Kevin Gorman
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Kieran's dad, Ace's son. @TribSports #Pirates and #Steelers writer. #PGH born and raised. To give is to receive. email: kgorman@triblive.com.
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Articles by Kevin Gorman
Pirates icon Andrew McCutchen to serve as guest studio analyst on MLB Network shows
Andrew McCutchen made his major-league debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2009, the same year MLB Network was launched. So, it makes sense that the five-time All-Star and former National League MVP will serve as a guest analyst on some of the network’s signature shows. “I broke into the league around the same time MLB Network was starting, so we’ve kind of grown up together,” McCutchen told MLB Network.
Despite a season of struggles for Paul Skenes, Pirates believe ‘the best is yet to come’ for ace
Paul Skenes’ first two seasons in the major leagues were historic, as the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander posted sub-2.00 ERAs in back-to-back seasons as he earned 2024 National League rookie of the year honors and won the 2025 NL Cy Young in a unanimous vote. When Skenes stopped being dominant, it drew histrionics. The baseball world wondered what was wrong with Skenes, as critics questioned everything from the 6-foot-6, 260-pounder’s conditioning and mechanics to his social life.
Despite missing 2 months with injury, Pirates CF Oneil Cruz answers critics with career year
With a swing that sets Statcast records and a five-tool skill set that is the envy of baseball, Oneil Cruz possesses the talent to be a superstar. That the Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder hadn’t lived up to his potential through his first four seasons was a source of frustration for fans and evaluators alike. Wondering whether it was a lack of focus or desire, Cruz couldn’t escape the what ifs.
‘I’m hungry for more’: Pirates rookie Konnor Griffin finishes injury-interrupted season strong
• | Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin makes a ranging play behind the mound against the Royals on Sept. 20 at PNC Park. (Christopher Horner | TribLive) Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin triples during the fifth inning against the Cardinals on Sept. 22 at PNC Park. (Christopher Horner | TribLive) Knowing the Pittsburgh Pirates needed to win their season finale to clinch a winning season, Konnor Griffin wanted to set the tone. So, he did something for the first time in three months.
‘We’re obviously better with him’: Players push for Pirates to re-sign slugger Brandon Lowe
DETROIT – When Brandon Lowe left Comerica Park after Sunday’s season finale, he didn’t know whether he had worn a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform for the last time. His teammates have their fingers crossed that he will return.
Jared Jones extends scoreless streak as Pirates top Tigers to finish with winning record
DETROIT – Over the final six weeks of the season, Don Kelly implored the Pittsburgh Pirates to focus on going 1-0 each game, even after being eliminated from playoff contention. Needing one win to clinch the first winning season in eight years, the Pirates had no choice but to follow that mantra in the season finale. Jared Jones pitched four scoreless innings as the Pirates rolled to a 4-2 win over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday afternoon before 30,165 at Comerica Park.
Eduardo Valencia hits 2-run homer to give Tigers walk-off win in Justin Verlander’s final start
DETROIT – As Justin Verlander took the mound for the 557th and final time of his major league career, the Detroit Tigers remained in the home dugout to give fans a chance to applaud their appreciation. Verlander soaked in the adulation with a smile, then the three-time Cy Young winner and 2011 American League MVP showed why he stands alone as a generational talent. The 43-year-old right-hander retired the top of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ batting order on 13 pitches.
Pirates GM expects to return, calls Don Kelly ‘the right person to manage this team’
Before the Pittsburgh Pirates played the penultimate game of their 2026 season, which saw them snap their streak of losing seasons at seven seasons but extend their postseason drought to 11 years, Ben Cherington already was talking about making the playoffs next year.
A battle of the ages: Pirates will start Kirby Yates, 39, against Detroit’s Justin Verlander, 43
Kirby Yates had never started an MLB game before but he planted the seed with Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly about making the final appearance of his 12-year major league career a historic one. Kelly informed Yates that he will get the starting nod against the Detroit Tigers on Saturday at Comerica Park, where the 39-year-old right-hander will face 43-year-old Justin Verlander in a battle of the ages.
‘Our best baseball is ahead of us’: Pirates focus on strong finish to clinch winning season
The Pittsburgh Pirates are on the cusp of something significant but are having a hard time celebrating the chance to clinch their first winning season in eight years because of what they failed to do. “That’s cool,” pitcher Paul Skenes said. “We all wanted to play in October. I think our best baseball is ahead of us.” After setting their sights on making the playoffs, being eliminated from postseason contention still stings.
