BLUES N'AT

   "Summer's here and the time is right for dancin' in the streets". That may be true but this summer there will be dancing galore at many blues festivals. Hip-shakin', blues loving Western Pennsylvanians get an opportunity to enjoy not one but two festivals in the tri-state area in the near future.
   First there is the Pittsburgh Blues Festival at Hartwood Acres July 25-27. Celebrating it's 20th anniversary, this year's lineup is of legendary proportions. Friday night features Billy the Kid and the Regulators on the second stage. You may remember them. They placed third at the 2014 International Blues Challenge. The main stage will have appearances by Norman Nardini and the Pittsburgh All-Starts as well as Bernard Allison. Bernard follows in the smoking guitar footsteps of his father, Luther and promises a night of blues that will not disappoint.
    Saturday's artists include BSWPA 2014 Blues Challenger winners the Bo' Hog Brothers on stage 2. Later on they will morph into Jill West and Blues Attack. The main stage will feature 2008 International Blues Challenge winners Trampled Under Foot. They announced they will no longer tour after 2014 so catch them while you can. Also performing will be guitarist extraordinaire Albert Cummings. Closing out the evening will be Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Dr. John, bringing his brand of New Orleans-based blues to the 'Burgh.
     Sunday wraps up the festival in grand fashion with appearances by the Spin Doctors. The platinum-selling jam band are supporting their blues-infused album "If the River Was Whiskey". Closing out the evening will be J.J. Grey & Mofro, straight up from the Florida swamps to the Three Rivers.
    If that's not enough to cure your summertime blues, down the road in Wheeling, WV, they have themselves a little shindig called the Heritage Music Bluesfest August 8-10. Perhaps you've heard of it. They were the 2010 recipient of the Blues Foundation's Keeping the Blues Alive Award and have been bringing award-winning blues to the Nail City since 2001.
    Friday's show will bring you another appearance by Billy the Kid and the Regulators. Also appearing will be Blues Brothers alum Matt "Guitar" Murphy and the Nouveaux Honkies as well as blues-rock phenoms Indigenous and steel guitar whiz Robert Randolph and the Family Band.
   Saturday will bring guitarist Jarekus Singleton supporting his new effort "Refuse to Lose". Damon Fowler Group will feature "Sounds of Home", Fowler's latest Blind Pig offering. John Nemeth's Memphis Grease Party will keep the party going. Tab Benoit will also be appearing to serve up his brand of Delta blues.
   Sunday closes out the festivities starting with Billy Branch & Lurie Bell. These Sons of Blues will keep you going with their infectious Chicago-style blues. Next up is guitar queen Ana Popovic. And for those that can't get enough Spin Doctors, we have just what the doctor ordered: another area appearance by the quartet with their contagious grooves.
    Yes, there will be all types of blues to cure what ails you. Better get your tickets now before they're all sold out. Until next time, boys and girls. Keep It Bluesy!

    

THE BULLPEN

Take me out to the ballgame! Your Pittsburgh Pirates wrap up their series at PNC today with the New York Mets. These are your keys to today's game 1)In yesterday's 5-3 loss, the Pirates were a paltry 3 for 10 with runners in scoring position. Can't leave those ducks on the pond! 2)The Pirates will have RH Edinson Volquez, 5-6, 4.35 ERA on the mound. The Mets start RH Bartolo Colon, 8-5, 3.67 ERA. In his last 7 starts, Colon is 6-0 with a 1.58 ERA. Score early, score often, score BIG! 3)A win today would win the series for the Bucs. Break out the Hit, Run & Score & raise the Jolly Roger! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

Play ball! Your Pittsburgh Pirates are back at it today as they continue to do battle with the New York Mets at PNC Park. These are your keys to today's game. 1)The Mets have LH Jonathon Niese, 4-4, 2.78 ERA on the hill. The Pirates go with RH Gerrit Cole, 6-3, 3.64 ERA. Cole is making his return to the rotation after a stint on the DL for shoulder fatigue. All aboard the Cole Train! 2)The Pirates have won 6 of their last 7 games. They go for 3 straight today against the Mets. If it's 3, it's for me! 3)In Cole's last 7 home games, he's 4-0 with a 2.68 ERA. Keep the Cole Train a rollin' with plenty of Hit, Run, & Score! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

