Let's Go Bucs! A Pittsburgh Pirates Rebuild

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[TribeTown]

2028 AWARDS

AL Hitting Champion – Adley Rutchman (Baltimore) – .333, 31, 110.

NL Hitting Champion – Juan Soto (Washington) – .328, 34, 103.

AL Reliever of the Year – Bryce Eldridge (Minnesota) – 7-5, 21 Saves, 2.62.

NL Reliever of the Year – Thomas White (Milwaukee) – 7-4, 4 Saves, 1.74.

AL Rookie of the Year – RF Alejandro Avalos (Baltimore) – .270, 42, 102.

NL Rookie of the Year – LF Jonathan Slocum (Philadelphia) – .289, 33, 94.

AL Manager of the Year – Kyle Hoppy (Cleveland)

AL Cy Young Award – Adam Macko (Seattle) – 18-3, 2.58.

NL Cy Young Award – Trevor Rogers (Chicago) – 15-11, 3.60.

AL MVP – George Valera (Cleveland) – .274, 61, 151.

NL MVP – Juan Soto (Washington) – .318, 34, 103.


TEAM AWARDS

Corbin Carroll won a Great Glove award.

Masayoshi Oshima won the Platinum Stick award for 3B (.269, 39, 106, 5.1 WAR)

Manager of the Year

OFF SEASON PART 1

Bob Nutting has set a budget of $170,000,000 for next season, with a player payroll of $140,000,000. Our current projected payroll sits a just under $140,000,000.

October 1 – Detroit signed P Tyler Wells to a 2 year contract extension.

October 4 &- Boston signed P Trevor May to a 2 year contract extension.

October 27 – The Pirates traded Starlin Aguilar and Javier Attencio to the Dodgers, receiving CF Sean Pickle in return. Pickle, 25, signed a minor league contract out of an independent league in December 2027. He started the season at AA, was promoted to AAA, and played 70 games with the Dodgers, batting .259 with 6 HR and 31 RBIs. He is an elite defender in CF but struggles with mechanical issues at the plate.

October 30 – The Pirates traded Enrique Bradford to Arizona in exchange for P William Ross and P Ernesto Bolanos. Ross has average stuff and is viewed as a back of the rotation option or possibly a long reliever. Bolanos has fringy stuff but excellent control. He is projected to be a bullpen option down the road.

In other moves, the Pirates DFA’d 2B Kyren Paris & RP DeMarcus Evans. Moving on from Bradford, Paris, and Evans will clear about $17,000,000 from the books as the front office gears up to make more moves this off season.

November 3 – The Pirates signed several players to 1 year contracts, avoiding arbitration.

Nick Robertson – $2,700,000
Connor Prielipp – $1,020,000
Quinn Priester – $7,500,000
Jake Eder – $2,800,000
Jake Weisenberger – $1,400,000
Yerry De Los Santos – $7,100,000
Diego Cartaya – $4,880,000

November 6 – The Pirates traded T. J. White to Houston in exchange for P Steven Castillo. Castillo is a 24 year-old reliever with a good arm who may develop into a late-inning reliever.

November 9 – Cleveland signed Andres Gimenez to a 7 year, $175,000,000 contract extension.

November 10 – The Pirates DFA’d Manuel Beltre, Youichirou Sugiyama, Hendry Mendez, and Clayton Hodges.

November 17 – The Pirates went to arbitration with 3 players:
Carter Smith – awarded $1,701,000
Henry Davis – awarded $1,750,000
Tyler Freeman – awarded $5,796,000

November 23 – Milwaukee re-signed Tyler Glasnow to a 3 year contract worth $18,000,000 per year.

November 26 – Baltimore acquired Ryan Piepot from Colorado in exchange for a minor league outfielder.

November 28 – Pittsburgh signed P Kyozo Nishada to a 1 year, $1,400,000 contract. Nishada pitched for St. Louis in 2026 and 2027, and with Baltimore in 2028. The 34 year old has pitched mostly in relief (he had 30 saves in 2026) but will pitch as a starter for the Pirates.

December 2 – Free agent RP David Bednar signed with Milwaukee. Free agent RP David Minter re-signed with the Braves for 2 years.

December 3 – Walker Buehler signed with the Dodgers on a 4 year, $96,000,000 contract.

December 4 – DeMarcus Evans signed a 3 year, $11,760,000 contract with the Yankees. The Red Sox signed marquee free agent SP Grayson Rodriguez on a 4 year contract worth $21,050,000 per year. Byron Buxton signed a 4 year deal with the Dodgers. Former Pirate Pablo Lopez signed a 1 year deal with the Phillies.

December 5 – The Pirates signed P Drew Rasmussen to a 1 year, $5,500,000 deal. He missed most of last season with Tampa Bay with an arthritic elbow. He has been a starter through most of his career, but may pitch out of the bullpen with Pittsburgh.

December 5 – The Phillies signed free agent 1B Nick Pratto (who has averaged 40 home runs over the past 5 years with KC).

December 6 – The Cubs signed RP Ron Marinaccio. SP Ryan Yarbrough signed with the Yankees. The Brewers acquired C Blake Hunt in a trade with Tampa Bay.

December 7 – San Francisco signed SS Gabriel Arias to a 4 year, $79,600,000 deal. Bryson Stott signed a 5 year, $80,000,000 deal with the Yankees. Texas signed SP Jordan Holloway to a 2 year deal. Genesis Cabrera signed with the Phillies.

December 8 – Kansas City traded 3 minor leaguers to Boston in exchange for P Jonathan Holder.

December 9 – Tampa Bay traded P Taj Bradley to Texas in exchange for 2 prospects.

December 12 – San Diego signed P Jameson Taillon to a 2 year deal. Boston signed P Matt Stahm to a 2 year deal.

December 14 – The Cubs signed RP Bryan Abreu to a 1 year deal.

December 15 – Milwaukee signed RP Michael Feliz to a 2 year contract. Scott Barlow signed a 1 year deal with San Diego. Boston signed SP Nick Lodolo to a 2 year deal. p Michael King signed with the Dodgers.

December 18 – RP Miguel del Pozo signed a 2 year deal with the Dodgers. The Dodgers traded RP Seranthony Dominguez to Seattle for a minor leaguer.

December 19 – RP Kyle Finnegan signed for 2 years with the Red Sox.

December 20 – The Pirates signed free agent Shohei Ohtani to a 1 year, $1,500,000 contract. Once one of the top players in the game, Ohtani has spent most of the past 2 seasons injured. He has Tommy John surgery in 2026 and a torn UCL in 2027. He played in only 22 games in 2028. He will try to get his career back on track with the Pirates, who are likely to use him mostly as a DH.

December 21 – RULE 5 DRAFT – The Pirates drafted 2B Owen Piano from the Padres. The 23 year-old 2B is a solid defender with a good eye at the plate.

The Pirates lost OF Steven Kwan to Tampa Bay.

December 21 – The Giants signed SP Jack Flaherty to a 4 year deal.

December 22 – Texas signed P Sam Hentges.

December 24 – The Mets signed RP Corey Knebel.

December 25 – The Dodgers signed P Shane McCoanahan.

December 27 – Former Pirate Jose Urquidy signed with Philadelphia on a 3 year, $38,800,000 deal.

December 30 – P Pat Burgstahler signed with Philadelphia on a 1 year deal.

December 31 – OF Jarred Kelenic signed with Seattle (5 years, $83,000,000). RP Cionel Perez signed with the Phillies. The Dodgers signed RP Michel Baez.

