Kevin Gorman stories, Page 32
‘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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Pirates GM counting on internal options to provide improvement
Even though the Pittsburgh Pirates had a better record at this time last year — they were 29-27 on June 2, just a half-game back and days from moving into first place in the NL Central — general manager Ben Cherington made an interesting statement Sunday about this year’s team....
Rowdy Tellez snaps out of slump but Pirates strand 13 as Blue Jays clinch series win
Rowdy Tellez finally had the breakout game the Pittsburgh Pirates have been waiting for from the first baseman, with season highs of three hits and four RBIs against the team that drafted him. But it was another burly slugger who did the most damage against his former team, as designated...
Pirates rookie 2B Nick Gonzales has made immediate impact, thanks to revamped swing
When Nick Gonzales made his intention clear in spring training that he not only wanted to play in the major leagues for a long time but also to be an impact player, he still was viewed as a work in progress. After Gonzales batted .209 in 35 games during his...
Davis Schneider hits walk-off homer, Pirates lose 14-inning marathon
By the time the longest game of the season ended, the starting pitchers’ duel was but a distant memory and it had been eight-plus innings since the Pittsburgh Pirates got a hit. Davis Schneider hit a two-out, two-run home run off Kyle Nicolas to lift the Toronto Blue Jays to...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: 1979 World Series champion pitchers offer advice for Paul Skenes
Speaking with a pair of star pitchers from the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 1979 World Series champions, it was only natural the conversation turned toward their thoughts on rookie right-hander Paul Skenes. As a 6-foot-7 left-hander who tossed a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers as a 22-year-old in August 1976, John...
Paul Skenes strikes out 9, Jared Jones struggles as Pirates split doubleheader at Detroit
The Pittsburgh Pirates put their 22-year-old rookie right-handers on display in a doubleheader at the Detroit Tigers, and the results couldn’t have been more different for Jared Jones and Paul Skenes. Where Jones had the worst and shortest start of his career by allowing five earned runs in 41⁄3 innings...
Pirates-Tigers game postponed due to weather, will play straight doubleheader on Wednesday
Tuesday’s game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers was postponed because of the forecast of inclement weather. It has been rescheduled as a traditional doubleheader, with the first game beginning at 12:40 p.m. and the second game starting approximately 40 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1. Per the...
Pirates activate 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes, place C Joey Bart, LHP Martin Perez on injured list
The Pittsburgh Pirates made multiple roster moves before Tuesday’s game at Detroit, activating third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes from the 10-day injured list and selecting the contract of catcher Grant Koch. The Pirates also placed left-handed pitcher Martin Perez (groin) on the 15-day injured list and catcher Joey Bart (left thumb)...
Rookie right-handers Jared Jones, Paul Skenes shine in spotlight, drawing attention to Pirates
They look like baseball’s odd couple when standing side-by-side at their lockers in the Pittsburgh Pirates clubhouse: Jared Jones has flowing hair, a trimmed beard and appears a shade below his listed 6-foot-1, and Paul Skenes has a cropped cut, distinctive mustache and looks every bit of 6-6, 260 pounds....
Braves dominate Pirates, who lose catcher Joey Bart, pitcher Martin Perez to injuries
The Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t lose just a chance to sweep the Atlanta Braves. They lost their starting battery to injuries, as catcher Joey Bart and pitcher Martin Perez were removed early in the game. Where Bart (left thumb) left after the first inning, and Perez (left groin) didn’t return for...
Mitch Keller delivers quality start despite delays as Pirates beat Braves
Mitch Keller wasn’t watching the clock, but he was ready to warm up the minute it was determined the rain delay that interrupted the fifth inning would allow him to ample time to return to the mound. After a 30-minute break, the Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star right-hander continued a strong start...
‘Once a Buc, always a Buc’: Pirates turn back time to honor 1979 World Series champions
When Kent Tekulve wore his white Pittsburgh Pirates No. 27 jersey again, it was like he was transported in time. The 77-year-old submariner felt like he was 32 again, swapping stories with his old teammates as the Pirates celebrated the 45th anniversary of their 1979 World Series champions before Saturday’s...
Pirates 3rd baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes ‘relatively pain-free,’ resumes baseball activities
Ke’Bryan Hayes is showing “very encouraging” signs of recovering from the low back inflammation that has kept the Pittsburgh Pirates Gold Glove third baseman on the injured list. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Hayes has resumed all baseball activities, taking ground balls and batting practice before Saturday’s...
‘We feel urgency’: Pirates GM Ben Cherington expects improvement but isn’t ready to panic
That the Pittsburgh Pirates aren’t playing up to expectations has been the storyline of the season, one that on Friday afternoon prompted general manager Ben Cherington to give them an “incomplete” grade. Where Cherington touted a starting rotation that has delivered 25 quality starts through the first 51 games, he...
‘It’s not fun’: Booed by fans, Pirates first baseman Rowdy Tellez struggles to end slump
Rowdy Tellez slumped in his swivel chair in front of his locker, decompressing after another depressing performance during which the Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman was booed relentlessly again at PNC Park. After going 0 for 4 with two strikeouts in Thursday’s 7-6 loss to the San Francisco Giants, which dropped...
Pirates’ bullpen blows another big lead, as Giants rally with 5-run 8th to win series
The San Francisco Giants survived six innings against Paul Skenes and three home runs, including a grand slam by their former first-round pick Joey Bart, before getting to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ weakness. A beleaguered bullpen blew a big lead for the second consecutive game, surrendering five runs in the eighth...
Pirates blow 5-run lead as Giants rally to tie game in 9th, win in extra innings
When Bryan Reynolds hit a grand slam for a five-run lead in the fourth inning, the Pittsburgh Pirates had the comfort of a cushion only one night after requiring a four-run rally in the ninth to win in extra innings. This time, they reversed roles. The San Francisco Giants chipped...
Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz channels frustration into ‘unbelievable’ exit velocities
Oneil Cruz was ticked off about a fielding error on a fly ball that allowed two runs to score in the first inning, so the Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop took out his anger with swing after violent swing. Cruz made contact that left his teammates in disbelief, delivering the hardest hits...
Nick Gonzales delivers walk-off win after Pirates rally from 4-run deficit in 9th
The Pittsburgh Pirates staged an inspiring four-run rally against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game, so Nick Gonzales was looking to be aggressive in extra innings. The rookie second baseman didn’t hesitate to swing at the first pitch he saw, drilling lefty...
Sinkerballer Ryder Ryan making most of up-and-down nature of role in Pirates bullpen
After eight years in the minor leagues, Ryder Ryan has accepted the up-and-down nature of his role with the Pittsburgh Pirates. And that’s not just about being ready when called upon in the bullpen. After making the Opening Day roster, the 29-year-old right-handed reliever has twice been optioned to and...