Batter up! Your Pittsburgh Pirates continue their series tonight at PNC Park against the New York Mets. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)The Pirates are averaging 4.88 runs per game in the month of June. We want more Hit, Run, & Score! 2)The Mets will start RH Jacob deGrom, 1-4, 3.75 ERA. DeGrom blanked the Buccos over 6 2/3 innings in a 5-3 loss on May 26. Hit him early, hit him often, hit him HARD! 3)The Pirates have RH Brandon Cumpton, 3-2, 4.93 ERA on the bump. Cumpton is trying to make it hard for the Pirates to send him back to Indy when Gerrit Cole comes off the DL tomorrow. Cumpton is 3-0 with a 3.09 ERA in June. Make 'em swoon! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

Root, root, root for the home team! Your Pittsburgh Pirates are back at PNC where they begin a 4-game series tonight against the New York Mets. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)The Mets have won 3 out of their last 4. Make 'em losers. Hit, Run, & Score! 2)The Mets send RH Daisuke Matsuzaka, 3-1, 2.68 ERA to the hill. The Pirates will go with RH Vance Worley, 1-0, 1.98 ERA. Worley has been outstanding since his call up from Indy. With Gerrit Cole re-joining the rotation Saturday, tonight is his last opportunity to impress us even further and see if he can stick with the Pirates. Flip 'em the bird, Worley! 3)Following yesterday's 5-1 defeat at Tampa Bay, the Pirates look to get back in the win column. Score early, score often, score BIG! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

Rounding third and heading for home! Your Pittsburgh Pirates wrap up their road trip in Tampa today as they battle the Rays. These are your keys to today's game. 1)With last night's 6-5 win, the Pirates look to continue their winning ways in Tampa By. The Pirates have won 4 straight. #5 would be great, break out the brooms! 2)During their winning streak, the Pirates starters have a 2.17 ERA. RH Charlie Morton, 4-8, 3.47 ERA will go against LH David Price, 5-7, 3.81 ERA. They have similar records this season. The only difference is one is a left-handed former Cy Young winner and the other is Ground Chuck. Say Sayonara to Cy Young! 3)Since May 6, the Pirates have the best record in the NL, 27-18, to go 1 game over .500 for the first time since April. Last night, every other team in the NL Central lost. Continue to make hay while the sun shines with a big bowl o' Hit, Run, & Score! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

Let's go, let's go, he can't hit, he can't hit! Your Pittsburgh Pirates continue their series against the Tampa Bay Rays tonight. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)With last night's 8-1 victory, the Pirates have won 3 in a row to get back to .500. Get #4 with the Hit, Run, & Score! 2)The Pirates send LH Jeff Locke, 0-1, 3.76 ERA to the mound against RH Chris Archer, 4-4, 3.14 ERA. Locke has faced some tough luck, of late. While the Pirates have won his last 2 starts, he didn't figure into either decision. Lockedown the Rays! 3)The Pirates scored 8 runs on 10 hits last night. 2B Neil Walker is expected to join the hit parade tonight as he returns from the DL. Strike up the band! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

I don't care if I ever get back! Your Pittsburgh Pirates are in Tampa Bay tonight where they begin a 3-game series against the Rays. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)The Pirates look to get back to .500 with a win tonight. The Rays currently have the worst record in baseball at 31-46. Don't take the Rays too lightly. Sting the Rays with plenty of Hit, Run, & Score! 2)The Pirates send RH Edinson Volquez, 4-6, 4.67 ERA, to the mound. In his last start, Eddy suffered his worst outing of the season, an 11-4 loss to Cincy. In that game, Eddy gave up 8 runs in 2 1/3 innings. Stay steady, Eddy! 3)The Rays will counter with RH Alex Cobb, 2-5, 3.48 ERA. This season, Cobb is 0-3 in 5 home starts with an ERA of 3.30. Time for a home invasion, Black-N-Gold-style! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