[TribeTown]

OFF SEASON PART 2

January 1 – The Pirates traded Henry Davis and 2 minor Leaguers (C Vincente Claros and P Daniel Brooks) to the Yankees in exchanged for P Chris Rodriguez

Rodriguez is a 30 year old starter entering the final year of his 5 year, $56,000,000 contract. He was originally a 4th round draft pick by the Angels in 2016 before the Yankees traded for him in 2021. He is a 2-time all star and went 15-5 with a 2.54 ERA in 33 starts in 2027. He went 13-12 with a 3.16 in 2028. He has 3 plus pitcher and is the top of the rotation pitcher,l which the Pirates have been looking for with Shane Bieber injured and Walker Buehler leaving via free agency.

January 2 – RP Cody Stashak signs with the Dodgers. The Giants signed RP Darwinzon Hernandez to a 3-year deal.

January 4 – Pirate free agent Aneurys Zabala signed with Philadelphia for 5 years, $109,000,000. RP Chad Green signed with Charlotte.

January 5 – The Pirates signed Quinn Priester to a 6 year, $118,800,000 contract extension. Priester has an opt out in 2033, and the Pirates have team options in 2034 and 2035.


January 6 – Arizona signed P Jackson Kowar to a 4 year contract. International star 1B Heishichi Yoshihara signed a 4-year deal with Boston.

January 10 – Justin Verlander will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

January 12 – San Antonio traded P Dinelson Lamet to the Angels for a minor league SP.

January 16 – Seattle signed Rap Giovanny Gallegos.

January 18 – The Phillies acquired Rap Alex Vesia from the Acuna in exchange for a minor league OF.

January 19 – Good news from the injury front: Kyren Long, the Pirates top pitching prospect, is recovering well from his rotator cuff injury and is able to start pitching much earlier than expected.

January 21 – Trent Gresham signed a 4 year, $42,000,000 deal with Minnesota.

January 23 – The Cubs signed RP Aaron Bummer. RP Jordan Romano signed with Washington.

January 24 – The Pirates signed CF Kyle Lewis to a minor league contract. He will earn $3,500,000 if he makes the major league roster and can opt for free agency if he is not promoted by the 30th day of the season.

January 28 – Veteran SP Luis Severino signed a 2 year contract with the Cubs. Veteran RP Jose Alvarado signed with the Yankees.

January 30 – The Cubs signed P Jost Staumont. Nick Wittgren signed with the Yankees.

January 31 – SP Eric Laure singled with Toronto. The Rockies traded 1B Brock Wilken to Kansas City in exchange for 3B Ryan McMahon.

February 5 – Venezuelan RP Aldry Acosta signed a 2 year deal with the Yankees. RP Hancel Rincon signed with Boston.

February 10 – Former Pirate Angel Zerpa signed a 3 year, $33,500,000 deal with Toronto.

February 15 – SP Yusei Kikichi signed with Colorado.

[TribeTown]

SPRING TRAINING


The biggest surprises were at SS and CF. Against all expectations, Dean West won the CF job with an outstanding spring. Kyle Lewis and Sean Pickle will start the season at AAA.

Jacob Gonzalez, a waiver pick up at the end of last season, will start the season on the big league roster and will split time at 2B with Tyler Freeman (Freeman will also see time at the other infield positions). This pushes Khalil Watson to SS and sends last year's starter, Armando Cruz, to AAA. Cruz is an elite defender but his bat was a liability last year.

The only significant injury was to Rule 5 pick Owen Piano, who went on the 60 day IL on March 20 with a back injury.

The Opening Day Roster is:

SP: Quinn Priester, Chris Rodriguez, Kyozo Nishado, Carter Smith, Jackson Cox, & Drew Rasmussen. The Pirates are opening the season with a 6 man rotation. Top prospect Kyren Long begins the season at AAA after missing all of last year. Shane Bieber is expected back sometime around the all star break.

RP: Yerry De Los Santos, Nick Robertson, Austin Troesser, Jake Eder, Jake Weisenberger, Luke Little (out of options), & Jackson Baumeister. The surprise demotion was Connor Prielipp, who did not make the opening day roster.

C: Diego Cartaya & Adonys Guzman.

INF: Max Anderson, Tyler Freeman, Jacob Gonzalez, Khalil Watson, Masayoshi Oshima.

OF: Ethan Workinger, Roman Anthony, Dean West, Corbin Carroll, Shohei Ohtani, Luca Reyes. Reyes won the final roster spot and Jackson Merrill was designated for assignment. If he is not claimed, he will go to AAA.

BNN predicts the Pirates, Cardinals, and Cubs will be in a tight race for the NL Central title. The Pirates are predicted to finish 88-75.

TRANSACTIONS

• February 25 – Christian Yelich signed a 1 year deal with Boston.
  
• February 26 – St. Louis OF Harrison Bader will miss the first half of the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.
  
• February 27 – P Pablo Lopez signed a 1 year deal with the Phillies.
  
• March 1 – Colorado signed OF Teoscar Hernandez.
  
• March 5 – Atlanta announced that they had agreed to a 6 year contract extension worth $100,800,000 with C William Contreras. Texas signed 1B Rowdy Tellez.
  
• March 6 – Texas SP Taj Bradley will miss at least 4 months with a torn labrum.
  
• March 10 – OF Bryan Reynolds signed a 1 year deal with the Ocelots. Ketel Marte signed with the Angels. Atlanta signed P Ian Anderson to a 7 year, $213,500,000 extension.
  
• March 15 – Oakland signed 1B Rhys Hiskies to a 1 year deal. Kris Bryant signed with Charlotte.
  
• March 22 – Washington SP Seth Romero will miss 6 months with a shoulder injury.
  
• March 23 – Detroit star OF Riley Greene will miss 3 months with a hernia.

[TribeTown]

Game #1 – March 29 – Pittsburgh 10, Washington 6
The Pirates came out swinging on Opening Day at PNC Park. After the Nationals scored 5 times in the 3rd inning to take a 6-2 lead (driving Quinn Priester from the game), Pittsburgh scored 7 times in the bottom of the 5th to take the lead. Jacob Gonzalez had the big hit, a 2-run single to put the Buccos ahead. Gonzalez went 2-4 with a trie, and drove 3 runs in the game.
WP: J. Baumeister (1-0)
LP: M. Denaburg (0-1)
Record: 1-0Tyler Freeman

Game #2 – March 30 – Pittsburgh 6, Washington 2
Chris Rodriguez was solid in his Pirates debut, pitching 6.1 IP, allowing 1 run on 4 hits while striking out 6. Tyler Freeman hit a 2-run single with the bases loaded to highlight a 5-run 3rd inning.
WP: C. Rodriguez (1-0)
LP: G. Crochet (0-2)
Record: 2-0

Game #3 – March 31 – Pittsburgh 2, Washington 1
Shohei Ohtani hit career home run #300 in the 4th inning. After the Nationals tied it in the 5th, Luca Reyes hit a solo home run in the bottom of the inning. Carter Smith was outstanding (6 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 H, 5 K, 3 BB).
WP: C. Smith (1-0)
LP: J. Wolf (0-1)
SV: Y. De Los Santos (1)
Record: 3-0

