* The following is an official game recap from the Washington Wild Things * Washington,PA-The Washington Wild Things, presented by Washington Financial, belted two homeruns in a four-run sixth to power over the Normal Cornbelters in a 6-1 victory on Monday at CONSOL Energy Park. In the bottom of the second, an AJ Nunziato single, which skipped underneath the glove of the visiting left fielder, put the Wild Things on the board and gave them an early 2-0 lead over the ... Read More
Archives for July 2013
Liriano is Pittsburgh’s best pitcher
Wins can be an overrated stat for pitchers. They can exaggerate how good -or bad- a pitcher has performed throughout a season. Chris Sale is an excellent example of this. Sale has a 6-10 record despite posting a 2.69 ERA, 149 strike outs and just 31 walks over 137 innings. He's good but his record looks more like the 2013 Pittsburgh Steelers than one of the best pitchers in the American League. Francisco Liriano's record, on the other hand, speaks for itself. Liriano is 11-4, earning ... Read More
Pirates Pull Within 1/2 Game Behind Cardinals With 9-2 Win
PNC Park – The Pirates started off their 5-game in four day stretch against the first place Cardinals with a dominating 9 - 2 victory Monday night bringing them to within a ½ game of the Cards for the NL Central Lead. Francisco Liriano helped his Cy Young chances by throwing 7 innings of two-hit, one run ball while striking out eight. He experienced a bit of trouble in the fourth when he allowed back-to-back singles with one out. He would then strike out Allen Craig and Yadier Molina to end the ... Read More
The Steelers live and die with the draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers live and die by the NFL draft. Since I can remember, the Steelers have a simple philsophy: Draft players, learn the system, gradually increase their roles and then become Steeler greats. In the 70s it was players such as Joe Greene, John Stallworth, Jack Lambert, Terry Bradshaw, Mel Blount, and so on. In the 80s we saw players such as Greg Lloyd, Rod Woodson, Louis Lipps, and Dermontti Dawson. And in the 90s, we saw Hines Ward, Levon Kirkland, and Aaron Smith. Current ... Read More
Is This The Biggest Series in PNC Park History?
One can say that PNC hosted some pretty important series over the last year, but nothing compares to this as the Pirates have a shot at taking first place from their opponent. (Worth noting: The Bucs did have an opportunity like this last season, but that series took place in Cincinnati.) The last time Pittsburgh witnessed something like this, you would have to look all the way back to July 10th-13th of 1997 when the Bucs started the second half of the season in first place by a game over the ... Read More
Training Camp Roundup: Day Four
Rookie running back Le'Veon Bell was a big part of today's back on 'backers drill (Photo Credit: vader29) Two highlights of the day. As we noted yesterday, it was the first opportunity for the team to be in pads. That led to arguably the most popular drill of training camp, backs on backers. Mike Pristua broke it down. - By his count, the linebackers won the drill 30-17. Le'Veon Bell was tested often, taking place in the drill 11 times. He won five and went 2-2 against 1st rounder ... Read More
McKenry to the DL, Pirates Recall Presley
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced a short time ago they have placed catcher Michael McKenry on the 15 day DL with a left knee sprain and have recalled outfielder Alex Presley in a corresponding move. McKenry injured his knee in Saturday's win over Miami sliding into second base in an attempt to break up a double play. The Fort was hitting .217 with 14 RBIs in 115 ABs on the season. Presley has been up and down with the club, recording 41 ABs this season with the Pirates. At AAA Indy, the ... Read More
All 22: Power of Playaction
We last looked at the Jets game when the Steelers’ Cover 3 was exposed on a Jeremy Kerley 45 yard reception. We’ll take another look at this matchup, focusing on the power of playaction that led to the Jets only touchdown of the day. Personnel: Heavy Route Concept: Slant Defense: Cover 1 Result: Santonio Holmes Touchdown As noted, New York is in their heavy personnel. Creates a run look. Steelers counter by bringing strong safety Ryan Mundy in the box for an eight man front and walk ... Read More
Looking at the Approach of a Small Market Team
One of the best times of the year is approaching again: The MLB trade deadline. As always, the rumors are floating around and the fans are saying who they want their favorite team to get. Some of them are reasonable rumors, but others are as far-fetched as possible. Instead of listing people the Pirates may go after, I want to take a look at a team's approach at the trade deadline. So far, the market has been a seller's market. I mean, did you see the return that the Cubs got for Matt Garza? ... Read More
Wild Things’ late rally fails as they fall to Cornbelters
On breast cancer awareness night, the Washington Wild Things weren't able to pick up a win in their bright pink uniforms. After a great comeback effort Saturday night, the Wild Things dropped Sunday's contest to the Normal Cornbelters, 5-3. Newcomer from Bucknell University, Dan Goldstein, just joined the team and took the hill for the Wild Things, but couldn't manage to hold the Cornbelters, despite a 1-0 lead after the first inning. Goldstein pitched a perfect 1st inning, getting two ... Read More