Pirates/MLB category, Page 276
Pirates notebook: Rookie Bryan Reynolds proves his worth
Bryan Reynolds’ major league debut didn’t draw as much fanfare as teammate Cole Tucker’s, a former first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates. But he quickly has shown his worth. “One of them is like chasing a roadrunner,” manager Clint Hurdle said of Tucker. “The other guy is the sheepdog...
Mark Madden: Half-empty PNC Park tells real tale of Pirates this season
Pirates fans are going ga-ga over rookie shortstop Cole Tucker, and they should. Tucker marked his big league debut Saturday with a home run and a curtain call. Fellow call-up Bryan Reynolds got lost in the shuffle, and understandably so: Reynolds’ hair isn’t as cool as Tucker’s. But Reynolds went...
Pirates activate Gregory Polanco from IL, ready for season debut
Seven months removed from surgery, Gregory Polanco insisted his recovery isn’t just a little ahead of schedule. “A lot,” said Polanco, who was activated Monday from the injured list, clearing the way for the Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder to make his much-anticipated season debut. “I can’t describe how happy I...
Analysis: Pirates starters will need more help with big tests coming
Sure, the Pirates’ Sunday afternoon 3-2 loss at home to the Giants was disappointing. Especially when you consider how it happened. This is how the Giants clinched their second win of the trip. Nice recovery by Duggar and throw by Panik: pic.twitter.com/gFWOZNm1Tg— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) April 21, 2019 But the...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden talk Penguins elimination, Steelers draft, Pirates loss
In this week’s “Madden Monday,” Mark Madden of 105.9 the X joins me to look at what the Penguins may do this offseason. Are trades of Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Patric Hornqvist and Phil Kessel possible? We debate the future of head coach Mike Sullivan and whether he can get...
John Steigerwald: Late Pirates GM Pete Peterson might never be matched
You may not live to see anyone else do what Pete Peterson did. He’s the last Pittsburgh Pirates general manager to win a World Series. They’ve only won three in the past 94 years. Harding “Pete” Peterson died Tuesday at the age of 89, and the fact he was a...
Clint Hurdle’s decisions magnified in Pirates’ 3-2 loss to Giants
The Pittsburgh Pirates gave themselves little margin for error Sunday at PNC Park, producing only five hits in a 3-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants. But there was plenty of room for anyone in the crowd of 12,396 to second-guess the manager, making the Pirates’ first defeat after a...
Gregory Polanco close to returning, but arm strength will be an immediate issue
Gregory Polanco is making good progress from shoulder surgery and could come off the injury list during the current homestand, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. But the initial velocity on Polanco’s throws will be compromised, according to general manager Neal Huntington. “Teams are probably going to challenge him and...
Colin Moran scheduled to start at second base vs. Giants
Colin Moran learned early this season that the most important number in his phone belongs to the Wilson representative. Moran needs almost as many different gloves as there are positions on the field. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ utility man is scheduled to start at second base Sunday against the San Francisco...
Elias Diaz returns to Pirates after beating virus
With a forgettable spring behind him, catcher Elias Diaz was back in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ clubhouse Sunday when he was activated from the injured list. Diaz, who will be the chief backup to Francisco Cervelli, missed most of spring training and the first 18 games of this season with a...
Pirates farm report for games of April 20, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 9-6) lost 3-1 to Louisville (Reds) in 10 innings. RF Gregory Polanco (.300) had an RBI double in the sixth inning, giving him five RBIs in the five game with the Indians. RHP Jesus Liranzo (0-2, 9.00) took the loss after allowing the go-ahead runs in the 10th...
Kevin Gorman: Cole Tucker captures Pittsburgh’s heart, just when Pirates needed it
Hearts dropped when Starling Marte and Erik Gonzalez collided at full speed Friday night at PNC Park, a play that left both players injured and the Pittsburgh Pirates seriously short-handed. Their corresponding move had Cole Tucker’s chest pounding Saturday as the shortstop was ecstatic about joining outfielder Bryan Reynolds in...
Cole Tucker homers in debut, leads Pirates to 5th straight winVideo
Lightning struck twice Saturday night at PNC Park. The first time, it produced a crackle of light beyond the city skyline, a display so prominent it caused rookie shortstop Cole Tucker to step out of the batter’s box for the moment. A few seconds later, Tucker produced the second lightning...