Game #4 – April 1 – Pittsburgh 3,:Miami 1
Kyozo Nishida pitched 7 shutout innings, allowing just 3 hits and striking out 5, as the Pirates beat the Marlins in the home opener in Miami. Ethan Workinger put the Pirates ahead with a solo home run in the 6th inning. Tyler Freeman and Roman Anthony each drove home runs in the 7th.
WP: K. Nishida (1-0)
LP: C. Paddack (0-1)
SV: Y. De Los Santos (2)
Record: 4-0

Game #5 – April 2 – Pittsburgh 6, Miami 2 (10 innings)
Max Anderson hit a 2-run single in the top of the 10th to break a 2-2 tie. Luca Reyes and Diego Cartaya followed with run-scoring singles to give Pittsburgh a 6-2 lead.
WP: J. Baumeister (2-0)
LP: M. Meyer (0-1)
Record: 5-0

Game #6 – April 3 – Pittsburgh 8, Miami 6
Roman Anthony ripped a 3-run.home run in the 1st inning as the Pirates scored 6 times to take the lead. Miami battled back with 5 runs in the 8th and 1 in the 9th, but could not complete the comeback.
WP: D. Rasmussen (1-0)
LP: M. Albright (0-1)
SV: Y. De Los Santos (3)
Record: 6-0

[TribeTown]

Game #7 – April 4 – Pittsburgh 10, Colorado 9
After the Rockies tied the game in the bottom of the 9th, Khalil Watson singled home the go-ahead run in the 10th. Corbin Carroll led off the game with his 1st home run of the season, and Masayoshi Oshima hit 2 home runs and drove in 3.
WP: A. Troesser (1-0)
LP: J. Cantillo (0-1)
SV: J. Eder (1)
Record: 7-0

Game #8 – April 5 – Colorado 5, Pittsburgh 4 (12 innings)
The Pirates lost their first game of the season after blowing a 4-2 lead in the 9th. Josh Mears hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 12th to give the Rockies the win.
WP: D. Coleman (1-1)
LP: J. Baumeister (2-1)
Record: 7-1

Game #9 – April 6 – Pittsburgh 11, Colorado 6
Tyler Freeman went 3-4 with a home run and a triple. He also drew a walk, was hit by a pitch, and scored 3 times. Drew West led off the game with his 1st home run of the season. Ethan Workinger and Luca Reyes also hit home runs.
WP: C. Smith (2-0)
R. Broom (0-2)
Record: 8-1

Game #10 – April 7 – Pittsburgh 6, Milwaukee 2
Ethan Workinger hit 2 home runs and drove in 4 as the Pirates opened the series with division rival Milwaukee with a win.
WP: K. Nishida (2-0)
LP: M. Lorenzen (0-2)
Record: 9-1

Game #11 – April 8 – Milwaukee 4, Pittsburgh 3
Kurt Anglin hit a 2-run home run in the 1st inning, and Austin Meadows hit a 2-run shot in the 4th to lift the Brewers to a win at PNC Park.
WP: K. Freeland (2-0)
LP: J. Cox (0-2)
SV: A. Uribe (2)
Record: 9-2

Game #12 – April 9 – Milwaukee 8, Pittsburgh 2
Ronaldo Hernandez hit a bases-clearing double to highlight a 5-run 4th inning.
WP: T. Pike (1-0)
LP: D. Rasmussen (1-1)
Record: 9-3

TRANSACTION: Placed Ethan Workinger on the 10-day Injured List with a sore back. Recalled Jackson Merrill from AAA Indianapolis.

April 10 – Off Day

[TribeTown]

It only took two turns through the 6-man rotation before the Pirates announced they were going back to the traditional 5-man rotation. Drew Rasmussen will now pitch from the bullpen.

Game #13 – April 11 – Charlotte 10, Pittsburgh 3
Wes Kath drove in 5 runs as the Brown Bears cruised to a win in Charlotte.
WP: J. Gatto (1-1)
LP: Q. Priester (0-1)
Record: 9-4

Game #14 – April 12 – Pittsburgh 6, Charlotte 5 (11 innings)
Corbin Carroll hit a 2-rin single in the top of the 2nd to give the Pirates an early lead, but Charlotte tied it at 5 in the bottom of the 8th inning. The Pirates scored the go-ahead run on Carroll’s RBI groundout.
WP: J. Baumeister (3-1)
LP: S. Boyle (1-1)
SV: Y. De Los Santos (4)
Record: 10-4

Game #15 – April 13 – Pittsburgh 9, Charlotte 4
Masayoshi Oshima had a big day. He hit his 3rd home run of the season in the 8th inning and drove in 4 runs for the game. Max Anderson also smashed a home run, a 2-run shot in the 4th.
WP: J. Eder (1-0)
LP: J. del Bosque (1-2)
Record: 11-4

Game #16 – April 14 – Pittsburgh 9, NY Mets 2
Max Anderson went 4-4, falling a triple short of the cycle. He hit a solo home run in the bottom of the 2nd, a run scoring double in the 3rd, and a 3-run home run in the 5th.
WP: K. Nishida (3-0)
LP: J. Butto (0-3)
Record: 12-4

Game #17 – April 15 – NY Mets 8, Pittsburgh 4
Mike Rippey hit a bases-clearing double in the top of the 6th inning to give the Mets a 7-4 lead.
WP: G. Marquez (1-1)
LP: J. Cox (0-2)
Record: 12-5

Game #18 – April 16 – NY Mets 7, Pittsburgh 6
The Mets scored 4 times in the 2nd inning to take a 5-0 lead. The Pirates fought back, but could not complete the comeback. Diego Cartaya struck out with the tying run on base in the bottom of the 9th.
WP: L. Moreno (1-1)
LP: Q. Priester (0-3)
SV: A. Perdomo (1)
Record: 12-6

[TribeTown]

Game #19 – April 17 – St. Louis 3, Pittsburgh 2
Brent Conine was outstanding and Brandon Drury broke a 2-2 tie when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 5th inning.
[B]WP: B. Conine (4-0)
LP: J. Weisenberger (0-1)
SV: L. Gillespie (2)
Record: 12-7

Game #20 – April 18 – St. Louis 2, Pittsburgh 1
Carter Smith pitched well (6 innings of shutout ball) but Jameson Hannah hit a 2-run home run in the bottom of the 7th to give the Cardinals the lead.
WP: E. Marquez (1-0)
LP: A. Troesser (1-1)
SV: S. Wilson (8)
Record: 12-8

Game #21 – April 19 – Pittsburgh 4, St. Louis 0
Kyozo Nishida pitched a complete game, 2 hit shutout while striking out 8 and walking 4.
WP: K. Nishida (4-0)
LP: D. Castillo (1-1)
Record: 13-8

TRANSACTION: Activated Ethan Workinger from the 10-day Injured List. Designated Jackson Merrill for assignment.

