The Pittsburgh Penguins made their first selection under new General Manager Jim Rutherford tonight at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft held tonight at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. After speculation Rutherford might trade the pick, those rumors were laid to rest with the selection of Kasperi Kapanen of Kalpa of the Finnish Elite League. Kapanen, the son of former NHL forward Sami Kapanen is a skilled right wing prospect who struggled with injury this past season, but at 17, is considered ... Read More
Archives for June 2014
Pens Trade James Neal to Nashville
The Pittsburgh Penguins have traded James Neal to the Nashville Predators tonight for forwards Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling. Hornqvist is a right winger with a nice scoring touch who could be a viable replacement for Neal. The 27 year old forward has scored 20 or more goals in four of his first six seasons in the NHL, including 30 goals in 2009. He is signed for four more seasons and will have a cap hit of 4.25 million per season, a reduction compared to Neal. Spaling will ... Read More
Pirates GM Neal Huntington Comments on Grilli Trade
Pirates GM Neal Huntington spoke to the media concerning the trade of Jason Grilli to the Angels in exchange for RHP Ernesto Frieri. On making the trade: "It's one of those change of scenery deals that both clubs are looking at guys they liked in the past that are currently struggling and felt they were the right move for their club and we certainly appreciate everything Jason has done not only on the field but in the clubhouse and in the community and the human part of it makes it really ... Read More
Pirates Trade Jason Grilli to Angels for Ernesto Frieri
The Pittsburgh Pirates today acquired right-handed pitcher Ernesto Frieri from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jason Grilli. The announcement was made by Pirates Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington. Since being acquired by the Angels on May 3, 2012, Frieri has recorded a total of 216 strikeouts, which rank second among all American League relievers behind Greg Holland (238). He also recorded 71 saves as a member of the Angels, which is ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 6/27: Hurdle Discusses Having Too Many Starters
Good afternoon from PNC Park where tonight the Pirates (40-39) take on the Mets (36-43) in the second game of a four-game set. Brandon Cumpton (3-2, 4.93 ERA) will take on Jacob deGrom (1-4, 3.75 ERA). Hurdle's Quotes On deciding a rotation out of eight solid starters: "The volume of work each man has done is taken into consideration. You need to do what's best for the organization at the time to keep the best competitive team you can in play in your mind and also continue to have depth. ... Read More
Andrew McCutchen Likes Hitting in June
The month of June has been very generous for Andrew McCutchen in his four years in the Majors as it normally is the month to jump start his season. It was the case last year as it helped propel him into the MVP picture. So far this June, he's posted a .351/.711/1.128 line with 11 doubles, eight home runs and 25 RBI in 24 games. "I'm just seeing the ball and hitting the ball," said McCutchen. "I think I definitely have spurts where I feel good. I feel really good now and I'm just trying to ... Read More
Lamar Patterson drafted by Bucks, traded to Hawks
For the second consecutive year, the Pitt Panthers were represented in the NBA Draft. Unlike last season when Steven Adams went in the lottery, this year forward Lamar Patterson was selected in the second round with the No.48 pick overall by the Milwaukee Bucks. However Patterson’s stay in Milwaukee was a short one, as he was quickly dealt to the Atlanta Hawks. Atlanta is a nice landing spot for Patterson, who averaged 17 points, five rebounds and four assists per game for the Panthers ... Read More
Polanco Homers for First Time at PNC in Pirates 5-2 Victory
Gregory Polanco showed a sold out PNC Park crowd what he can do with his power as his three-run homer propelled the Pirates to a 5-2 victory over the Mets on Thursday night. The fifth inning shot into the Clemente seats helped secure another victory for Vance Worley, who went seven innings allowing one run on seven hits. It wasn't Worley's strongest start, but he was able to work out of a couple of jams with the aid of his defense. With runners on first and second with two out in the ... Read More
Altoona Curve to Pay Tribute to Evan Chambers with Jersey Auction
CURVE, Pa. – This Sunday the Altoona Curve, Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, will be paying tribute to 2012 Curve outfielder Evan Chambers, who passed away at his home in Florida during the offseason. The Curve will be wearing jerseys that are in the likeness of the 1992 home uniforms worn by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday and each uniform will carry a patch on the left sleeve with the initials “EC”. Chambers, who played 31 games in a Curve uniform during the 2012 season, was ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 6/26: Injury Update, Hurdle Discusses Harrison as an All-Star
Good afternoon from PNC Park where today the Pirates (39-39) begin a 10-game homestand against the New York Mets (36-42). Vance Worley (1-0, 1.98 ERA) will oppose Daisuke Matsuzaka (3-1, 2.68 ERA). Injury Update Starling Marte: "The neck, the head aren't really an issue," said manager Clint Hurdle. "He's being treated for that right-middle finger. He's gone and tried to hit, so we're going to find out what the availability he'll have tonight. It's better than it was yesterday, but we're going ... Read More