Kevin Gorman stories, Page 33
‘Everybody will get an extra day’: With Paul Skenes, Pirates switch to 6-man starting rotation
Before the Pittsburgh Pirates promoted Paul Skenes, general manager Ben Cherington said they considered giving the 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick one more start at Triple-A Indianapolis. Instead, the Pirates came to the conclusion that Skenes was ready to help them win games in the major leagues — even...
Cubs score 3 runs in extra innings to win series, as Pirates leave bases loaded in 9th
When the Pittsburgh Pirates had the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning in a tied game against the Chicago Cubs, it was their chance to beat an NL Central nemesis. That the Pirates came away empty proved to be a bad omen, even though...
Paul Skenes brings triple-digit heat, fans to their feet with 7 strikeouts in Pirates debut
Paul Skenes already topped triple digits with his four-seam fastball six times in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs when the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie right-hander brought fans to their feet at PNC Park. After the 6-foot-6, 260-pounder fired an 0-2 fastball to Cody Bellinger, the crowd was captivated. That...
Pirates designate RHP Roansy Contreras, place 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes on IL, recall Alika Williams
The promotion of Paul Skenes to the Pittsburgh Pirates caused a chain reaction that turned one of Ben Cherington’s biggest trades into a bust as right-hander Roansy Contreras was designated for assignment. Contreras was the centerpiece of the four-player return in the trade that sent pitcher Jameson Taillon, the No....
Cody Bellinger’s 4-hit game leads Cubs past Pirates as offense continues to struggle
The Pittsburgh Pirates have avoided some of the game’s biggest stars because of injuries, which sidelined the likes of Christian Yelich, Kris Bryant, Mike Trout and Dansby Swanson. Cody Bellinger, however, returned in time to torture the Pirates. After missing two weeks with a fractured rib cage, the Chicago Cubs...
Pirates recall 2B Nick Gonzales, option INF Alika Williams to Triple-A Indianapolis
While the attention was on the arrival of 2023 No. 1 overall pick Paul Skenes, it was another former first-round pick that was added to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ active roster. The Pirates recalled Nick Gonzales from Triple-A Indianapolis, and manager Derek Shelton said the hot-hitting second baseman would be in...
Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes has high expectations for his major-league debut
Paul Skenes had been waiting patiently for the Pittsburgh Pirates to promote him to the major leagues, so the 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick was surprised to be sleeping when the call finally came. After Skenes threw a bullpen session Wednesday morning before Triple-A Indianapolis’ game, he went home...
Pickoffs a pick-me-up for Pirates’ Aroldis Chapman, as lefty reliever closes in on record
Even as Aroldis Chapman closes in on becoming the all-time leader in strikeouts by a left-handed reliever, the Pittsburgh Pirates were worried about opponents taking free bases against him. Chapman’s 40.7% strikeout rate was countered by his 25.9% walk rate and compounded by runners taking liberties by stealing five bases...
Pirates’ promotion of Paul Skenes evokes memories of Stephen Strasburg’s debut
When searching for comparisons to Paul Skenes and his 10-month path from being selected with the No. 1 overall pick to making his first start in the major leagues, one name rings most prominent. Where the Pittsburgh Pirates are pumped for the first MLB start by Skenes against the Chicago...
Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes scheduled to make MLB debut Saturday against Cubs
In what is expected to be the most anticipated debut by a starting pitcher since Stephen Strasburg in 2010, the Pittsburgh Pirates are promoting Paul Skenes to the major leagues, a source confirmed to TribLive. The 21-year-old right-hander, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft and regarded...
Oneil Cruz’s left ankle ‘strong and stable,’ as Pirates shortstop returns to starting lineup
Oneil Cruz has given the Pittsburgh Pirates several scares by tweaking the left ankle that required surgery last season, yet director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk considers it more of an issue of treatment. After his latest sign of discomfort on a single to right in the sixth inning Monday...
Angels pound out 15 hits, hand Pirates their most lopsided loss of season
Quinn Priester has a tendency to pitch to contact, as the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander was getting ground balls at a 68.5% rate. The Los Angeles Angels put the ball in the air Tuesday night, pounding Priester for seven of their 15 hits, including a three-run home run by Kevin Pillar....