Game #22 – April 20 – San Diego 8, Pittsburgh 2
Zac Gallen has been the Pirates nemesis over the past few years, and it was no different today. Kehden Hettiger hit a 3-run home run in the 1st inning to put San Diego ahead, and the Padres never looked back.
WP: Z. Gallen (2-1)
LP: J. Cox (0-3)
Record: 13-9

Game #23 – April 21 – San Diego 2, Pittsburgh 0 (10 innings)
Jameson Taillon took a no hitter into the 10th inning before surrendering a base hit to Ethan Workinger. The Padres won it when they scored twice in the top of the 10th.
WP: J. Taillon (3-2)
LP: Y. De Los Santos (0-1)
SV: K. Castro (7)
Record: 13-10

Game #24 – April 22 – San Diego 5, Pittsburgh 4
The Padres completed the sweep, taking a 5-0 lead midway through the 7th inning. The Pirates scored 3 times in the bottom of the 7th and once in the 8th, but could not complete the comeback.
WP: M. Gore (3-1)
LP: C. Rodriguez (1-1)
SV: K. Castro (8)
Record: 13-11

April 23 – Off Day

[TribeTown]

Game #25 – April 24 – Philadelphia 5, Pittsburgh 2
The Phillies scored 5 times in the bottom of the 1st inning. Former Pirate Jose Urquidy held Pittsburgh batters in check, allowing 2 runs on 7 hits over 7 innings.
WP: J. Urquidy (2-3)
LP: C. Smith (2-1)
SV: J. Hader (5)
Record: 13-12

Game #26 – April 25 – Pittsburgh 4, Philadelphia 2
The Pirates snapped a 4-game losing streak and won just their 2nd game in their last 10 behind another magnificent performance by Kyozo Nishida. Nishida pitched a complete game, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits while striking out 5 and walking 0 to improve to 5-0. The Pirates were trailing 2-1 when Roman Anthony blasted a 3-run home run in the top of the 8th inning.
WP: K. Nishida (5-0)
LP: G. Cabrera (0-2)
Record: 14-12

Game #27 – April 26 – Pittsburgh 5, Philadelphia 2
Jackson Cox won his 1st game of the year, allowing 2 hits over 6 shutout innings. Luca Reyes, Roman Anthony, and Max Anderson all homered for the Pirates.
WP: J. Cox (1-3)
LP: J. Karros (0-2)
Record: 15-12

TRANSACTION: Jackson Merrill cleared waivers and assigned to AAA Indianapolis.

Game #28 – April 27 – Pittsburgh 5, Cincinnati 4
Reds pitcher Connor Phillips held the Pirates in check, and the Reds led 4-1 going to the bottom of the 9th. Khalil Watson singled home 2 runs to make it a 4-3 game and then Masayoshi Oshima hit a Joe Boyle curve into the RF stands to give the Buccos a walk off win.
WP: D. Rasmussen (2-1)
LP: J. Boyle (1-4)
Record: 16-12

Game #29 – April 28 – Cincinnati 5, Pittsburgh 4
Corbin Carroll's 2-run home run in the bottom of the 7th gave the Pirates a 4-3 lead, but the Reds tied it in the 8th and won it in the 9th when pinch hitter Ji-hwan Bae singled home the go-ahead run.
WP: S. Keane (1-0)
LP: J. Baumeister (3-2)
SV: K. Williams (1)
Record: 16-13

Game #30 – April 29 – Pittsburgh 17, Cincinnati 2
The Pirates pounded out 19 hits including 2 home runs by Dean West, who went 4-4 and drove in 6 runs. Roman Anthony and Masayoshi Oshima also homered.
WP: C. Smith (6-1)
LP: J. Cruz (1-3)
Record: 17-13

Game #31 – April 30 – Pittsburgh 3, San Francisco 2
Kyozo Nishida had another outstanding performance, allowing 2 runs over 8 innings. Dean West hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 8th inning to drive home the go-ahead run.
WP: K. Nishida (6-0)
LP: P. Fairbanks (0-1)
SV: Y. De Los Santos (5)
Record: 18-13

TRANSACTION: Placed Khalil Watson on the 10-day Injured List (sore back). Recalled Armando Cruz from AAA Indianapolis.

[TribeTown]

APRIL 2029 IN REVIEW

The Pirates got off to a hot start, then played a stretch of some of the worst baseball seen in the Steel City over the past 7 years, then rebounded to finish the month on a strong note.

The pitching has been solid for the most part. Kyozo Nishida has been outstanding and the rest of the rotation solid despite Jackson Cox’s struggles. Yerry De Los Santos has struggled in his closer’s role, but the rest of the bullpen has pitched well enough. Especially impressive has been the work of Jackson Baumeister, who has been excellent in the long relief role.

The offense is off to a solid start except for the catcher’s position, where neither Diego Cartaya nor Adonys Guzman has provided much offensively. On the other hand, Dean West has been a revelation in center field, batting near .400 for most of the first month of the season.

Of bigger concern is the defense, which is typically among the best in the league. The infield defense in particular has been inconsistent.

THIS MONTH IN THE MLB


The Cubs are off to an incredible 23-8 start. They lead the NL Central by 2 games over St. Louis. The Pirates are 5 games back.

The Mets (16-15) lead the NL East by 2 games over the Braves and Nationals. San Diego (20-11) lead the West by 3 games over the Giants.

Baltimore (20-11) leads the AL East by 3 games over Boston. Cleveland (21-10) leads the Central. The White Sox are 1 game back. Seattle (19-12) leads the AL West by 2 games over Texas.

• March 29 – Dodgers 1B Devin Mann had a historic opening day, going 5-6 in a 15-6 win over the Reds. He hit 4 home runs and drove in 6.
  
• March 31 – Pirates OF Shohei Ohtani hit career home run #300 in a 2-1 win over Washington.
  
• April 1 – The Angels signed SP Trevor Bauer on a 1 year, $2,760,000 contract.
  
• April 5 – The Phillies signed free agent CL Josh Hader for 1 year, $20,800,000.
  
• April 6 – OF Elijah Green will miss the next 6-7 weeks with an oblique strain.
  
• April 9 – White Sox SP Michael Kopech fanned 15 Tigers in a 3-2 win. Kopech allowed 3 hits and walked 1.
  
• April 11 – Angels SP Zach Pleaac will miss at least 4 months with a torn rotator cuff.
  
• April 14 – The Angels signed OF Julio Rodriguez to a 8 year, $328,000,000 contract extension.
  
• April 19 – Giants OF Matt Vierling will miss the rest of the season with a broken bone in his elbow.
  
• April 22 – White Sox OF Hunter Bishop will miss the rest of the season with a broken bone in his elbow.
  
• April 25 – Baltimore SP Nabil Crismatt will miss at least 4 months with a bone spur in his elbow.
  
• April 27 – Milwaukee 3B Eugenio Suarez announced that he will retire at the end of the season.
  
• April 29 – Mets 1B Pete Alonso hit career home run #400 as the Mets beat Arizona 11-6.
  
• April 30 – Cleveland SP Logan Webb will miss the next 16 months with a torn flexor tendon.
  
• May 1 – Kyozo Nishida was named NL Pitcher of the Month after going 6-0 with a 0.99 ERA. He pitched 45.1 innings, struck out 28, and held opponents to a .156 batting average.

DOWN ON THE FARM

• April 16 – Indianapolis OF Elijah Rayner won the IL Player of the Week after batting .533 (8-15) with 4 home runs and 9 RBIs.
  
• April 28 – Indianapolis SP Colby Holcombe tossed a no-hitter against Scranton as the Indians won 2-0.
  
• April 29 – Altoona 3B Alfredo Prado will miss at least 4 months with a torn calf muscle.