One, two, three strikes, you're out! Your Pittsburgh Pirates wrap up their series in the Windy City today as they battle the Scrubs at Wrigley Field. These are your keys to today's game. 1)Following last night's rain-delayed 5-3 victory, the Pirates look to sample some Chicago-style Meatloaf. 2 outta 3 ain't bad! 2)The Pirates will have RH Brandon Cumpton on the mound. The last time out versus Chicago, Cumpton gave up 2 runs in 5 innings en route to a 4-2 win. Back him up with the ol' Hit, Run, & Score! 3)The Pirates will face RH Jason Hammel, 6-4, 3.02 ERA. Hammel was on the losing end of Cumpton's last win over the Scrubs, surrendering 11 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks and a HBP in 5 innings. Score early, score often, score BIG! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

The crack of the bat, the thrill of the hit! Your Pittsburgh Pirates try to get back in the win column tonight in the Windy City as they battle the Chicago Scrubs at Wrigley Field. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)The Scrubs have won 9 of their last 11 at the friendly confines. We need a home invasion, Black-N-Gold style! 2)Lookout out for the Scrubs, they're three games behind the Bucs for fourth place in the NL Central Division. No one wants to be on the outside, looking in. We need a win! 3)The Scrubs will start LH Travis Wood, 7-5, 4.48 ERA. The Pirates counter with RH Vance Worley, 0-0, 0.00 ERA. Wood has won 4 out of his last 5 and has a 1.80 ERA in those 4 wins. The Worley-Bird went 7 shutout innings in his Pirates debut against Miami and got no decision. He has held the Scrubs to 2 runs in 15 career innings. Help the Worley-Bird fly. Get some good Wood today. Hit, Run & Score and raise that Jolly Roger! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

Let's play two! Your Pittsburgh Pirates open a 3-game series in Chicago today as they battle the Scrubs at Wrigley. These are your keys to today's game. 1)After finally raising the Jolly Roger this week in yesterday's 12-inning 4-3 walk-off win, the Pirates look to continue their dominance of the Scrubs. The Buccos have battered the Scrubs 7 out of 10 games this season. Mrs. Black-N-Gold hopes the wind is blowing out in the Windy City for the Pirates today. Blow the Scrubs away! 2)Yesterday's game went into extra innings because closer Jason Grilli surrendered a game-tying home run in the 9th. The Pirates lead the Majors with 14 blown saves. All of last season they had 15. Grilli has given up 5 9th innings homers this season. Sorry Pirates fans, the Shark Tank has struck an iceberg named Grilli. We appreciate what you've done, Grilled Cheese but let someone else have the ball. Hold 'em, Bucs! 3)The Pirates have RH Charlie Morton, 4-7, 3.09 ERA, on the mound. The Scrubs start RH Edwin Jackson, 4-7, 5.11. In 6 home starts, Jackson is 3-1 with a 3.22 ERA. Ground Chuck has won 3 in a row. Give him #4 with Hit, Run & Score! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

Let's go, let's go, he can't hit, he can't hit. Your Pittsburgh Pirates try to salvage a win and right the ship this afternoon versus the Cincy Reds at PNC Park. These are your keys to today's game. 1)The Pirates have lost 3 games straight. Will they lose 4 in a row? I say No, No, No! 2)Cincy has RH Homer Bailey on the hill. Bailey is 7-3 with a 4.68 ERA and is the last pitcher to no-hit the Bucs. The Pirates will send LH Jeff Locke, 0-1, 3.98 ERA to the hump. Locke has suffered some tough luck, of late. In his last 2 starts, he's pitched 15 innings allowing 3 earned runs with 12 strikeouts to go 0-1. Get the kid a win. Locke and load! 3)The Reds routed the Pirates last night 11-4. The Bucs bats and the Jolly Roger are MIA. Have you seen them? If so, please return to PNC Park, asap. We need to Hit, Run, & Score! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

