Pirates/MLB category, Page 261
Pirates offense thriving under hitting coaches Rick Eckstein, Jacob Cruz
On Tuesday afternoon, Clint Hurdle called Monday night’s 18-5 victory “one of the better days that a Pittsburgh lineup has had in its history.” It was immediately after the 23-barrage against the Chicago Cubs that the Pittsburgh Pirates manager was asked about the role his team’s hitting coaches played in...
Pirates’ Trevor Williams reflects on the death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs
Trevor Williams didn’t know Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs. But Skaggs’ death Monday at the age of 27 touched Williams deeply and reminded him to count his blessings. The Southlake (Texas) Police Department reported that Skaggs was found unresponsive in a hotel room Monday afternoon and was pronounced dead...
Pirates farm report for July 1, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 42-39) won 7-6 over Louisville (Reds). The Indians scored all seven runs in two consecutive innings with three scores in the seventh inning and four in the eighth. 1B Will Craig (.255) hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning and scored twice. LF Kevin Kramer (.272) went...
Josh Bell’s 3 home runs lead Pirates’ 18-5 win over Cubs
On a night when even Elias Diaz’s groundout traveled 108.2 mph, Clint Hurdle reflected on how the game of baseball has changed. And his thoughts went far beyond the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 18-5 victory Monday night against the National League- Central-leading Chicago Cubs. It’s how suddenly the baseball was jumping off...
Clint Hurdle content to just watch this year’s Home Run Derby
When Josh Bell steps into the batters’ box in Cleveland’s Progressive Field next Monday for the Home Run Derby, Clint Hurdle will only be a spectator, perhaps tucked into his couch in front of the TV at home. Which is just fine with the Pittsburgh Pirates’ manager, who threw nearly...
Pirates’ Adam Frazier takes advantage of Kevin Newman’s day off
Clint Hurdle didn’t write Kevin Newman’s name in the Pittsburgh Pirates starting lineup Monday night against the Chicago Cubs for the first time since June 9. Newman, whose Pirates modern-day rookie record 19-game hitting streak ended Sunday, was replaced at shortstop by Jung Ho Kang and in the leadoff spot...
Friendship guides Pirates’ Josh Bell in Home Run Derby pitcher choice
Josh Bell grew up playing baseball in the Dallas suburb of Irving, Texas, often competing against older kids because he was too good for those his own age. He was drafted in the second round in 2011, enticed to sign a big league contract when the Pittsburgh Pirates offered a...
Majority of readers support Pirates’ plan to extend netting at PNC Park
A majority of Tribune-Review readers think the Pittsburgh Pirates’ plan to extend the protective netting to the foul poles at PNC Park will make the environment at the games safer. But there is a chunk of readers who believe the onus is on fans to pay attention to the action...
Ex-Pirates slugger Bobby Bonilla made another $1.19 million
Today isn’t former Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Bobby Bonilla’s birthday, but just like every July 1 for the next 16 years, he has nearly 1.2 million reasons to celebrate. Thanks to a deferred contract put in place when Bonilla was released by the New York Mets following the 1999 season, Bonilla...
Tim Benz: History of Pirates trading closers has been spotty
If the Pirates are genuinely considering a trade of Felipe Vazquez, one thing is clear. The team better get its next closer in exchange for him. Otherwise, recent history shows us that the return for good closers the Pirates have previously had has been poor. To the credit of Neal...
John Steigerwald: Personality, not production, led to Phil Kessel, Antonio Brown trades
Two Pittsburgh teams have become a lot less entertaining since their seasons ended. Whether they both got better and closer to championships remains to be seen. The Phil Kessel trade looks like a good one for the Penguins. On paper. Kessel had to go. He wanted out, and he probably...
Pirates farm report for June 30, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 41-39) lost to Gwinnett (Braves), 5-3. RF Trayvon Robinson had three hits to raise his batting average to .320. 2B Jake Elmore (.354) was 2 for 5 with two runs. RHP Eduardo Vera (4-6, 5.60) started and took the loss, giving up three earned runs on five hits...