Pirates beat Cardinals behind Paul Skenes’ strong start, Spencer Horwitz’s sacrifice fly
A season for Paul Skenes that began by suffering through the worst start of his career in an Opening Day disaster at the New York Mets ended with the Pittsburgh Pirates ace reaching a milestone. Skenes recorded his 13th quality start and 200th strikeout of the season before exiting with one out in the seventh. After a strong outing by the 6-foot-6, 260-pound right-hander, the Pirates relied on small ball to win.
Mason Montgomery thriving in closer role, sets Pirates record for scoreless innings streak
Mason Montgomery was one out away from a franchise record Sunday when Luke Maile doubled off the Clemente Wall, then advanced to third base when right fielder Jake Mangum fumbled the ball for an error. Suddenly, the Kansas City Royals had a runner 90 feet away from tying the game in the ninth inning. But Montgomery didn’t get flustered, even though his four-seam fastball was several ticks below triple digits. “It doesn’t change the goal.
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: GM says Pirates took a step forward but ‘not a big enough one’
The Pittsburgh Pirates are having a September to remember. They have won 12 of 18 games this month and are riding a four-game win streak that includes a three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals. Not only does that match their win totals of July and August – with six games remaining – but it’s the type of performance for which the Pirates had pinned their playoff chances.
Kevin Gorman's Take 5: GM says Pirates took a step forward but 'not a big enough one'
Sep. 21—The Pittsburgh Pirates are having a September to remember. They have won 12 of 18 games this month and are riding a four-game win streak that includes a three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals. Not only does that match their win totals of July and August — with six games remaining — but it's the type of performance for which the Pirates had pinned their playoff chances.
Rafael Flores Jr. hits 2-run home run in 8th inning as Pirates rally to sweep Royals
Sep. 20—Rafael Flores Jr. has long maintained that when Brandon Lowe hits a home run, it motivates the Pittsburgh Pirates catcher to smash one of his own. A day after Lowe hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning to beat the Kansas City Royals, Flores followed suit. This time, Flores had additional motivation. After Royals reliever Nate Pearson tried to back him off the plate by throwing some chin music, Flores decided to dance to a different tune.
Rafael Flores Jr. hits 2-run home run in 8th inning as Pirates rally to sweep Royals
PITTSBURGH (TNS) — Rafael Flores Jr. has long maintained that when Brandon Lowe hits a home run, it motivates the Pittsburgh Pirates catcher to smash one of his own. A day after Lowe hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning to beat the Kansas City Royals, Flores followed suit. This time, Flores had additional motivation. kAmp7E6C #@J2=D C6=:6G6C }2E6 !62CD@? EC:65 E@ 324< 9:> @77 E96 A=2E6 3J E9C@H:?8 D@>6 49:? >FD:4[ u=@C6D 564:565 E@ 52?46 E@ 2 5:776C6?E EF?6] (96? !62CD@?
Rafael Flores Jr. hits 2-run home run in 8th inning as Pirates rally to sweep Royals
Just when the outcome appeared it would match a drizzly, dreary day, Rafael Flores Jr. changed the trajectory with one swing. The Pittsburgh Pirates were trailing the Kansas City Royals by one run when the rookie catcher hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning for a 4-3 win to clinch a three-game series sweep Sunday afternoon before 14,979 at PNC Park. It was the sixth sweep of the season for the Pirates (79-77).
Brandon Lowe delivers record-setting swing with 2-run homer to push Pirates past Royals
Sep. 19—Brandon Lowe has brought big swings in a small package to the Pittsburgh Pirates, and his latest was a double dose of damage. Lowe set a pair of franchise records with a game-winning, two-run home run in the eighth inning to boost the Pirates to a 6-5 win over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night before 21,004 at PNC Park.
Brandon Lowe delivers record-setting swing with 2-run homer to push Pirates past Royals
Brandon Lowe has brought big swings in a small package to the Pittsburgh Pirates, and his latest was in record fashion. Lowe set a pair of franchise records with a two-run home run in the eighth inning to boost the Pirates to a 6-5 win over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night before 21,004 at PNC Park. It was Lowe’s fourth homer in five games, 33rd of the season and broke Brian Giles’ mark for most homers in a season in stadium history (19).