Hey batter, batter, batter! Your Pittsburgh Pirates continue their 3-game series against the Cincy Reds tonight. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)Cincy starts RH Alfredo Simon, 9-3, 2.95 ERA. The Pirates answer with former Red, RH Edinson Volquez, 4-5, 3.89 ERA. Simon has won 3 straight but for his career, is an unimpressive 26-21. Hit him early, hit him often, hit him HARD! 2)In last night's 6-5 loss to Cincy, speedster Billy Hamilton got on base 4 times, stole 3 bases, scored 2 runs and was a general pain in the Pirates' behinds. Speed kills. Do not let Hamilton pass GO, do not let him collect $200! 3)Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen continues his hot hitting, running his hitting streak to 12 games. Cutch has helped the Pirates offense improve as they're now 6th in MLB with a .261 batting average and 3rd overall with an on base percentage of .335. The ol' bullpen ain't what it used to be, break out the Jolly Roger with the Hit, Run, & Score! Lets Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

We want a pitcher, not a belly-itcher! Your Pittsburgh Pirates return home to the friendly confines of PNC Park where they begin a 3-game set with the Cincy Reds tonight. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)Congrats to Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen, named NL Player of the Week. Cutch for M-V-P! 2)Cincy has beaten the Pirates 5 out of 7 games this season. Beat the Reds till they're black-n-blue! 3)Cincy starts RH Johnny Cueto, 6-5, 1.85 ERA (Cue-to, Cue-to). The Pirates go with RH Brandon Cumpton, 2-2, 6.06 ERA. Cumpton has a career mark of 1-1 with a 1.59 ERA versus Cincy. Back him up with a big dose of Hit, Run & Score! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE 50-YARD LINE

      Black-N-Gold Nation suffered a horrible loss this weekend when news spread that legendary Steelers coach Chuck Noll had passed away.
       Charles Henry Noll was born in 1932, ironically enough, in Cleveland, OH. Coach was an All-State running back and tackle at Benedictine High School. He earned a scholarship to play for the University of Dayton where he played guard and linebacker.
         Coach was drafted by his hometown Cleveland Browns in the 20th round, pick #239, in 1953. He hung up his cleats at the age of 27, in 1959.
          His pro coaching career began with the AFL LA/San Diego Chargers from 1960-61. He coached the defensive line. He became defensive coordinator/backfield coach for San Diego in 1962 and stayed until 1965. He was the defensive coordinator/backfield coach from 1966-1968 for Don Shula and the Baltimore Colts. In 1968, the Colts went 13-1 and set a record for the fewest points allowed in a season with 144.
           In 1969, he became the 14th coach in Pittsburgh Steelers history. He was given the position after Penn State coach Joe Paterno declined the job and Shula recommended him. Coach's first-ever draft pick was Hall of Fame defensive tackle "Mean" Joe Greene. The rest is history. He is the only NFL coach to win four Super Bowls, IX, X, XIII and XIV. Coach was awarded UPI AFC Coach of the Year honors in 1972 and won the Maxwell Football Club NFL Coach of the Year in 1989.
             Pittsburgh sportscaster Myron Cope dubbed coach "The Emperor Chaz Noll" and rightfully so as he built the Steelers into an NFL dynasty. The Emperor was the architect for the famed "Steel Curtain" defense. He was also named to the NFL 1970s and 1980s All-Decade Teams. Coach retired in 1991, finishing with a 209-156-1 record, including postseason.
              The Emperor was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. On August 2, 2007, St. Vincent College in Latrobe, the Steelers home for training camp, honored Coach by dedicating and renaming their football field Chuck Noll Field. Pittsburgh paid homage to the Emperor by naming the street that connects North Shore Dr. and West General Robinson St. on the North Shore as Chuck Noll Way.
                He had been in failing health in recent years and passed away at his home in Sewickley on Friday. Pittsburgh lost a legend but heaven gained one hell of a coach. RIP, Emperor.

