Category: MLB

Brain games; Steelers want LB Bush to take mental leap

Brain games; Steelers want LB Bush to take mental leap
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers liked what they saw from inside linebacker Devin Bush in 2019. They believe they need to see him do more than just chase down opposing ballcarriers in Year 2. The Steelers are giving Bush more responsibility in terms of helping set up the defense between plays. Head coach Mike Tomlin says he wants to see Bush make “dramatic improvement” in terms of being a communicator. Bush led the team in tackles last season but says he is more comfortable with the defense now and feels the game is slowing down for him.

Bieber strikes out 11 as streaking Indians shut out Pirates

Bieber strikes out 11 as streaking Indians shut out Pirates
By JOHN PERROTTO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Unbeaten Shane Bieber racked up 11 more strikeouts and combined with four relievers on a seven-hitter Thursday night as the Cleveland Indians blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-0 to win their sixth in a row and sweep the three-game series. The right-hander scattered six hits and did not walk a batter in six innings before being lifted after his pitch count reached 99. Beiber raised his season strikeout total to a major league-best 65 in 40 2/3 innings, an average of 14.4 per nine innings. Oliver Perez, Nick Wittgren, James Karinchak and Brad Hand finished the shutout.

Civale’s complete-game gem lifts Indians past Pirates 6-1

Civale’s complete-game gem lifts Indians past Pirates 6-1
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Cleveland’s Aaron Civale struck out six and didn’t issue a walk while picking up the first complete game of his young career as the Indians pushed their winning streak to five with a 6-1 win over Pittsburgh. Civale allowed just five hits and narrowly missed a shutout when Pittsburgh pushed across a run with a sacrifice fly in the ninth. Carlos Santana hit his second three-run home run in as many games for the Indians. Domingo Santana added a bases-clearing triple as the Indians improved to a season-best six games over .500.

Reds, Pirates won’t play Monday, awaiting COVID test results

Reds, Pirates won’t play Monday, awaiting COVID test results
By JOE KAY AP Sports Writer
CINCINNATI (AP) — Reds players and staff were tested for COVID-19 again as Major League Baseball tried to determine if more than one Cincinnati player has been exposed to the coronavirus. The last two games of a series between the Reds and Pirates were postponed Saturday after the player tested positive. The Pirates worked out Sunday at Great American Ball Park and returned to Pittsburgh, where they will start a three-game series against the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday. The Reds expected to get results of their latest tests on Monday, when a decision will be made whether they can travel to Kansas City for a series that’s scheduled to begin Tuesday night.

Pirates connect 3 times off DeSclafani, roll 9-6 over Reds

Pirates connect 3 times off DeSclafani, roll 9-6 over Reds
By JOE KAY AP Sports Writer
CINCINNATI (AP) — Adam Frazier hit the first of three homers off Anthony DeSclafani, who hasn’t beaten Pittsburgh in his last seven tries, and the Pirates returned from a three-day layoff with a flourish, beating the Cincinnati Reds 9-6. Pittsburgh’s three-game series in St. Louis was called off because of the Cardinals’ COVID-19 outbreak. The Pirates showed no rust against a pitcher they’ve dominated. Frazier connected on DeSclafani’s second pitch, and the rout was on. DeSclafani hasn’t beaten the Pirates since June 17, 2018, at PNC Park. Since then, he’s 0-5 in seven starts — all Pirates wins.

Pirates opening day starter Musgrove heads to injured list

Pirates opening day starter Musgrove heads to injured list
PITTSBURGH (AP) — An unexpected break didn’t stop the steady stream of pitchers to the injured list for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team has placed opening day starter Joe Musgrove on the 10-day IL with what manager Derek Shelton called a right triceps issue. The Pirates scratched Musgrove before a start against Detroit with what Shelton called an ankle injury. Musgrove is 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA. He is the sixth Pittsburgh pitcher to be placed on the injured list this season. The list includes starter Mitch Keller and relievers Nick Burdi, Clay Holmes, Michael Feliz and Kyle Crick.

Francona returning to manage Indians after week of rest

Francona returning to manage Indians after week of rest
By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer
CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona will return to the team Tuesday after missing more than a week so he could rest while dealing with a gastrointestinal condition. The team says Francona will be in the dugout when the Indians open a two-game home series against the Chicago Cubs. Francona has missed Cleveland’s past eight games with the gastrointestinal issue, which has bothered him since spring training. The 61-year-old skipped the Indians’ weekend trip to Chicago to get extra rest. Francona is in his eighth season with Cleveland.

Pirates, Cards Series postponed due to Cards testing Positive for COVID-19

(Pittsburgh,Pa ) The Pittsburgh Pirates were scheduled to fly to St. Louis and take on the Cardinals in a three game series that was supposed to start Monday night, August 10, 2020. That series has now been postponed.

In a statement MLB said In light of the most recent positive test results, MLB and the Cards believe it is prudent to conduct additional testing while players and staff are quarantined before the team returns to play.  More information regarding the Cardinals’ resumption of play will be announced later in the week.

It was announced earlier in the day on Sunday that Monday’s game would be postponed and then major league baseball announced the postponement of the whole series on Sunday evening.

The Pirates will now resume play on Thursday night August 13th in Cincinnati @ 5:10 EST…Airtime is 4:45 on Beaver County Radio

 

Cabrera’s bat, Turnbull’s arm help Tigers sweep Pirates 2-1

Cabrera’s bat, Turnbull’s arm help Tigers sweep Pirates 2-1
By JOHN PERROTTO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Spencer Turnbull pitched seven strong innings and Miguel Cabrera singled home the tiebreaking run in the eighth as the Detroit Tigers edged the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 for a three-game series. Cabrera’s single to left-center field off Richard Rodriguez scored Jonathan Schoop, who was hit by a pitch with two outs and took second on a wild pitch. Detroit improved to 8-5, including 5-1 on the road, a year after having the worst record in the major leagues at 47-114. Pittsburgh lost for the 10th time in 11 games and fell to 3-14.

Dobnak shines in homecoming, Twins top reeling Pirates 5-2

Dobnak shines in homecoming, Twins top reeling Pirates 5-2
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Minnesota’s Randy Dobnak dominated in his homecoming, allowing three hits in six innings as the streaking Twins topped the reeling Pittsburgh Pirates 5-2. Dobnak, who grew up a half-hour south of PNC Park in the Pittsburgh suburb of South Park, didn’t walk a batter and struck out just one. The 25-year-old relied on a heavy fastball the Pirates pounded into the ground. Pittsburgh managed just four balls out of the infield against Dobnak, who dropped his ERA to 0.60. Marwin Gonzalez went 2 for 4 with two RBIs for the Twins. Max Kepler gave Minnesota some breathing room in the ninth with a three-run home run off Pirates’ reliever Dovydas Neverauskas.