Pirates RHP Braxton Ashcraft blames arm discomfort on fatigue, aimed for playoff return
Braxton Ashcraft pronounced himself healthy, even if the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander was willing to admit that his season is over and didn’t end exactly the way he wanted. Ashcraft blamed fatigue and discomfort for the 15-day injured list stint that caused him to fall four starts shy of 32 for the season, saying he was shut down Sept. 10 in a preemptive move to be available in the event the Pirates earned a wild-card postseason berth.
Padres beat Marlins to eliminate Pirates from NL wild card contention with 8 games to play
Despite a playoffs-or-bust proclamation from team president Travis Williams late last September that the Pittsburgh Pirates were “pushing it all in to make sure we’re able to make the playoffs in 2026” – adding “Period. Full stop” for emphasis – their postseason hopes officially ended early Saturday morning. Their elimination from National League wild card contention came courtesy of the San Diego Padres, who beat the Miami Marlins, 8-2.
Padres beat Marlins to eliminate Pirates from NL wild card contention with 8 games to play
Sep. 19—Despite a playoffs-or-bust proclamation from team president Travis Williams late last September that the Pittsburgh Pirates were "pushing it all in to make sure we're able to make the playoffs in 2026" — adding "Period. Full stop" for emphasis — their postseason hopes officially ended early Saturday morning. Their elimination from National League wild card contention came courtesy of the San Diego Padres, who beat the Miami Marlins, 8-2.
Oneil Cruz, Konnor Griffin combine for 7 hits, Pirates rally from 4-run deficit to beat Royals
Sep. 18—After playing large chunks of the season without Oneil Cruz and Konnor Griffin, the Pittsburgh Pirates can only wonder what their season would have been like if their two most dynamic players had been healthy. The duo combined for seven of the team's 15 hits against the Kansas City Royals as the Pirates rallied from a four-run deficit to pull away for an 8-5 win Friday night before 25,424 at PNC Park. "You can always say, 'without all the injuries where would we be?' " Griffin said.
Pirates prevent a Brewers sweep with 5-run 2nd inning, insurance homer by Henry Davis
Sep. 17—It was bad enough for the Pittsburgh Pirates to endure the Milwaukee Brewers clinching the NL Central title on their home field, but they wanted to avoid a double dose of dread. Facing the possibility of a series sweep and elimination from the wild-card playoff race, the Pirates prevented both with a five-run second inning and an insurance home run by Henry Davis for a 7-4 win Thursday afternoon before 10,818 at PNC Park.
Pirates prevent a Brewers sweep with 5-run 2nd inning, insurance homer by Henry Davis
It was bad enough for the Pittsburgh Pirates to endure the Milwaukee Brewers clinching the National League Central Division title on their home field but they wanted to avoid a double dose of dread. Facing the possibility of a series sweep and elimination from the wild card playoff race, the Pirates prevented both with a five-run second inning and an insurance home run by Henry Davis for a 7-4 win Thursday afternoon before 10,818 at PNC Park.
Christian Yelich comes up with bases-loaded, 2-run single in 7th as Brewers beat Pirates
Carmen Mlodzinski had experienced success putting out fires with the bases loaded, so the Pittsburgh Pirates placed their trust in the right-handed reliever in the seventh inning. One night after the Milwaukee Brewers clinched their fourth consecutive National League Central Division title, they showed no signs of a celebratory hangover.
Pirates 3B coach Tony Beasley takes blame for costly baserunning gaffe against Brewers
Sep. 16—Tony Beasley had no idea when he put up the stop sign for Nick Gonzales at third base that the ball had deflected off the glove of Milwaukee Brewers third baseman David Hamilton and into center field. With his view from the third base coach's box blocked by Hamilton and shortstop Joey Ortiz, Beasley only realized that he made the wrong decision when he saw Ryan O'Hearn rounding second base at full speed with Gonzales blocking his path to third.
Pirates 3B coach Tony Beasley takes blame for costly baserunning gaffe against Brewers
Tony Beasley had no idea when he put up the stop sign for Nick Gonzales at third base that the ball had deflected off the glove of Milwaukee Brewers third baseman David Hamilton and into center field. With his view from the third base coach’s box blocked by Hamilton and shortstop Joey Ortiz, Beasley only realized that he made the wrong decision when he saw Ryan O’Hearn rounding second base at full speed with Gonzales blocking his path to third.
Pirates can't solve Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski, who strikes out 7 in 5 shutout innings
Sep. 15—The Pittsburgh Pirates had the benefit of a festive atmosphere in celebrating Roberto Clemente Day, but the Milwaukee Brewers had their ace on the mound and a chance to clinch the division title. Jacob Misiorowski touched triple digits 43 times in recording seven strikeouts over five scoreless innings, and the Brewers bounced lefty reliever Gregory Soto amid a four-run sixth on their way to a 5-1 win Tuesday night before 23,961 at PNC Park.