                               

       

THE BULLPEN

Rounding third and heading for home! Your Pittsburgh Pirates wrap up their trip to Miami, FLA as they battle the Fish this afternoon. These are your keys to today's game. 1)The Pirates collected a season-high 18 hits in yesterday's 8-6 win. The hits just keep on coming! 2)The Pirates go for the sweep today and overall 5th win in a row. #5 would not be jive! 2)RH Vance Worley makes his Pirates debut today against RH Henderson Alvarez, 3-3, 2.56 ERA. Help Vance to advance with more Hit, Run, & Score! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

The crack of the bat, the thrill of the hit! Your Pittsburgh Pirates continue to go fishing in Miami, FLA as they face the Marlins this afternoon. These are your keys to today's game. 1)Following last night's 13-inning, 8-6 victory, the Pirates go for win #4 in a row. Get #4, Hit, Run, & Score! 2)The Outfield of Dreams, RF Gregory Polanco, LF Starling Marte and CF Andrew McCutchen combined at the top of the order to go 11 for 21 with 5 RBIs, 2 HRs and 6 runs scored last night. Polanco's 2 run shot, his first in the Majors, was the game-winner. "The Outfield of Dreams": if you play them, they will win! 3)The Pirates will start RH Charlie Morton, 3-7, 3.14 ERA against LH Randy Wolf, 1-2, 4.15 It's flag day so let your freak flag fly. Raise the Jolly Roger! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

One, two, three strikes, you're out! Your Pittsburgh Pirates take their show on the road to Miami, FLA tonight as they face the Marlins in the first of a three game set. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)Miami will start RH Nathan Eovaldi, 4-2, 3.27 ERA. The kid is a three year veteran with a career mark of 13-23, 3.70 ERA. Typically, pitchers with these types of numbers baffle the Buccos' bats. Score early, score often, score BIG! 2)The Pirates will counter with LH Jeff Locke, 0-1, 5.11 ERA. On Sunday, Locke allowed only 1 run in 7 innings in a 1-0 loss to Milwaukee. That run came via a ground-rule double that was called due to fan interference. Locke didn't deserve such a fate. Locke and load! 3)CF Andrew McCutchen continues to tear up the league. During and 8-game hitting streak he is 18 for 30 with 5 homers & 12 RBIs with 5 consecutive multi-hit games. Cutch continues to come through in the clutch! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

Put me in coach! Your Pittsburgh Pirates close out this homestand and their series with the Scurbs tonight at PNC Park. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)Following last nights 4-2 win, Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen has homered in 3 straight games. For the month of June, he is hitting .421 with 6 HRs, 7 doubles and 12 RBIs. Make 'em swoon, Cutch! 2)The Pirates face RH Jeff Samardzija, 2-5, 2.54 ERA. Samardzija has a career mark of 3-1 with a 0.69 ERA at PNC. Hit him early, hit him often, hit him HARD! 3)The Pirates will start RH Edinson Volquez, 3-5, 4.27 ERA. Volquez is 5-0 with a 3.60 ERA versus the Scrubs. Back Eddy up with plenty of Hit, Run & Score! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

Hey batter, batter, batter! Your Pittsburgh Pirates continue their series against the Chicago Scrubs tonight at PNC Park. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)Following last night's 7-3 defeat, the Pirates look to get back in the win column. The good teams beat good teams and beat up bad teams. Slap the Scrubs silly! 2)The Pirates will start RH Brandon Cumpton, 1-2, 6.51 ERA. The Scrubs will go with RH Jason Hammel, 6-3, 2.53 ERA. Hammel has not been scored upon in the last 14 innings. Break out the Hit, Run, & Score! 3)The Scrubs have won 7 of their last 10 games. The Bucs stop here! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