Cole Tucker ‘stoked’ for chance to make debut with PiratesVideo
Cole Tucker is an admittedly excitable person, and his emotions were on overdrive Saturday afternoon as he prepared to make his major-league debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 22-year-old shortstop was running on little sleep when he arrived at PNC Park a few hours before the Pirates played the San...
Pirates promote Cole Tucker, Bryan Reynolds for game vs. Giants
The Pittsburgh Pirates weren’t expecting Cole Tucker to make his major-league debut in April after he had accumulated just 57 at-bats at Triple-A. The same philosophy applied to outfielder Bryan Reynolds, who had 49 at-bats above the Double-A level. Circumstances changed when the Pirates, already thin at shortstop and outfield...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Pirates beat Giants but endure more losses
The Pittsburgh Pirates returned to PNC Park on Friday with the best winning percentage in the National League, despite what looked like a Grapefruit League lineup because of injuries. The San Francisco Giants countered with Madison Bumgarner, who was so dominant here in the 2014 NL wild card that the...
Pirates banged-up late, but early offensive surge beats Giants
With the season’s second four-game winning streak in the books, starting pitchers who continue to string together zeros and now a defense that hasn’t made an error in more than a week, the first-place Pittsburgh Pirates are faced with this question: What new troubles lurk around the corner? That’s right....
3 Pirates leave Giants game with injuries
Three Pittsburgh Pirates players left the game against the San Francisco Giants with injuries Friday night at PNC Park. In the eighth, shortstop Erik Gonzalez and center fielder Starling Marte collided trying to run down a bloop single by Yangervis Solarte. Both Pirates players were on the ground for several...
Pirates notebook: Clint Hurdle says Josh Bell’s start rooted in thoughtful approach
During the 2017 season, Josh Bell set a National League record for most home runs by a switch-hitting rookie (26), led NL first-year players in hits (140) and tied for first in doubles (26). Yet Clint Hurdle suggested Bell might have gained more valuable experience last year when he hit...
In the Major Leagues, Pirates’ Nick Burdi more than just a ‘Wild Thing’
When Nick Burdi’s ophthalmologist told him he needed to correct the vision in his right eye, he didn’t choose black-rimmed glasses for any reason other than personal convenience. “I had trouble putting (contacts) in and out,” the Pittsburgh Pirates’ rookie relief pitcher said. “I didn’t want to deal with it...
Fantasy sports podcast: Tracking success of Josh Bell, Pirates pitchers
It’s our weekly fantasy sports podcast with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire. We have some good vibes from Pirates 1B Josh Bell and the team’s starting pitchers. Impact closers are a topic du jour for fantasy owners. Shane Greene of the Tigers and Kirby Yates of the Padres are leading the...
Pirates farm report for games of April 18, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 9-4) was postponed because of rain in their series finale against visiting Toledo (Tigers). RHP Eduardo Vera (0-0, 3.27) is expected to be the Indians’ starting pitcher in their series opener Friday night against Louisville (Reds). Next: Friday vs. Louisville, 7:15 p.m. ALTOONA (Double-A, 6-8) lost 8-4 against...
Pirates showing positive signs as they move into first place
If baseball’s regular season ended Thursday, the Pittsburgh Pirates would be a playoff team, and, of course, it doesn’t matter. It’s true the Pirates have the fourth-best record in MLB (10-6) and are in first place in the National League Central, percentage points ahead of the Miilwaukee Brewers, who fell...
Pirates top Tigers in 10 innings again
DETROIT — At this point, Clint Hurdle is probably used to managing for more than nine innings. Colin Moran hit an RBI single in the top of the 10th, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Detroit Tigers 3-2 on Wednesday night. It was the second straight night Hurdle’s Pirates beat...
Pirates minor leaguer suspended 30 games for domestic violence
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop prospect Ji-Hwan Bae was suspended for 30 games for violating minor league baseball’s domestic violence policy. Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said the suspension will start Thursday. Bae agreed to a minor league contract in March 2018 for a $1.2 million signing bonus. He was accused by a...