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'A little more special': Brandon Lowe embraces Roberto Clemente Award nomination as Pirate
Sep. 15—Brandon Lowe had been nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award before but found the honor more meaningful on the day he would be wearing No. 21 for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
‘A little more special’: Brandon Lowe embraces Roberto Clemente Award nomination as Pirate
Brandon Lowe had been nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award before but found the honor more meaningful on the day he would be wearing No. 21 for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
‘He’s a spark’: Brandon Lowe comes through in a pinch for Pirates before his final homestand
Brandon Lowe was called to pinch-hit in the sixth inning with the score tied, the bases loaded and the Pittsburgh Pirates’ postseason hopes fading fast. That Lowe worked a seven-pitch at-bat before driving in two runs with a line-drive single to center field surprised no one, despite his serving as a pinch hitter only six times this season. “Dude came off cold today and got the biggest hit of the night,” Pirates pitcher Bubba Chandler said on the SportsNet Pittsburgh postgame show.
'We have to find a way to win': Pirates GM has pointed words about costly loss to Cubs
Sep. 13—The Pittsburgh Pirates didn't just blow a one-run lead in the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. They just might have blown their postseason hopes. Left-handed reliever Gregory Soto loaded the bases, then walked one batter and hit another with a pitch to blow a save opportunity in the 4-3 loss at Wrigley Field. It dropped the Pirates (74-75) to 6 1/2 games back in National League wild card standings with 13 games to play.
Brandon Lowe drives in 2 runs with pinch hit, as Pirates beat Cubs to prevent a series sweep
Sep. 13—A day after second-guessing his bullpen decision in a loss that involved a blown save, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly made a pair of moves that proved magical. With the bases loaded in the sixth inning, Kelly called on left-handed hitter Brandon Lowe to pinch hit. Lowe delivered a two-run single to center to break a tied game.
Brandon Lowe drives in 2 runs with pinch hit, as Pirates beat Cubs to prevent a series sweep
A day after second-guessing his bullpen decision in a loss that involved a blown save, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly made a pair of moves that proved magical. With the bases loaded in the sixth inning, Kelly called on left-handed hitter Brandon Lowe to pinch hit. Lowe delivered a two-run single to center to break a tied game.
'We have to find a way to win': Pirates GM has pointed words about costly loss to Cubs
The Pittsburgh Pirates didn't just blow a one-run lead in the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. They just might have blown their postseason hopes. Left-handed reliever Gregory Soto loaded the bases, then walked one batter and hit another with a pitch to blow a save opportunity in the 4-3 loss at Wrigley Field. It dropped the Pirates (74-75) to 6 1/2 games back in National League wild card standings with 13 games to play.
Brandon Lowe drives in 2 runs with pinch hit, as Pirates beat Cubs to prevent a series sweep
A day after second-guessing his bullpen decision in a loss that involved a blown save, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly made a pair of moves that proved magical. With the bases loaded in the sixth inning, Kelly called on left-handed hitter Brandon Lowe to pinch hit. Lowe delivered a two-run single to center to break a tied game.
‘We have to find a way to win’: Pirates GM has pointed words about costly loss to Cubs
The Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t just blow a one-run lead in the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. They just might have blown their postseason hopes. Left-handed reliever Gregory Soto loaded the bases, then walked one batter and hit another with a pitch to blow a save opportunity in the 4-3 loss at Wrigley Field. It dropped the Pirates (74-75) to 6 ½ games back in National League wild card standings with 13 games to play.
Ryan O'Hearn hits 3-run homer but Gregory Soto blows lead as Cubs rally to beat Pirates
Sep. 12—The Pittsburgh Pirates had all the makings of a big bounce-back game that could keep their wild-card hopes alive against a division rival. Paul Skenes provided a quality start with seven efficient innings, and Ryan O'Hearn had a heroic three-run homer in his first start in six weeks to give the Pirates the lead. But the story of the season struck again. The bullpen blew it.
Pirates place rookie RF Esmerlyn Valdez on IL with left hamstring strain, recall Ronny Simon
The Pittsburgh Pirates got an offensive boost with the return of Oneil Cruz, Konnor Griffin and Ryan O'Hearn from injuries but lost one of their power bats in rookie right fielder Esmerlyn Valdez. Valdez was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a left hamstring strain, suffered while running to first base on a groundout to shortstop in the sixth inning of Friday's 12-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs.