Buy me some peanuts and crackerjacks! Your Pittsburgh Pirates continue their series against the Chicago Scrubs tonight at PNC Park. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)The Pirates go for 2 in a row versus Chicago following last night's series-opening, 6-2 victory. Ike Davis and Starling Marte broke out of their respective slumps in a big way. Ike blasted a mammoth cannonball to centerfield for his 5th homer of the season. The Marte Partay went 3 for 4 with 2 doubles and 2 runs batted in. Who ya gonna call? Slumpbusters! 2)Tonight is expected to be the MLB debut of prized Pirates prospect OF Gregory Polanco. Polanco was called up to replace 2B Neil Walker on the roster who goes on the DL with an appendix. Get well soon, Neil. Welcome, El Coffee! 3)The Scrubs will have LH Travis Wood, 5-5, 5.04 ERA on the mound. The Pirates will start LH Francisco Liriano, 1-6, 4.54 ERA. The Pirates have averaged a paltry 2.08 runs per game when Frankie starts. Get some good Wood tonight with lots of Hit, Run, & Score! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

Root, root, root for the home team! Your Pittsburgh Pirates begin a 4-game series tonight at PNC Park versus the last-place Chicago Scrubs. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)After losing their last 2, the Pirates look to avoid losing 3 in a row. I say No, No, No! 2)The Scrubs have failed to win a road series thus far this season. Turn these Scrubs into road kill! 3)The Pirates scored 15 runs on Friday night but have only scored 3 runs in their last 2 games. They left 10 men on base in yesterday's 1-0 defeat. Break out the Hit, Run, & Score & raise the Jolly Roger! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

Take me out to the ballgame! Your Pittsburgh Pirates look to take the series today as they wrap up their 3-game set with the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park. These are your keys to today's game. 1)Following yesterday's 9-3 defeat, the Pirates try to make some homemade Meatloaf out of Milwaukee. 2 outta 3 ain't bad! 2)In yesterday's loss, the Pirates committed five errors. That is the first time in 2 years that they have had that many miscues. Tighten up that D! 3)The Pirates are expected to start LH Jeff Locke, 0-0, with a 10.13 ERA. Milwaukee will go with RH Yovani Gallardo, 3-4, 4.08 ERA. In Gallardo's last start, a 6-4 loss to Minnesota, he was torched for 6 runs in 5 innings. Hit 'em while he's down! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

The crack of the bat, the thrill of the hit! Your Pittsburgh Pirates go for 2 in a row tonight at PNC Park against the Milwaukee Brewers. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)After erupting for 15 run on 16 hits in last night's 15-5 win, the Pirates will look to keep the hit parade rolling. We want more Hit, Run & Score! 2)Last night was the first time the Pirates scored 15 runs in a game since a 15-3 drubbing of the Brewers on July 21, 2010. Boo the Brew Crew! 3)The Pirates will send RH Edinson Volquez to the mound tonight. Volquez is 3-4 with a 4.25 ERA. Milwaukee will counter with RH Matt Garza, 3-4, 4.42 ERA. In his last start, Garza shutout the Twins for 6 1/3 innings en route to a 6-2 victory. Garza hasn't won back-to-back starts since last July. Score early, score often, score BIG! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

Schlemiel, schlimazel! Your Pittsburgh Pirates begin a 3 game series tonight at PNC Park against the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)The Pirates will start RH Brandon Cumpton, 0-2, 6.85 ERA. Last time out, a 12-2 Pirates loss in LA, Cumpton was torched for 11 runs, 10 earned in 3.2 innings on 11 hits, 1 home run. Shake it off and mow 'em down! 2)The Pirates will face RH Kyle Loshe, 7-1, 2.60 ERA. Hit him early, hit him often, hit him HARD! 3)The Pirates are in third place in their division, trailing Milwaukee by 7 games. Today is a beautiful day. The sun is shinning, the birds are singing. It's a great day to make hay with a heaping helping of Hit, Run, & Score! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