Mitch Keller tosses complete game, Edward Olivares hits grand slam as Pirates top Angels
Mitch Keller was soaked with sweat from the heat and humidity and just seven pitches shy of reaching 100, but the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander made it clear that he wanted the ball for the ninth inning. “Just empty the tank,” Keller said. “They’re giving me the opportunity, just give it...
After being target of fan frustration, Pirates 1B Rowdy Tellez starting to turn it around at plate
Rowdy Tellez understood the optics of getting caught admiring his work when his 100.6-mph line drive to right field ricocheted off the top of the Clemente Wall and bounced back into the outfield. In an instant, Tellez went from watching what he thought was a home run to sprinting and...
‘Looking out for us’: Pirates deliberate in development of Jared Jones, Paul Skenes
Yasmani Grandal has had a front-row seat for two of the featured attractions in baseball, starting behind the plate for Paul Skenes at Triple-A Indianapolis and Jared Jones for the Pittsburgh Pirates. In the span of five days, the two-time All-Star catcher was witness to why they are more than...
Paul Skenes surrenders 1st homer as a pro, as Pirates top prospect starts on 4 days of rest
The Pittsburgh Pirates wanted to see top prospect Paul Skenes check off an important box in his development by having the 6-foot-6½-inch right-hander make his first start on four days of rest. Skenes checked off another by surrendering the first home run of his professional career, as Buffalo’s Will Robertson...
Jared Jones sizzles, Jack Suwinski delivers walk-off single as Pirates beat Rockies
As Jared Jones walked off the field in the seventh inning, a chorus of cheers erupted from the rain-drenched fans in honor of the best start yet by the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie right-hander. Jones allowed only one hit in seven scoreless innings while tying his career best with 10 strikeouts...
After adjustment period, Pirates counting on improved outfield with Michael A. Taylor in CF
When the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Michael A. Taylor, it was with the intention of adding a pure center fielder with a Gold Glove on his resume to improve their outfield defense. What they got for the first eight games of the season was a player whose bat was better than...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: After bottoming out in the Bay, Pirates need to find answers fast
The Pittsburgh Pirates bottomed out in the Bay, especially when they had chances to cash in. If the Pirates (14-18) losing 13 of their past 16 games to complete a freefall from first place in the NL Central to the basement of division standings in a two-week stretch isn’t alarming,...
Pirates fail to deliver with runners in scoring position in shutout loss as A’s sweep series
The Pittsburgh Pirates ended their West Coast trip to the Bay Area the same way they started it: by getting shut out. The Oakland Athletics got an early lead on solo home runs from Abraham Toro and Tyler Nevin and cruised to a 4-0 win Wednesday afternoon to sweep the...
‘The confidence is there’: Kyle Nicolas looks like a different pitcher in return to Pirates’ bullpen
When Kyle Nicolas switched from starter to reliever last season, Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said the right-hander “looked like a different pitcher.” Since getting shelled for six runs on three hits — including a grand slam — in his major-league debut at the Chicago Cubs last Sept. 19,...
Pirates offense manages a season-low 2 hits in loss to A’s to drop 2 games below .500
When the Pittsburgh Pirates got a leadoff single by Ke’Bryan Hayes then loaded the bases in the first inning, it looked like a promising start. They wouldn’t get another hit until the ninth inning. The Pirates took their offensive ineptitude to another level, held to a season-low two hits in...
‘He’s not scared’: Pirates RHP Hunter Stratton checks another box by earning 1st MLB win
The firsts came in waves so fast that Hunter Stratton almost had to pinch himself while standing at his locker in the home clubhouse at PNC Park, recounting his amazement at his string of monumental moments. On the day his first child was due, the right-handed reliever learned that he...
Bryan Reynolds, Ke’Bryan Hayes hit back-to-back homers in 10th as Pirates top Giants
The Pittsburgh Pirates got back-to-back home runs from Bryan Reynolds and Ke’Bryan Hayes for a three-run lead in the top of the 10th inning, then held their breath to see whether their closer could hold it. After giving up a two-run homer, David Bednar recorded three strikeouts to help the...
Position of paradox: Pirates have decisions to make at catcher when Yasmani Grandal returns
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...