[TribeTown]

Game #32 –May 1 – San Francisco 6, Pittsburgh 0
The Giants scored 5 times in the top of the 2nd inning and Jack Flaherty a d 2 relievers shut out the Pirates in 7 hits.
WP: J. Flaherty (5-0)
LP: J. Cox (1-4)
Record: 18-14

Game #33 – May 2 – Pittsburgh 11, San Francisco 3
Diego Cartaya simgled.home the go-,ahead run in the bottom of the 2nd.inning. Armando Cruz went 3-4 and drove in 3 runs. Corbin Carroll also drove in 3 runs.
WP: Q. Priester (1-2)
LP: M. Fried (3-4)
Record: 19-14

Game #34 – May 3 – Pittsburgh 9, Atlanta 4
Dean West hit a solo home run in the top of the 3rd inning to break a 2-2 tie. Masayoshi Oshima hit a solo shot in the 4th.
WP: C. Rodriguez (2-1)
LP: M. Soroka (3-3)
Record: 20-14

Game #35 – May 4 – Atlanta 4, Pittsburgh 3 (20 innings)
Josh Jung singled home the winning run in the bottom of the 20th inning to end a game that lasted 7 hours and 14 minutes.
WP: H. Elliott (1-0)
LP: S. Ohtani (0-2)
Record: 20-15

Game #36 – May 5 – Atlanta 7, Pittsburgh 1
Ian Anderson pitched a gem, holding Pirates hitters in check. The Braves scored 5 times in the bottom of the 6th inning to take the lead.
WP: I. Anderson (2-3)
LP: K. Nishida (6-1)
Record: 20-16

May 6 – Off Day

Game #37 – May 7 – Pittsburgh 14, LA Dodgers 0
Shohei Ohtani hit 2 home runs and drove in 6, including a 3rd inning grand slam, as the Pirates pounded the Dodgers.
WP: J. Cox (2-4)
LP: J. Attencio (1-3)
Record: 21-16

Game #38 – May 8 – Pittsburgh 9, LA Dodgers 2
The Pirates scored 6 times in the bottom of the 2nd inning, and Ethan Workinger hit 2 home runs as the Pirates roughed.up the Dodgers for the 2nd game in a row.
WP: Q. Priester (2-2)
LP: M. Buchanan (2-3)
Record: 22-16

[TribeTown]

May 9 – PPD.

TRANSACTION: Optioned Luca Reyes to AAA Indianapolis. Activated Khalil Watson from the IL.

Game #39 – May 10 – Arizona 3, Pittsburgh 2
Adrian Del Castillo hit a 2-run home run off of Yerry De Los Santos in the bottom of the 9th to give the Diamondbacks a walk off win.
WP: L. Frias (4-1)
LP: Y. De Los Santos (0-2)
Record: 22-17

Game #40 – May 11 – Pittsburgh 10, Arizona 6
The Pirates scored 5 times in the top of the 8th inning to win the game. Tyler Freeman singled home the go-ahead run. Masayoshi Oshima followed with a 2-run double. Oshima had 4 RBIs for the game.
WP: D. Rasmussen (3-1)
LP: W. Frisch (1-1)
Record: 23-17

Game #41 – May 12 – Pittsburgh 6, Arizona 1
Kyozo Nishida pitched another outstanding game, allowing 1 run on 5 hits and striking out 8 in a complete game effort.
WP: K. Nishida (7-1)
LP: J. Susana (4-3)
Record: 24-17

Game #42 – May 13 – Chicago 5, Pittsburgh 2
Dylan Lesko pitched the 1st place Cubs to a big win at PNC Park. Chicago scored 4 times in the top of the 5th to take control of the game, highlighted by Druw Jones's 2-run single.
WP: D. Lesko (3-1)
LP: J. Cox (2-5)
SV: E. Clase (14)
Record: 24-18

TRANSACTION: Placed Masayoshi Oshima on the 10-day Injured List with a strained groin. Oshima is expected to miss 5 weeks. Recalled Sean Pickle from AAA Indianapolis. Pickle is primarily a center fielder, but also can play 3B.

Game #43 – May 14 – Pittsburgh 4, Chicago 1
Roman Anthony's 2-run double in the bottom of the 3rd highlighted a 4-run inning as the Pirates evened the series. Quinn Priester was outstanding, allowing 1 run on 6 hits over 6.1 innings of work.
WP: Q. Priester (3-2)
LP: T. Thomas (2-4)
SV: Y. De Los Santos (6)
Record: 25-18

Game #44 – May 15 – Pittsburgh 5, Chicago 4
Ethan Workinger hit 2 home runs to lead the Pirates to a series win. His solo shot in the bottom of the 5th inning gave Pittsburgh the 5-4 lead.
WP: C. Rodriguez (3-1)
LP: A. Morejon (2-2)
SV: Y. De Los Santos (7)
Record: 26-18

[TribeTown]

Game #45 – May 16 –Washington 5, Pittsburgh 4 (10 innings)
After the Pirates scored twice in the top of the 9th inning to take the lead, the Nationals tied it when pinch hitter Noah Franco singled home a run in the bottom of the inning. Brett Batt hit a dramatic walk off home run off of Nick Robertson.
WP: O. Ortega (3-3)
LP: N. Robertson (0-1)
Record: 26-19

May 17 – PPD Rain

Game #46 – May 18 (Game #1) – Pittsburgh 5, Washington 0
Kyozo Nishida had another outstanding performance, pitching a complete game, 7 hit shut out.
WP: K. Nishida (8-1)
LP: G. Crochet (0-4)
Record: 27-19

Game #47 – May 18 (Game #2) – Washington 6, Pittsburgh 4
The Nationals took the nightcap behind a 3- RBI game by Luis Garcia. Pittsburgh jumped out to a 4-0 1st inning lead in Shohei Ohtani’s grand slam, and led 4-2 in the 7th. Washington scored 4 times in the bottom of the 7th, highlighted by Jose Azocar’s bases-clearing double to give Washington the lead.
WP: J. Irvin (1-2)
LP: J. Cox (2-6)
SV: O. Ortega (2)
Record: 27-20

May 19 – Off Day

TRANSACTION: Sent Owen Paino to AAA Indianapolis on a rehab assignment.

Game #48 – May 20 – Pittsburgh 1, Miami 0
Quinn Priester was terrific, shutting out the Marlins on 4 hits over 8 innings. He struck out 10 and walked 1. Khalil Watson won the game with a run-scoring sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 9th to give the Buccos a walk off win.
WP: N. Robertson (1-1)
LP: J. Santos (1-3)
Record: 28-20

Game #49 – May 21 – Miami 7, Pittsburgh 1
Mason Albright was locked in, and Gio Urshela’s 3-run home run highlighted a 4-runv4th inning for the Marlins
WP: M. Albright (2-5)
LP: C. Rodriguez (3-3)
Record: 28-21

Game #50 – May 22 – Pittsburgh 6, Miami 5 (20 innings)
The Pirates prevailed in the longest game (by time) in team history. The 7:18 it took to complete this marathon was 4 minutes longer than the 20 innings game played on May 4 at Atlanta. Diego Cartaya doubled home the winning run in the bottom of the 20th, but few of the 29,447 fans announced in attendance were present to see it at 2:23 a.m.
WP: J. Cox (3-6)
LP: C. Paddack (1-3)
Record: 29-21

TRANSACTION: Optioned Armando Cruz to AAA Indianapolis and purchased Connor Prielipp’s contract.

