins’ playoff hopes
Tuesday’s “First Call” takes a look at a high-profile offensive lineman on the Steelers’ draft board. A new Steelers defensive lineman discusses the reason why he chose Pittsburgh in free agency. We also examine the Pirates’ early offensive prowess and how the Penguins’ playoff prospects could be impacted by many...
Tim Benz: It’s time to put Barry Bonds in the Pirates Hall of Fame
Later this month, the Pittsburgh Pirates are expected to release the names of the franchise’s 2024 Hall of Fame inductees. It would be wise to include Barry Bonds’ name on that list. They should also include plans to retire his No. 24. People who have read my posts or listened...
Bryan Reynolds becomes 25th player in Pirates history to hit 100 home runs
Bryan Reynolds has been aware since last season that he was approaching his 100th career home run, so the Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder was just waiting for the right pitch. Although the majority of his homers have come against right-handed pitchers, Reynolds was batting .333 (5 for 15) against lefties this...
Mitch Keller strikes out 9, Bryan Reynolds hits 100th homer as Pirates beat Tigers
Mitch Keller found that watching the solar eclipse before his start Monday took his mind off baseball. Perhaps that helped the Pittsburgh Pirates ace relax after he walked two of the first three batters he faced. After giving up a run in the first inning, Keller turned it around by...
‘Pretty neat to see’: Pirates watch solar eclipse at PNC Park before game against Tigers
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton turned his special glasses around, looking through them inside out as he stood on the infield grass and stared skyward at the solar eclipse Monday afternoon at PNC Park. Pirates players, coaches and front office personnel watched the eclipse in wonder before batting practice before...
Tim Benz: Improved lineup depth a big help, but Pirates star hitters are still the key
There has been a lot of conversation about how much the Pittsburgh Pirates’ lineup has been lengthened this year. It’s certainly a big reason why the franchise is off to an 8-2 start to open 2024. The Pirates are fourth in Major League Baseball with 59 runs. The team’s on-base...
‘Outstanding debut’: Joey Bart makes powerful impression on Pirates with homer, pitch calling
Joey Bart wanted to play free in his Pittsburgh Pirates debut, not worrying about the burden of being a high draft pick or the pressure that comes with being considered a successor to a superstar. From his first swing, Bart made a powerful impact on his new team. The 6-foot-2,...
Pirates ‘can’t wait’ to see solar eclipse before batting practice Monday at PNC Park
Bailey Falter was unaware of the rare celestial event that will occur Monday afternoon until his wife mentioned over the weekend that the Pittsburgh Pirates will be at PNC Park during the solar eclipse. “I had no idea that was happening. I’ll be front and center watching it then, for...
Pirates farm report for April 7, 2024: Anthony Solometo tosses 4 scoreless innings in Curve loss
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 5-4) dropped a 3-2 decision to Memphis (Cardinals). SS/2B Nick Gonzales (.405) was 3 for 4 with a double and walk. LF Canaan Smith-Njigba (.231) was 2 for 3. 2B/SS Liover Peguero (.371) and 1B/RF Matt Gorski (.227) each knocked in a run. LHP Cam Alldred (3.86) started...
Pirates rally for walk-off win against Orioles on errant throw to win 3-game series
The Pittsburgh Pirates had the bases loaded but were trailing by a run when Edward Olivares hit a grounder up the middle in the bottom of the ninth inning. As he sprinted down the first-base line, Olivares saw Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson make a diving stop. That only made...
Pirates GM Ben Cherington discusses fastballs, catching situation
Ben Cherington spent most of his weekly radio show talking fastballs — while also mentioning an opposing sweeper — and how he has dealt with a catching situation riddled with injuries. The Pittsburgh Pirates general manager focused his show Sunday on flagship 93.7 FM on the one-hit outing by left-hander...
Pirates place LHP Ryan Borucki on 15-day IL, recall lefty reliever Jose Hernandez to bullpen
Ryan Borucki has become a dependable left-handed reliever for the Pittsburgh Pirates but his left triceps was bothering him to the point that he addressed it with manager Derek Shelton and the team’s trainers. “I wasn’t bouncing back the way I wanted to since the first series in Miami,” Borucki...
Pirates farm report for April 6, 2024: Lonnie White Jr., Hudson Head homer in dramatic Greensboro win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 5-3) swept a doubleheader from Memphis (Cardinals ). In the first game, a 5-4 Indy win, RHP Quinn Priester (2.79) started and went four innings, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks in four innings. He fanned three. RHP Wily Peralta (1-0, 15.75) gave up two...
Oneil Cruz single in 11th lifts Pirates to walk-off win over Orioles
When Oneil Cruz came to bat in the bottom of the 11th inning, the Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop wasn’t worried about the extra-inning stakes in a tied game against the Baltimore Orioles. With automatic runner Henry Davis on second base, Cruz simply wanted to put the ball in play. Jonathan Heasley...
Pirates’ David Bednar featured on I.C. Light can
I.C. Light drinkers may be met with a familiar face the next time they crack a cold one after Pittsburgh Brewing Co. unveiled a new can. The limited edition I.C. Light cans depict David Bednar, Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher and two-time MLB All-Star, winding up for a throw. The Mars...
Bottom of batting order productive for Pirates through season’s 1st weekVideo
Just over a week into the 2024 campaign, the Pittsburgh Pirates have benefited from the presence of arguably the most dynamic No. 9 hitter in baseball. It’s been a small sample size, to be sure, but Michael A. Taylor has begun the season on a torrid note, batting .480 with...
Pirates farm report for April 5, 2024: Paul Skenes throws 3 more dominant innings for Indy
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 3-3) beat Memphis (Cardinals ), 8-3, in Paul Skenes’ second Triple-A start. Skenes (0.00) allowed one hit – a single to 1B Luken Baker to lead off the second – and one walk while striking out six in three scoreless innings. LHP Eric Lauer (1-0, 4.05) followed and...
Tim Benz: As expectations rise for Pirates roster, they increase for manager Derek Shelton, as well
Before Friday’s home opener at PNC Park, former Pittsburgh Pirates manager Jim Leyland threw out the ceremonial first pitch to current manager Derek Shelton. In advance of the pregame festivities, both men discussed their strong relationship. From Leyland reaching out to Shelton when he got the job to their regular...
