According to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Jason Grilli will be removed from his closer role for the Pittsburgh Pirates. #pirates have removed Jason Grilli from closers role.— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) June 20, 2014 For time being, #pirates will use @GrillCheese49 in ultra low-leverage situations (i.e. losing game) so he can work things out.— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) June 20, 2014 It has been a tough season for the former All-Star closer. ... Read More
Archives for June 2014
MLB Releases Statement on Wednesday’s Home Plate Review
Joe Torre, MLB's executive vice president of baseball operations, issued a statement regarding the overturned umpires review of Rule 7.13 during Wednesday's game against the Reds. It was a play where Pirates catcher Russell Martin fielded a throw from Stolmy Pimentel while his foot was on home plate to complete a force out at home. The umpires went to a review and the officials in New York City ruled Martin was in violation of Rule 7.13 (The illegal blocking of home plate). Because Martin's ... Read More
Pirates Salvage a Game From Reds in Extras
Pittsburgh-- Russell Martin worked a bases loaded walk in the twelfth inning as the Pirates played walk-off to salvage a game from the Reds 4-3. Jeff Locke played the role of stopper for the Pirates (35-37) as he allowed two runs on three hits in six strong innings of work. The Reds (35-36) got a run in the first when Billy Hamilton again hurt the Bucs with a leadoff double. He then stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly. They did the same in the fourth when Joey Votto started the inning ... Read More
Penguins release preseaon schedule; make qualifying offers to five players
The Pittsburgh Penguins have released their 2014 preseason schedule, which begins and ends with matchups against the Detroit Red Wings. The preseason also features home games against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild as well as road games against the same teams. Here’s a look at the complete Pens' preseason schedule. Sept. 22 – Detroit Red Wings – 7 p.m. Sept. 23 – at Columbus Blue Jackets – 7 p.m. Sept. 25 – Minnesota Wild – 7 p.m. Sept. 27 – Columbus Blue Jackets – 4 ... Read More
Ben Roethlisberger ranked 31st best player in NFL by NFL Network
NFL Network continued its countdown of the Top 100 Players of 2014 on Tuesday and to some surprise, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger checked in at No. 31 on the list. To some, being ranked the 31st best player in the NFL would be quite an accomplishment, but overall it states that Big Ben is still underrated around the league. That rings especially true coming off the 2013 season he did and the fact that he already has a pair of Super Bowl rings. Steelers' fans can ... Read More
Reds Trounce Pirates 11-4
Pittsburgh-- The Reds put a seven-spot in the third inning against Edinson Volquez to give them an 11-4 victory over the Pirates on Wednesday evening. The Reds (35-35) scored first in the second inning when Skip Schumaker knocked in Jay Bruce with a sac fly. The Reds left a runner on third in the inning after Volquez got a strikeout and flyout to end the inning. The Reds added four more in the third when Todd Frazier and Joey Votto reached on back-to-back singles. Volquez then unhitched a ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 6/18: Hurdle Discusses Harrison’s Spot With Team
Good afternoon from PNC Park where today the Pirates (34-36) look to rebound from last night's tough loss to the Reds (34-35) in the second game of the four-game set. Edinson Volquez (4-5, 3.89 ERA) will oppose Alfredo Simon (9-3, 2.95 ERA). DL Update -- Gerrit Cole threw a simulated game today in which he threw one simulated inning from behind the L-screen and four innings and 60 pitches regular. "From what I saw, he is in a good place," said manager Clint Hurdle Neil Walker was one of the ... Read More
Penguins turn their attention to Ron Wilson and Marc Crawford
New Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford has taken his time since being hired to begin the search for a new head coach to replace the fired Dan Bylsma. Rutherford as also been quoted as wanting a head coach with a presence, someone who the Penguins players will respect right off the bat. With that in mind it seemed quite odd that Wilkes Barre/Scranton head coach John Hynes has been the only candidate seriously linked to the Penguins job for the past couple of weeks, as Hynes ... Read More
Frazier’s Ninth Inning Homer Lifts Reds Past Pirates 6-5
Pittsburgh-- Todd Frazier sent a Jason Grilli fastball off the batters eye in the top of the ninth inning to give the Reds a 6-5 victory over the Pirates on Tuesday night. Baserunning errors cost the Pirates (34-36) early chances to knock Johnny Cueto out of the game as Andrew McCutchen was thrown out at home in the third on a fly ball to Reds centerfielder Billy Hamilton. Josh Harrison ran into an out in the sixth inning when he tried for third on a grounder to short and Jose Tabata was also ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 6/17: Hurdle Discusses Hitting Cueto
Good afternoon from PNC Park where today the Pirates (34-35) begin a three-game set with the Reds (33-35). Brandon Cumpton (2-2, 6.06 ERA) will take the hill for the home team and will oppose Johnny Cueto (6-5, 1.85 ERA). DL Update -- Neil Walker will take BP and fielding practice prior to today's game. He will also simulate getting prepared to pinch-hit during the game. -- Francisco Liriano will maybe play catch on Thursday. -- Gerrit Cole played catch today. He had a 34-pitch side-session ... Read More