The Pittsburgh Pirates are attempting to earn a series split after a 4-3 victory against the Chicago Cubs last night. The Cubs won the first two games 5-2 and 9-8. In the victory, Tony Watson earned his first save of the season getting the last six outs of the game. Gregory Polanco hit his first home run of the season. Today’s starters: In this afternoon's game, Jeff Locke [2-0 1.93 ERA] will face Kyle Hendricks [0-0 6.10 ERA]. Locke was a 6-2 winner over the Milwaukee Brewers in his ... Read More
Archives for April 2015
Pirates Stewart a creature of habit
When Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Chris Stewart sat down with manager Clint Hurdle and hitting coach Jeff Branson, upon signing with the team to map out a routine that would allow him to find success on both sides of the ball, they focused on Stewart's offense. “It probably started with a little bit of ADHD," Stewart said. The early results have shown Stewart, by his own words, to have quality at-bats while letting the pitcher know that he no longer is an easy out. Hurdle mentioned Stewart's ... Read More
Determined Watson saves Pirates win
Tony Watson was asked to make his longest outing of the season as the Pittsburgh Pirates were trying to hold on to a 1-run lead against the Chicago Cubs. Watson ended up getting the job done earning his first save of the season and the Pirates won by a 4-3 score. “It turned into a plan B where he had to go get six outs and he went out and got them," manager Clint Hurdle said. "He’s shown grit, he’s shown ability, he’s shown skill. It was a very gritty performance to get six outs and keep ... Read More
Pens start strong, but fall in overtime
The Pittsburgh Penguins came into Wednesday night knowing that they needed to improve in the poor first period starts that had resulted in no goals and just 13 shots over the first three games. The Penguins turned that trend on its ear in Game 4, scoring the opening goal for the first time in the series, and dominating the Rangers through the first 20 minutes, but came away with just a 1-0 lead. The Penguins’ failure to improve their early advantage was crucial as the Rangers came back to win ... Read More
Pirates pregame 4/22: Kang, Hughes, Melancon discussed
The Chicago Cubs have won the first two games in this series, however the Pittsburgh Pirates still have an opportunity to earn a split if it were to match the aforementioned accomplishment. In last night's contest, the lead went back and forth, however the Pirates bullpen allowed an 8-5 lead to slip away in a 9-8 loss. Mark Melancon blew his first save in a 3-run top of the ninth inning. Tonight’s starters: In tonight's game Vance Worley [1-1 5.84 ERA] will take to the mound against ... Read More
First period failures standing between Pens, victory
The Pittsburgh Penguins, down two games to one in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals to the New York Rangers, do not face a must-win situation in Game 4 tonight at Consol Energy Center. It does feels like one, though. A win would send the Penguins back to New York with the series evened and assured that a pivotal Game 6 would be played on home ice. With a loss, the Penguins will face elimination in Madison Square Garden on Friday, and would have to win three straight games to move on to ... Read More
Predicting every game on the Steelers 2015 schedule
A year ago the Pittsburgh Steelers returned to the postseason after taking advantage of a very weak schedule that featured both the AFC and NFC South. That isn’t the case this season as the Steelers have the toughest schedule in the NFL on paper. While a lot can change after next week’s NFL Draft, let’s take a look at how the Steelers could fare in 2015 as I predict the outcome of every game on their schedule. Week 1 at New England Patriots The Steelers open up with the defending ... Read More
Pirates, Melancon lose lead, game in ninth
The Pittsburgh Pirates could not hold an 8-5 lead and Mark Melancon blew his first save of the season falling 9-8 to the Chicago Cubs Tuesday. It was the Cubs that scored first in the top half of the opening inning. Francisco Liriano walked Dexter Fowler and hit Anthony Rizzo with a pitch putting the first two batters on base. Kris Bryant picked back up where he left off Monday with a double that scored Fowler. The Pirates got the run back in the first inning scoring in the frame for the ... Read More
Steelers release schedule, open season at New England
The NFL released their schedules throughout the league on Tuesday, and the Steelers will be one of the first teams the country sees to kick-off the NFL season. While little time will be wasted, the opponent isn't ideal, as the Steelers will kick-off the NFL season against the Super Bowl Champs, the New England Patriots. The two teams will go to battle on Thursday, Sept. 10, in Foxboro. From there, the Steelers will return home to host the San Francisco 49ers, before heading to St. Louis to ... Read More
Pirates pregame 4/21: Team faces left-hander for first time
The Pittsburgh Pirates continue its series against the Chicago Cubs tonight at 7:05 p.m. This is the second of four games. Last night the Pirates fell 5-2 due in large part to a three-run seventh inning against Arquimedes Caminero. Tonight’s starters: Starting for the Pirates in this contest is Francisco Liriano [0-1 2.08 ERA]. Liriano is 4-2 with a 2.30 ERA in nine career starts against the Cubs. Liriano went 1-0 with a 1.20 ERA in three starts last season against them. Liriano also has ... Read More