Pirates slugger Josh Bell gets All-Star nod; Felipe Vazquez not included
Josh Bell was named to his first All-Star Game as a reserve first baseman Sunday, but Felipe Vazquez, one of the National League’s most effective relievers, was not included on the list of pitchers initially named to the team. That could change, however, if an injury opens up a spot...
Brewers edge Pirates on Eric Thames’ 8th-inning HR
MILWAUKEE — Eric Thames is figuring out how to excel as a part-time player. Much to the dismay of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Thames homered leading off the eighth inning to lead the Milwaukee Brewers past the Pirates, 2-1, on Sunday. The Pirates dropped two of three in the series against...
Neal Huntington says Pirates’ Chris Archer will see doctors before next start
Chris Archer is tentatively scheduled to pitch Wednesday night against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park, but general manager Neal Huntington said Sunday that may depend on his visit with team doctors. Archer left the game Friday in Milwaukee after four innings with hip soreness. Huntington said the team would...
Pirates’ Josh Bell to participate in Home Run Derby
Josh Bell will be the fourth Pittsburgh Pirates player this century to participate in the Home Run Derby, the team confirmed Sunday morning. His 22 HR are the most by a N.L. switch hitter before the break since 2011.Now he's taking his talents to the #HRDerby ??@JBell_19 | #BELLieve pic.twitter.com/Zzxe3CvcT5—...
Brewers, Woodruff snap Pirates’ winning streak
MILWAUKEE —Brandon Woodruff said he hasn’t thought much about the possibility of playing in his first All-Star Game. The Milwaukee Brewers right-hander may want to start giving it some serious thought. Woodruff cruised to his National League-leading 10th win of the season, Eric Thames homered and tripled, and the Brewers...
Kevin Newman homers as Pirates rally past Brewers
MILWAUKEE — After back-to-back wins in which the Pittsburgh Pirates scored in double digits, they had to scratch out a victory against the Milwaukee Brewers. Kevin Newman homered and extended his hitting streak to 18 games, and the Pirates rallied with two late runs to beat the Brewers 3-2 on...
Pirates minor league report for June 28, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 41-37) fell to Gwinnett (Braves), 8-1. RHP Yefry Ramierez (1-3, 4.24) allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings in the loss. He struck out six, walked one and gave up four hits. CF Jason Martin (.232) drove in the Indians’ run with a double in the fifth inning....
Pirates Triple-A first baseman Will Craig named to All-Star Futures Game
Will Craig, who has created an interesting depth situation at first base for the Pittsburgh Pirates, was named to the National League roster for the All-Star Futures Game. The game will be July 7 — two days before the All-Star Game — at Progressive Field in Cleveland. One of 24...
Pirates minor league report for June 27, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 41-36) lost 3-2 to Columbus (Indians). RHP Alex McRae (5-4, 5.07) gave up three runs in 4 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts, two walks and six hits surrendered in the loss. 1B Eric Wood (.236) went 2 for 3 with a two-run double in the bottom of the...
Pirates’ Josh Bell loses NL All-Star election to Braves’ Freddie Freeman
Josh Bell will not be a part of the National League starting lineup in the All-Star Game after the Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman lost to the Atlanta Braves’ Freddie Freeman by 1.1% of the fan vote. Bell was in line to become the first Pirates player in four years named...
How do you feel about the Pirates’ decision to extend protective netting at PNC Park?
On Thursday, Pittsburgh Pirates President Frank Coonelly announced that the team plans to extend the netting at PNC Park to or near the foul poles. “Fan safety at PNC Park is of paramount importance,” Coonelly said in a statement. “We have once again engaged our netting experts to re-evaluate our...
Pirates club 5 homers, rout Astros againVideo
HOUSTON — Rap music spilled out of the doors of the Pittsburgh Pirates clubhouse, and muffled but joyful chants could be heard above the tunes. The Pirates took a minute to celebrate Thursday after a second straight rout handed the Houston Astros their first home series loss of the season....
Pirates plan to extend protective netting at PNC Park to foul poles
The Pittsburgh Pirates, who two years ago became one of the first teams to extend protecting netting to the ends of the dugouts, won’t wait for Major League Baseball to demand further safety for its fans. President Frank Coonelly said Thursday the team plans to extend the netting at PNC...