[TribeTown]

Game #51 – May 23 – Pittsburgh 3, Colorado 0
Kyozo Nishida pitched 6 shutout innings to lead the Pirates to a series-opening win. The Rockies had the tying run at the plate in the 9th, but Yerry De Los Santos struck out Joshua Mears to end the game.
WP: K. Nishida (9-1)
LP: C. McMahon (1-4)
SV: Y. De Los Santos (8)
Record: 30-21

Game #52 – May 24 – Pittsburgh 5, Colorado 0
Quinn Priester had his best start of the season so far as the Pirates pitched their 2nd straight shutout. The Pirates scored 5 times in the bottom of the 1st inning, highlighted by Max Anderson’s 2-run single. Priester allowed 1 hit over 5 innings of work.
WP: Q. Priester (4-2)
LP: J. Jones (5-2)
Record: 31-21

Game #53 – May 25 – Colorado 10, Pittsburgh 6
The Rockies jumped out to an 8-0 lead after 4 innings. Jacob Gonzalez hit a 3-run home in the bottom of the 7th to cut Colorado‘s lead in half, but the Pirates could get no closer.
WP: H. Oliverez (6-1)
LP: J. Baumeister (3-3)
Record: 31-22

TRANSACTION: Sent Shane Bieber to AAA on a rehab assignment.

Game #54 – May 26 – Pittsburgh 4, Milwaukee 2 (10 innings)
Roman Anthony hit his 11th home run in the top of the 9th inning to tie the game, and Diego Cartaya hit a 2-run shot in the 10th to give the Pirates the lead.
WP: N. Robertson (2-1)
LP: A. Uribe (3-4)
SV: Y. De Los Santos (9)
Record: 32-22

Game #55 – May 27 – Milwaukee 8, Pittsburgh 4
Austin Meadows went 2-4 and drove in 2 runs and Jorge Polonco hit a 2-run home run in the bottom of the 3rd inning to lead the Brewers to the win.
WP: K. Freeland (3-1)
LP: C. Smith (3-2)
Record: 32-23

Game #56 – May 28 – Milwaukee 4, Pittsburgh 3 (11 innings)
Colt Keith singled home the winning run in the bottom of the 11th innings.
WP: D. Bednar (1-0)
LP: N. Robertson (2-2)
Record: 32-24

Game #57 – May 29 – Charlotte 6, Pittsburgh 5
Tommy White’s 8th inning home run gave the Brown Bears a 6-5 lead.
WP: A. Warner (2-0)
LP: J. Baumeister (3-4)
SV: N. Nelson (7)
Record: 32-25

Game #58 – May 30 – Charlotte 7, Pittsburgh 2
The Pirates took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st inning, but that was all the offense they could muster as they lost their 4th game in a row.
WP: J. del Bosque (4-4)
LP: Q. Priester (4-3)
Record: 32-26

Game #59 – May 31 – Pittsburgh 4, Charlotte 3 (11 innings)
After Dean Curley singled home the tying run in the 9th inning, Khalil Watson singled home the go-ahead run in the bottom of the 11th to give the Pirates a walk-off win.
WP: J. Weisenberger (1-1)
LP: N. Nelson (2-3)
Record: 33-26

TRANSACTION: Placed Drew Rasmussen on the 15-day Injured List with a strained back. Rasmussen is expected to miss up to 2 weeks. Recalled Colby Holcombe from AAA Indianapolis.

[TribeTown]

MAY 2029 IN REVIEW
The Pirates went 15-13 in May. Although it was not an overwhelming month, the Buccos kept pace with the Cubs in the NL Central. They are currently 4.5 games behind and hold 2nd place in the Wild Card.

The Pirates are currently playing 3 games behind their Pythagorean record, so there is room for improvement record-wise. The team overcame some significant injuries throughout the month and continued to play well, which is a good sign.

Offensively, the team is in the top 3 in most categories. After an outstanding March/April, Dean West’s bat is in a free fall. Tyler Freeman is not hitting well. Diego Cartaya remains an offensive liability. Ethan Workinger and Roman Anthony have been offensive mainstays, and Max Anderson has also been productive. Masayoshi Oshima will miss.some time with injury, which is a huge blow.

The pitching has been solid, but not as good as in previous seasons. The staff ranks 5th or 6th in most categories. Kyozo Nishida has struggled a bit over the past couple of starts but still leads the NL in wins and ERA. Carter Smith remains steady, but Quinn Priester has been up and down. Shane Bieber is expected to return from the IL in June.

The defense remains a concern, ranking 8th overall in the NL in terms.of efficiency and zone rating. Typically, the Pirates have fielded one of xz’the top 2 defenses in the league in at least one of those categories. Even more troublesome is the number of errors, especially by Tyler Freeman and Khalil Watson. Masayoshi Oshima also has more errors than normal, and may be losing a step at 3B.

THIS MONTH IN THE MLB
Thr Cubs lead Central with a 38-22 record, 4 games better than St. Louis.

Atlanta and Philadelphia are tied atop the NL East at 29-31. The Mets are 1 game back.

The Padres (39-21) have the best record in baseball and lead the NL West by 6 games over Arizona.

Baltimore (38-22) leads the AL East by 7 games over Boston and Tampa Bay. Cleveland (38-22) has a 4 game lead over Chicago in the Central. Seattle (37-23) leads the AL West by 1 game over Texas.

• May 3 – Texas SP Jordan Holloway will miss 4-5 months with an arthritic elbow.
  
• May 9 – Detroit 2B Luis Urias will miss at least 5 weeks with a torn quad.
  
• May 10 – OF Alil Baddoo signed a 4-year contract extension with Detroit. Milwaukee signed veteran RP Scott Barlow.
  
• May 10 – Former Pirate Walker Buehler threw a complete game, 2-hit shutout as the Dodgers beat the Giants, 2-0.
  
• May 13 – Nationals superstar Juan Soto will miss the next 4-5 months with a broken bone in his elbow.
  
• May 16 – Former Pirate Jose Urquidy (2027) hurled a no hitter as the Phillies dominated the Marlins, 15-0.
  
• May 18 – Guardians superstar OF George Valera hit for the cycle as Cleveland beat San Antonio, 9-3.
  
• May 25 – Blue Jays 3B Matt Chapman hit for the cycle as the Cubs beat the Dodgers, 7-4.
  
• May 27 – Rays SS Wander Franco will miss the next 4-5 weeks with a fractured finger.
  
• May 29 – The Dodgers signed RP Keone Kela, who became a free agent after being released by Cleveland.
  
• May 30 – Houston star OF Kyle Tucker will miss 9 months with a torn posterior cruciate ligament.

DOWN ON THE FARM

May 3 –Altoona SP Zach Swanson (2027 5th round draft pick) allowed 3 hits and struck out 9 as the Curve shut out Harrisburg, 4-0.

[TribeTown]

June 1 – Off Day

TRANSACTIONS: Placed Chris Rodriguez on the 15-day Injured List with back stiffness. Optioned Sean Pickle and Adonys Guzman to AAA Indianapolis. Recalled P/INF Connor Shouse (2024 5th round draft pick) and C Zion Rose (2023 1st round draft pick) from AAA. Placed Owen Paino (rehab) on the 10-day Injured List with hamstring tendonitis.

Traded Clayton Hodges to Boston in exchange for P Mekhi Cobham. Cobham is a 23 year-old starter drafted in the 3rd round of the 2026 draft by the Red Sox. He has 4 pitches with an above average fastball and slider. He could develop into a solid starter, but if he does not develop an above average 3rd pitch, may end up pitching out of the bullpen.

Traded Kyle Lewis and P Steve Adams to San Francisco in exchange for 1B Jake Morrow. Morrow is a 25 year-old who has plus-plus contact ability and is projected to hit for a high batting average. He also has plus power potential.

