The Latest Breaking News from Kevin Newman

MIAMI — About three hours before first pitch Monday, Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly warned that his team couldn’t overlook the Pittsburgh Pirates club they were about to face for the next four days.

MILWAUKEE — Chi Chi Gonzalez looked down at the ground, shook his head out of frustration, and the Brewers reliever mouthed a couple words that … well, weren’t exactly family friendly. Another Pirates home run had sailed over the fence, this one a three-run shot from former Brewer Daniel Vogelbach,…

MILWAUKEE — Ben Gamel rounded second base, pointed toward the Pirates dugout and pumped his left fist and arm in celebration, the emotion flowing through the Pirates outfielder glaringly obvious on Saturday at American Family Field.

MILWAUKEE — Just when it seemed like the Pirates had life — and a hit — in a key situation, it was gone. And so was the game.

CINCINNATI — Josh VanMeter probably doesn’t want to return to Great American Ball Park any time soon. Pirates fans, meanwhile, likely aren’t clamoring for VanMeter to return at all, especially with Kevin Newman and Jake Marisnick seemingly at the tail end of their rehab assignments with Class AAA Indianapolis.

Three walks and a groundout in the eighth lift Pittsburgh.

CHICAGO — Kevin Newman needed a rebound. So did the Pirates. They both found what they were looking for Sunday during Pittsburgh’s 4-3 victory over the Cubs at Wrigley Field, one that helped the visitors secure a four-game series win.

A day after their 21-0 rout, the Cubs squandered chances and struggled defensively, leading to a missed opportunity to split the four-game series with Pittsburgh.

CHICAGO — As the sun finally came out in Chicago, netting a picture-perfect day that featured inarguably the best weather the Pirates have experienced thus far, their on-field game resembled a gray, dreary day in February.

PITTSBURGH — It’s only eight games into the season, but the Pirates have already enjoyed a crash course on what’s possible when you get competent pitching. And it doesn’t matter how it comes. Just keeping the other team remotely in check allows the offense to do its thing.

PITTSBURGH — Lunch time Tuesday featured news that the Pirates had avoided an arbitration hearing with their best player, signing Bryan Reynolds to a two-year contract worth $13.5 million. It ended with a victory that was even more unlikely, especially after an ugly first inning.