BLUES N'AT

The sounds of Chicago blues will fill the air on Friday night, June 7. The South Park Summer Concert Series heats up with the smoking slide guitar licks of Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials. Lil' Ed Williams and his half brother, bassist, James "Pookie" Young grew up in a blues-filled household in Chicago. They were mentored by their uncle, songwriter and slide guitarist J.B. Hutto. Before forming the Blues Imperials, Lil' Ed cut his teeth playing with his uncle. The band got their start by contributing some tracks to a compilation album for Chicago-based blues label Alligator Records. Their time in the studio turned into a full-fledged, debut album. "Roughhousin'" was released in September, 1986. In 1987 Guitarist Mike Garrett joined in the fun. He was followed in 1988 by his friend, drummer Kelly Littleton. The band recorded and performed worldwide to rave reviews from the likes of the New York Times, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times and Washington Times. After a hiatus and some solo albums by Lil' Ed, the group reunited in 1998. They have been favorites of the blues festival circuit ever since, earning a spot on Conan O'Brien's show. Along the way, Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials have also earned nominations at the Blues Music Awards for Band of the Year in 2013 and 2014. Their latest Alligator release, Jump Start, dropped in 2012. They will be joined on the bill by legendary Pittsburgh blues band Jill West and Blues Attack. You'll know it's Lil' Ed by the hot guitar leads and the fez that he sports on his head in homage to his late uncle, J.B. Get there early for the 7:30pm show. This is the only blues act coming to South Park this year and you'll want to have plenty of room to shake your tailfeather. Until next time boys and girls, keep it bluesy.

THE BULLPEN

Rounding third and heading for home! Your Pittsburgh Pirates close out their series with San Diego this afternoon. These are your keys to today's game. 1)Following last night's 4-1 victory, the Pirates go for the sweep today. Break out the broom! 2)The Pirates send LH Francisco Liriano to the mound. Frankie is 1-5 with a 4.62 ERA. Last time out, Frankie earned his first win of the season, 2-1 over the Codgers. Line 'em up and watch 'em fall! 3)The Pirates will face RH Ian Kennedy, 4-6 with a 3.42 ERA. Kennedy has won his last 2 in a row. Get him with the Hit, Run, & Score! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

The crack of the bat, the thrill of the hit! Your Pittsburgh Pirates continue their west coast swing tonight in San Diego as they go for another win versus the Padres. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)Last night, en route to a 10-3 thrashing of the Padres, the Pirates pounded out 16 hits. Let's have another hit parade! 2)Also last night, the Pirates were 9 of 20 with runners in scoring position. While winning 9 of their last 13 games, the Pirates are batting .315 with RISP, 35 for 111. Put the turkey on the table and carve 'em up! 3)RH Gerrit Cole, 5-3, 3.80 ERA will face RH Jesse Hahn in his MLB debut. All aboard the Cole Train. Pack the Hit, Run, & Score! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

One, two, three strikes, you're out! Your Pittsburgh Pirates continue their west coast swing tonight as they begin a 3-game series with the Padres in San Diego. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)Coming off last night's 5-3 victory in LA, the Pirates have won 8 of their last 12. #9 would be fine! 2)The Padres will start RH Tim Stauffer, 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA. In Stauffer's last start, a 12-6 defeat to Arizona, the righthander surrendered 7 runs in 1/3 of an inning. The Pirates usually make a pitcher of that caliber look like Cy Young. Say "sayonara" to Stauffer. Bring the Hit, Run, & Score! 3)The Pirates will go with RH Charlie Morton, 1-7 with a 3.29 ERA. In 3 career starts versus San Diego Morton is 2-0 with a 1.33 ERA. Grind 'em up! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

Swing, batter! Your Pittsburgh Pirates close out their series in LA tonight against the Codgers on ESPN. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)The Pirates try to take 3 of 4 in LA following last night's 12-2 crushing by the Codgers. Break out the Hit, Run, & Score! 2)The Pirates will start RH Edinson Volquez, 2-4, 4.30 ERA. In his last 2 starts, Eddy is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA. Shut 'em down, Eddy! 3)The Codgers will go with RH Zack Greinke who is 8-1 with a 2.18 ERA. Greinke looks to take over the NL lead in wins. No wins for you! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!