Designated Armando Cruz for assignment. Assigned Morrow and Cobham to AAA.

Game #60 – June2 – NY Mets 8, Pittsburgh 1
Pete Alonso hit 3 home runs and drove in 6 as the Mets overpowered the Pirates.
WP: M. Allan (4-1)
LP: C. Smith (3-3)
Record: 33-27

Game #61 – June 3 – Pittsburgh 10, NY Mets 7 (17 innings)
Roman Anthony hit a 2-run home run with 2 outs in the top of the 9th inning to tie the game. His 2-run home run in the top of the 17th inning put the Pirates on top, 9-7. Khalil Watson had 6 hits in 7 at bats, including a home run, a double, and 4 singles. He drove in 3 runs.
WP: Y. De Los Santos (1-2)
LP: K. Finnegan (0-1)
SV: A. Troesser (1)
Record: 34-27

Game #62 – June 4 – NY Mets 10, Pittsburgh 6
The Pirates took an early 2-0 lead, but the Mets put the next 10 runs on the board to win the rubber match of the series as Kyozo Nishida allowed 6 runs (4 earned) over 5 innings. The Pirates scored 3 times in the 9th and had the bases loaded when Angel Perdomo came on to preserve the win.
WP: C. Sparks (4-2)
LP: K. Nishida (9-2)
SV: A. Perdomo (1)
Record: 34-28

Game #63 – June 5 – Pittsburgh 9, St. Louis 6
Ethan Workinger went 3-4 to lead the Pirates. His bases-clearing double in the bottom of the 7th inning gave Pittsburgh a 7-6 lead.
WP: J. Eder (2-0)
LP: S. Nogosek (1-1)
SV: Y. De Los Santos (10)
Record: 35-27

TRANSACTION: Assigned Armando Cruz to AAA Indianapolis.

Game #64 – June 6 – Pittsburgh 4, St. Louis 1
JacksonCox was outstanding, pitching 7 shutout innings. He allowed 3 hits and struck out 5.
WP: J. Cox (4-6)
LP: B. Conine (6-3)
Record: 36-27

Game #65 – June 7 – St. Louis 5, Pittsburgh 2
Carter Smith pitched 6 shutout innings, but the Cardinals scored twice in the 8th and 3 times in the 9th to salvage the final game of the series.
WP: L. Gillaspie (2-2)
LP: N. Robertson (2-3)
Record: 36-28

TRANSACTION: Placed Corbin Carroll on the 60-day Injured List with a strained oblique. Recalled Jake Morrow from AAA Indianapolis.

[TribeTown]

Game #66 – June 8 – Pittsburgh 6, San Diego 2
Jackson Baumeister allowed 2 runs on 4 hits over 6.2 innings to pick up the win. Roman Anthony highlighted a 4-run 1st with a 2-run double.
WP: J. Baumeister (4-4)
LP: Z. Gallen (5-4)
SV: Y. De Los Santos (11)
Record: 37-29

TRANSACTION: Placed Corbin Carroll on the 60-day Injured List with a strained oblique. Carroll is expected to miss up the 2 months. Recalled Jake Morrow from AAA Indianapolis.

Game #67 – June 9 – San Diego 8, Pittsburgh 2
Victor Acosta went 3-3 and scored 3 times to lead the Padres to victory. Kyozo Nishida had another underwhelming start, allowing 7 runs on 11 hits over 5 innings. Jake Morrow hit a home run in his 1st major league at bat.
WP: J. Taillon (10-2)
LP: K. Nishida (9-3)
Record: 37-30

TRANSACTION: Placed Jake Eder on the 60-day Injured List with a torn UCL. Eder will undergo surgery and will miss the rest of the season. Recalled Kyren Long from AAA Indianapolis.

Game #68 – June 10 – Pittsburgh 10, San Diego 0
The Pirates took the rubber match behind an outstanding start by Quinn Priester (6 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 5 K) and Shohei Ohtani's 2 home runs. Max Anderson hit a grand slam in the top of the 1st inning and Roman Anthony added a home run in the 9th.
WP: Q. Priester (5-3)
LP: M. Gore (7-4)
Record: 38-30

TRANSACTION: Claimed P Luke Rodriguez off waivers from Baltimore. Optioned Jackson Cox (4-6, 4.72) to AAA Indianapolis.

Game #69 – June 11 – Philadelphia 6, Pittsburgh 2
Former Pirate Aneurys Zabala shut down the Pirates and the Phillies led 5-0 by the 4th inning. Top pitching prospect Kyrin Long made a forgettable major league debut.
WP: A. Zabala (2-4)
LP: K. Long (0-2)
Record: 38-31

TRANSACTION: Placed Jack Weisenberger on the 15-day Injured List (sore back). Purchased Jesus Garza’s contract from AAA Indianapolis.

Game #70 – June 12 – Pittsburgh 9, Philadelphia 5
Luca Reyes went 3-4 with a home run to lead the Pirates. Shohei Ohtani's 2-run double in the bottom of the 5th inning put the Pirates ahead, 5-3.
WP: C. Smith (4-3)
LP: J. Urquidy (7-6)
Record: 39-31

TRANSACTION: Placed Kyrin Long on the 15-day Injured List (forearm soreness). Purchased Darren Bowen’s contract from AAA Indianapolis.

Game #71 – June 13 – Pittsburgh 3, Philadelphia 1
Jackson Baumeister was dominant (5.2 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 8 K) and Shohei Ohtani and Max Anderson hit back-to-back home runs in the 2nd to give the Pirates the lead.
WP: J. Baumeister (5-4)
LP: A. Vesia (3-4)
SV: N. Robertson (1)
Record: 40-31

June 14 – Off Day.

[TribeTown]

Game #72 – June 15 – Pittsburgh 10, Cincinnati 8
The Reds led 4-1 after 2 innings, but the Pirates came back to.win the series opener. Zion Rose has 2 hits, including a 2-run home run in the 3rd. Rose had 4 RBIs in the game. Roman Anthony, Max Anderson, and Khalil Watson also hit home runs.
WP: K. Nishida (10-3)
LP: C. Phillips: (6-7)
SV: Y. De Los Santos (12)
Record: 41-31

TRANSACTION: Sent Drew Rasmussen and Masayoshi Oshima to AAA on rehab assignments.

Game #73 – June 16 – Cincinnati 4, Pittsburgh 1
Carter Trice drove in 3 runs and Jonathan Cruz pitched well as the Eeds stopped the Pirates.
WP: J. Cruz (3-6)
LP: Q. Priester (5-4)
SV: J. Boyle (11)
Record: 41-32

Game #74 – June 17 – Cincinnati 6, Pittsburgh 3
The Pirates took a 1-0 lead on Tyler Freeman's 1st inning home run, but Jairo Pomeras hit a 2-run home run in the bottom of the 5th to put Cincinnati ahead, 2-1. Elly De La Cruz has 3 RBIs for the Reds.
WP: M. Castillo (3-6)
LP: C. Holcombe (0-1)
SV: J. Boyle (12)
Record: 41-33

Game #75 – June 18 – San Francisco 8, Pittsburgh 6
The Giants scored twice with 2 outs in the bottom of the 8th to take an 8-6 lead.
WP: A. Munoz (3-1)
LP: L. Rodriguez (0-1)
SV: D. Williams (5)
Record: 41-34

TRANSACTION: Placed Luke Little on the 15-day Injured List (dead arm). Recalled Collin McKinney from AAA Indianapolis.

