THE BLACK-GOLD-NEWS
The Pirates-Last week a promising Pirates minor leaguer received another dose of bad news regarding his health. RH Jameson Taillon, trying to get his career back on track following last season's Tommy John surgery, had to undergo surgery for a hernia. Taillon is expected to miss up to 2 months, thus bringing his 2015 season to another early finish. Some more moves occurred down on the farm as the Pirates traded LH Clayton Richard from Triple A Indy to the Chicago Cubs for cash. Why did the Buccos trade Richard away to a division rival, you ask? There was a clause in the southpaw's contract that he either had to be added to the Bucs 25-man roster by a certain date or be traded to a team that was willing to put him on their roster.
Last Friday the Bucs returned to the friendly confines of PNC Park for a homestand that would take them into the All-Star break. They dropped the rain-delayed opener to the Cleveland Indians 5-2. On Saturday they celebrated Independence Day with a gem of a game from lefty Jeff Locke as they blanked Cleveland 1-0. The Pirates took the series the next day with a 5-3 victory. In that game, LF Starling Marte left with left side discomfort and would not return to the lineup until Saturday night.
Some more roster shuffling took place as they claimed 1B/OF Travis Ishikawa off waivers from the San Fran Giants. On Monday, the Pirates placed 3B Josh Harrison on the 15-day DL with torn thumb ligaments. JHay had surgery later in the week and is expected out for approximately 7 weeks.
4 Pirates were named to the NL All-Star squad as NL manager Bruce Bochy shaped up his roster. Congrats to CF Andrew McCutchen, RH Mark Melancon, and, making their 1st All-Star appearances, RHs AJ Burnett and Gerrit Cole. Another Pirate received recognition this week as Triple A RH Angel Sanchez was named International League Pitcher of the Week.
All that and the Pirates managed to go out and take the first game of their series with San Diego as they edged the Padres 2-1. They also took the next two games, giving the Bucs their 10th series sweep of the season, best in the Majors.
Thursday night saw more rain as the Buccos began a 4-game showdown with NL Central-leading St Louie. The Cards took the opener 4-1. The Bucs bounced back on Friday with a 5-2 win and reached more milestones in the process. Cole Train became just the 2nd Pirates pitcher with at least 13 wins at the break as he picked up his MLB-best 13th victory. Mark the Shark broke a club record by converting his 27th straight save. Saturday night's game was one for the ages, an instant classic. The Pirates won the dogfight 6-5 in 14 innings thanks to Cutch's 2-run walk off homer. Cutch extended his career-best 18 game-hitting streak with the game winner.
Before the finale Sunday the Pirates called up RH Wilfredo Boscan from Triple A Indy and sent INF Steve Lombardozzi back to Indy.
The finale was a fight to the finish on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball. Our Pirates scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 10th to walk off with a 6-5 win, taking 3 of 4 from St Louie. Don't look know but the Bucs are 2.5 out in the NL Central.
Enjoy the break, Buccos. You've earned it. Let's Go Bucs!!!!!
Steelers-Not much doing for our Steelers this week as they continue to prepare for the start of training camp on July 25. There was a release that RB Jerome Bettis will have his brother John Bettis III present him at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony on August 8. Mrs. Black-N-Gold is sure there won't be a dry eye in the place as the Black-N-Gold welcomes another of their own to Canton. Let's Go Steelers!!!!!!
Penguins-Our Penguins were relatively quiet this week, too. They're probably still buzzing from the big Phil Kessel deal they pulled off last week. They did manage to lock up one of their restricted free agents as they signed D Brian Dumoulin to a 2 year deal. Dumoulin is regarded as one of the big 3 bright young defensemen the Pens have on their team along with Olli Maatta and Derrick Pouliot. Let's Go Pens!!!
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