When looking at the results of the Pittsburgh Pirates' recent games, it’s completely understandable to do a double take. As hard as it may be to believe, the Pirates did indeed sweep the Milwaukee Brewers. Not only that, Pittsburgh did it on the road. The Brewers home ballpark has been a nightmare setting for the Pirates in recent years. The Bucs came into this series with a 17-64 record in Milwaukee since 2007 and were facing a Brewers team that had a record above the .500 mark at ... Read More
Archives for August 2016
Steelers tackle Alejandro Villanueva on Colin Kaepernick protest
Before he was a Pittsburgh Steeler, Alejandro Villanueva was an Army Ranger. And, as such, the left tackle has a pointed perspective on the Colin Kaepernick situation that arose when the San Francisco 49ers quarterback didn’t stand for the national anthem before a preseason game. Villanueva agreed with Kaepernick’s frustration over racial tensions in the U.S.—Villanueva is of Spanish descent—but he doesn’t agree with the way Kaepernick went about expressing that frustration. The ... Read More
Pirates secure rare Miller Park sweep
After Francisco Cervelli caught the final strike in the ninth inning of Sunday afternoon's game, the Pittsburgh Pirates not only defeated National League Central rival Milwaukee Brewers 3-1, but clinched a road series sweep for the first time since 2004. While this is reason enough for the Pirates to be satisfied by their extended weekend, the sweep was well timed as now the Pirates are half a game behind the St. Louis Cardinals for a Wild Card Spot. Ivan Nova (10-6, 4.55 ERA) allowed a ... Read More
James Harrison and Roger Goodell walk into a room
On Thursday, the long-awaited conversation between James Harrison and the NFL regarding PED allegations made in an Al Jazeera America report finally happened. The meeting lasted about 45 minutes, at the Steelers’ training facility. Harrison — and Green Bay Packers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers, also named in the report — have claimed the allegations were made up. Another person named, Peyton Manning, has been cleared by the NFL. The man who made the accusations, Charlie Sly, has recanted ... Read More
Pirates tie season best comeback in win
A simple look at the Miller Park scoreboard Saturday night after three innings couldn't have been encouraging for Pittsburgh Pirates fans. The Pirates trailed the Milwaukee Brewers by three runs. But the Pirates were able to come back, putting up crooked numbers in both the fourth and sixth innings to come away with a series-clinching 9-6 victory. Pittsburgh starting pitcher Jameson Taillon made his shortest career major league outing, three innings, after allowing five runs on seven ... Read More
Riverhounds and Islanders draw in final Keystone Derby match
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds faced their rival, the Harrisburg City Islanders, one last time this season. The first time the two teams met up, on July 4, the two teams drew 0-0. On July 17, the Islanders won, 2-1. Saturday evening, the teams drew again but, this time, both teams scored a goal, with a final score of 1-1. The Islanders got on the scoreboard first, with a goal from Craig Foster in the 65’ minute that was assisted by Cardel Benbow. The Riverhounds responded quickly, ... Read More
Pittsburgh native Nick Kolarac fulfilling childhood dream
When Pittsburgh Riverhounds midfielder Nick Kolarac steps foot on the pitch at Highmark Stadium, it's familiar—and not just because he's been part of the team since 2015. Kolarac grew up in Pittsburgh with the Riverhounds right in his backyard. He remembers when the Riverhounds played at the Chartiers Valley and Bethel Park High Schools. Being a local, it was always a goal of his to play for the team. His road to playing professional soccer started young. Kolarac's parents got him on the ... Read More
Three positives from preseason game between Steelers and Saints
Friday, the Pittsburgh Steelers settled some fans’ nerves with the team's first preseason win, in Week 3, against the New Orleans Saints. The Steelers defeated the Saints 27-14 in the Superdome. Here are three positives from the win. Landry Jones steps up Backup quarterback Landry Jones might have thought he was getting a free ride to the Steelers' 53-man roster with the injury of backup quarterback Dustin Vaughan. However, the Steelers wanted to make Jones work for his roster spot, so ... Read More
Brown, Bell and Big Ben all in midseason form in preseason win
After two mediocre performances in preseason games, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a statement Friday night. Against the New Orleans Saints, the Steelers reminded everyone that—oh, yeah—they’ve got an offense and—hey—it’s pretty darn good. Pittsburgh won the game, 27-14, but it was more how they won the game that matters. Here are some key takeaways from Pittsburgh’s win: Sometimes a ‘B’ is best The Steelers’ three ‘Bs’—Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell—all were ... Read More
Sixth inning keys Pirates’ 5-3 win vs. Brewers
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer turns 30 Saturday, and he decided to give himself an early birthday present: a grand slam, which came in the six inning off Milwaukee Brewers starter Matt Garza. It was Mercer's 10th homer of the season. Mercer's blast helped the Pirates (65-61) secure a 5-3 victory over the Brewers. Garza (4-6, 4.89 ERA) had Mercer in an 0-2 count before the grand slam. This season, Alex Dickerson, Seth Smith and Adam Eaton are the only other Major League players ... Read More