Game #76 – June 19 – Pittsburgh 4, San Francisco 3
Connor Shouse hit a 2-run double in the top of the 2nd inning to give the Pirates a 2-1 lead. Pittsburgh scored 2 more runs in the inning and held on for the win.
WP: J. Baumeister (6-4)
LP: J. Flaherty (8-5)
SV: Y. De Los Santos (13)
Record: 42-34

TRANSACTION: Sent Owen Paino to AAA on a rehab assignment.

Game #77 – June 20 – Pittsburgh 4, San Francisco 2 (10 innings)
The game remained scoreless.until the Giants scored twice in the bottom of the 8th inning to take a 2-0 lead. The Pirates tied it in the 9th when Ethan Workinger and Max Anderson hot back-to-back home runs, and scored the go-ahead run on Anderson's bases-loaded walk in the 10th.
WP: J. Garza (1-0)
LP: D. Williams (1-2)
SV: Y. De Los Santos (14)
Record: 43-34

[TribeTown]

Game #78 – June 21 – Atlanta 9, Pittsburgh 8
The Pirates scored 5 times in the bottom of the 2nd inning and led 6-1, but Atlanta scored 4 times in the 4th and twice in the 5th to take the lead.
WP: A. Ashby (2-0)
LP: Q. Priester (5-5)
SV: S. Strider (18)
Record: 43-35

TRANSACTION: Placed Chris Rodriguez on the 15-day Injured List (back tightness). Optioned Lucas Reyes to AAA Indianapolis. Activated Shane Bieber and Masayoshi Oshima. Designated Connor Prielipp for assignment.

Game #79 – June 22 – Atlanta 5, Pittsburgh 1
Joey Gallo doubled home the go-ahead run to break a 1-1 tie in the 5th inning. Atlanta added 3 more runs in the 6th.
WP: I. Anderson (7-6)
LP: C. Smith (4-4)
Record: 43-36

Game #80 – June 23 – Atlanta 4, Pittsburgh 0
Eury Perez was masterful. The Pirates managed just 1 hit, a double by Connor Shouse in the 8th.
WP: E. Perez (5-5)
LP: J. Baumeister (6-5)
Record: 43-37

TRANSACTIONS: Traded Jackson Merrill, Luke Little, and minor league P David Guerrero to Miami in exchange for P Sam Carlson, P Junior Santos, and minor league SS Colin Houck.

Placed Drew Rasmussen on the 15-day Injured List (forearm stiffness). Optioned Collin McKinney to AAA Indianapolis. Activated Chris Rodriguez from rehab assignment.

The Pirates traded Merrill, who had been an important role player on 2 championship teams but was not going to get more chances in Pittsburgh. Little has a great arm and has had a good year, but his questionable control causes doubts about his long-term prospects. Carlson quality stuff and excellent control. He has been a solid rotation piece for Miami and will join the Pirates rotation. Santos is a power reliever who can help in the backend of the bullpen. Houck is a mid-level prospect with a solid bat who is most likely to fill a utility role in the majors.

Game #81 – June 24 – LA Dodgers 12, Pittsburgh 1
The Dodgers mauled the Pirates, pounding out 16 hits, including 3 home runs. Shane Bieber made his 2029 debut and had a rough time, but most of the damage came against the Pittsburgh bullpen. The Pirates managed just 4 hits.
WP: E. Hancock (10-4)
LP: S. Bieber (0-1)
Record: 43-38

Game #82 – June 25 – LA Dodgers 7, Pittsburgh 3
The Pirates dropped their 5th game in a row as Matthew Buchanan pitched a strong game. The Dodgers broke it open with a 5-run 7th.
WP: M. Buchanan (6-5)
LP: K. Nishida (10-4)
Record: 43-39

Game #83 – June 26 – Pittsburgh 3, LA Dodgers 1
Sam Carlson had a strong Pirates debut, pitching 5 innings of 1-hit ball. Jacob Gonzalez doubled home a run in the top of the 4th inning to give Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead. Masayoshi Oshima singled home a run in the 5th, and Jake Morrow drove in a run in the 6th.
WP: S. Carlson (1-0)
LP: W. Buehler (7-6)
SV: Y. De Los Santos (15)
Record: 44-39

TRANSACTIONS: Signed team trainer Rick Jameson to a contract extension. Assigned Connor Priest(who cleared waivers) to AAA Indianapolis. Designated Colby Holcombe and Luke Rodriguez for assignment. Assigned Colon Houck to AAA Indianapolis. Placed Sam Carlson and Junior Santos on the active roster. Sent Jack Weisenberger to AAA on a rehab assignment.

June 27 – Off Day

TRANSACTION: Optioned Kyrin Long to AAA Indianapolis.

Game #84 – June 28 – Pittsburgh 14, Arizona 4
Pirates bats came alive as the team pounded out 15 hits. Ethan Workinger hit a bases-clearing double in the 2nd inning to give Pittsburgh a 5-1 lead. Max Anderson went 4-5, hitting 2 home runs and driving in 6.
WP: J. Baumeister (7-5)
LP: J. Kowar (8-6)
Record: 45-39

Game #85 – June 29 – Arizona 7, Pittsburgh 5
Masayoshi Oshima hit 2 home runs but it was not enough to overcome the Diamondbacks. Arizona scored 4 times in the bottom of the 7th inning to take the lead.
WP: J. Snyder (1-0)
LP: J. Garza (1-1)
Record: 45-40

TRANSACTION: Signed pitching coach Doug Willey to a contract extension.

Game #86 – June 30 – Arizona 4, Pittsburgh 3
Arizona took the lead in the bottom of the 7th inning on Jesse Winkler's 2-run double.
WP: M. Carlson (5-5)
LP: C. Smith (4-5)
Record: 45-41

[TribeTown]

After a hiatus, the Buccos are back --

JUNE 20229 IN REVIEW

The Pirates struggled to find consistency. After a good start to the month,.they went 5-11 during the second half of June and finished 12-15 for the month. At 45-41, they are 6 ½ games behind the Cubs in the NL Central and 4th in the Wild Card race.

THIS MONTH IN THE MLB

Atlanta (51-36) has a 3 game lead over Miami in the NL East. Chicago (53-35) leads the Central, and San Diego (57-30) leads the West by 9 ½ games.

In the American League, Baltimore (51-36) has a 6 game lead in the East, Cleveland (55-32) leads the Central by 8, and Seattle (55-32) holds a 1 game lead over Seattle in the West.

• June 3 – Toronto 1B Vladimir Guerrero smacked home run #400 in a 4-3 win over the Angels.
  
• June 4 – Cubs RP Dennis Santana suffered a torn labrum and will miss the rest of the season.
  
• June 9 – Cardinals SP Lucas Giolito will miss the rest of the season with a torn labrum.
  
• June 10 – Milwaukee OF Christian Yelich collected career hit #2000 in a 12+6 win over K. C.
  
• June 11 – Toronto SP Ryan Cusick will miss the rest of the season with a ruptured UCL.
  
• June 12 – Orioles SP will be out for 14 months with a torn UCL.
  
• July 12 – Kansas City 1B Brandon Drury belted 5 hits (5-7) in an 11-8 loss to Atlanta.
  
• June 29 – San Diego 2B Victor Acosta had a 5 hit day as the Padres beat the Nationals.

DOWN ON THE FARM

Altoona’s Matthew Champion went 5-5 as the Curve beat New Hampshire 8-1.