Cubs crush trio of rookie pitchers, end Pirates’ 4-game winning streak
The Pittsburgh Pirates entered their series opener against the Chicago Cubs trying to figure out how to solve Shota Imanaga, the left-hander who had dominated them over his six previous appearances. Turns out, their own pitching was the problem. After the Pirates scored in the first inning against Imanaga, the Cubs countered by battering rookie right-handers Wilber Dotel, Khristian Curtis and Antwone Kelly in a 12-2 win Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field.
Pirates reinstate 1B/RF Ryan O'Hearn from 10-day IL, option IF/OF Ronny Simon to Indy
Ryan O'Hearn earmarked the Chicago Cubs series as his goal to return to the Pittsburgh Pirates from a left quad muscle strain, and the first baseman/right fielder was right on schedule. The Pirates ended O'Hearn's rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the 10-day injured list before the start of their three-game series against the National League Central rivals.
Pirates reinstate 1B/RF Ryan O’Hearn from 10-day IL, option IF/OF Ronny Simon to Indy
Ryan O’Hearn earmarked the Chicago Cubs series as his goal to return to the Pittsburgh Pirates from a left quad muscle strain, and the first baseman/right fielder was right on schedule. The Pirates ended O’Hearn’s rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the 10-day injured list before the start of their three-game series against the National League Central rivals.
Rookie trio of Bubba Chandler, Konnor Griffin, Rafael Flores Jr. come up big in Pirates’ win
Bubba Chandler had to find ways to keep moving around while waiting, so the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher started throwing plyometric balls as the top of the first inning lasted nearly 20 minutes. Konnor Griffin batted twice before Chandler took the mound against the Chicago White Sox, as the Pirates batted around the order in a five-run first inning in the 9-3 win Tuesday night at Rate Field. “You don’t really expect it.
Bubba Chandler shines as Pirates pound 18 hits to beat White Sox in series opener
Sep. 8—After scoring only one run in three consecutive games over the weekend, the Pittsburgh Pirates broke out in a big way against the Chicago White Sox, delivering death by doubles. The Pirates batted around the order in a five-run first inning that saw them get six hits, including five doubles, on their way to an 18-hit performance in a 9-3 win Tuesday night in the series opener at Rate Field.
Rookie trio of Bubba Chandler, Konnor Griffin, Rafael Flores Jr. come up big in Pirates' win
Sep. 9—Bubba Chandler had to find ways to keep moving around while waiting, so the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher started throwing plyometric balls as the top of the first inning lasted nearly 20 minutes. Konnor Griffin batted twice before Chandler took the mound against the Chicago White Sox, as the Pirates batted around the order in a five-run first inning in the 9-3 win Tuesday night at Rate Field. "You don't really expect it.
Bubba Chandler shines as Pirates pound 18 hits to beat White Sox in series opener
After scoring only one run in three consecutive games over the weekend, the Pittsburgh Pirates broke out in a big way against the Chicago White Sox in delivering death by doubles. The Pirates around the order in a five-run first inning that saw them get six hits, including five doubles, on their way to an 18-hit performance in a 9-3 win Tuesday night in the series opener at Rate Field.
Pirates recall LHP Brandon Eistert, place RHP Isaac Mattson on 15-day IL in bullpen move
The Pittsburgh Pirates added another left-hander to their bullpen Tuesday by recalling Brandon Eisert from Triple-A Indianapolis. Eisert replaces right-hander Isaac Mattson, who was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right hip impingement (retroactive to Sept. 6). Eisert, acquired from the Chicago White Sox in July, has a 6.23 ERA and 1.85 WHIP with nine strikeouts against four walks in 8 2/3 innings over nine appearances for the Pirates this season.
1-run conundrum: Pirates struggle to score but have improved in games decided by 1 run
MIAMI (TNS) —Don Kelly turned a message into a mantra when he admonished the Pittsburgh Pirates on Aug. 12 in Miami for playing selfishly instead of collectively amid a stretch of seven consecutive series losses. The Pirates manager challenged his team to focus on going 1-0 every day the rest of the way. They have responded not only by winning 13 of their next 22 games but going 6-3 in one-run games. kAm%92E E9C66 @7 E9@D6 H:?D 42>6 3J D4@C6D @7 `\_[ :?4=F5:?8 EH@ :? 2 E9C66\52J DA2?
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