THE BLACK-N-GOLD NEWS
PIRATES
Raise the white flag, instead of the Jolly Roger! Our Pirates have had a rough week. Actually, it's been a rough month for our favorite Black-N-Gold Baseball Team. But since Mrs. Black-N-Gold does this about every week or so, she'll just give you the rundown on the past week's happenings.
The week started with RH Gerrit Cole landing on the 15-day DL with a triceps injury. RH Jameson Taillon was re-called from Triple A Indy to start last Tuesday's game against the Mets in New York. Taillon did not disappoint. He blanked the Mets 4-0 to pick up his 1st MLB victory. Congrats to Jamo!
The next day, the Bucs inked their 1st round draft pick, 3B Will Craig from Wake Forest, to a deal. Things seemed to be going well for the Pirates. From there is all went down hill.
They were mauled by the Mets, 11-2. LF Starling Marte was injured in the game when he took a fly ball to the face. Marte missed the next few games due to swelling. To add insult to injury, the Buccos dropped the next game 6-4 to lose the series.
The Pirates went from dropping 2 of 3 to the defending NL Champs to visiting the NL Central leading Cubs for a 3-game series. Kind of like going from the frying pan, into the fryer, isn't it? The Bucs promptly dropped the opener in 6-0 fashion.
Some Pirates prospects received good news when they were promoted within the minor league systems. Congrats to OF Austin Meadows for his promotion from Double A Altoona to Triple A Indy. Congrats also so SS Kevin Newman who was promoted to Double A Altoona. Hope to see you both at PNC Park soon!
The Pirates also signed another draft pick, 2nd rounder RH Travis MacGregor. Too bad none of the aforementioned players aren't ready now. The Bucs sure could use them. There was much roster shuffling this week, as well.
RH Juan Nicasio was placed on the restricted list due to "family matters". LH Cory Luebke was designated for assignment. The contract of RH Jorge Rondon was purchased from Triple A Indy. INF Jason Rogers and RH Curtis Partch were called up from Indy. RH Rob Scahill was sent back down to Triple A.
None of the moves helped. The Pirates still lost Saturday's contest at Chicago 4-3. The Buccos tried some more roster changes prior to Sunday night's series finale. They called up C Jacob Stallings from Indy and sent Rogers back down. It didn't help. The Pirates were pounded by the Cubs 10-5 and swept out of Chicago.
The Buccos returned home on Monday to begin a 4-game series with the San Fran Giants who were riding an 8-game winning streak. Meanwhile, the Pirates tried to put the brakes on their 5-game skid. The planets aligned on Monday night when LH Jeff Locke outdueled LH Madison Bumgarner. Newly re-acquired C Erik Kratz proved to the difference-maker with his first home run since August of 2014. It barely cleared the wall but still showed on the scoreboard. The Bucs broke the streak with a 1-0 win.
To make it 2 in a row, the Bucs re-called RH Wilfredo Boscan from Indy to make his first MLB start. It did not go that way. Was Monday's win a fluke? Boscan took the loss in Tuesday's game, a 15-4 assault by the Giants. The game was so brutal for the Buccos that LF Starling Marte left with foot discomfort. Hopefully it's not a long-term injury.
To help with their already depleted pitching staff, the Pirates sent Boscan back to Indy and called up the well-traveled LH Kyle Lobstein prior to Wednesday night's game. Again these moves didn't help. The Pirates powered their way to a 6-1 lead only to see the bullpen blow another one. On "Legends of Wrestling Night", the Buccos were body-slammed by San Fran 7-6.
You may want to keep that Jolly Roger lowered. The sinking Pirates ship dropped another one yesterday 5-3. That is the 4th straight series that they've lost.
They now have an opportunity to right the ship with a 4-game series this weekend at PNC Park versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. There's no time like the present to start a WINNING streak. Let's Go Bucs!!!!!
STEELERS
Our Steelers haven't made much noise in the news lately. Typically, that's a good thing. They did complete their mini-camp this past week. No major injuries were reported.
There has been an unsubstantiated report that RB Le'Veon Bell is in violation of the league's substance abuse policy again. Either LB missed and/or failed a mandatory drug test(s). The Beast has denied these claims. If further information surfaces regarding the allegation, Mrs. Black-N-Gold will let you know.
Meanwhile, the countdown to training camp begins. Let's Go Steelers!!!!!!
PENGUINS
Well, the confetti has been swept away as the Stanley Cup begins making its way around the world with our World Champion Penguins. Now the undertaking of the offseason is at hand.
The Pens announced they won't tender an offer to restricted free agent D Justin Schultz. Schultzy now becomes an unrestricted free agent. The Pens may still try to bring him back, if the price is right. They did say they will tender an offer to their other restricted free agent, F Beau Bennett. That's a head-scratcher. Bennett has shown some potential but has never shown the ability to stay healthy. We'll see where that one goes.
Speaking of injury, it was announced that F Daniel Sprong underwent shoulder surgery. He is expected to be out 7-8 months. Get well soon, Sprongy! The Pens signed F Kevin Porter, himself coming off a mid-March ankle injury, to a 1-year, 2-way contract.
The NHL released the pre-season and regular season schedules. Our favorite Black-N-Gold Hockey Team defends their championship beginning Thursday, October 13 with a home date against the President's Trophy-winning Washington Capitals. You can keep your President's Trophy. We want to the Cup!
The Pens took home some more hardware when the NHL Awards were handed out in Las Vegas on Wednesday night. Congrats to GM Jim Rutherford, winner of the General Manager of the Year Award!
GMJR may have been the only one to win an award on Wednesday but some other Pens received accolades this week. C Sidney Crosby was voted an NHL 1st Team All-Star. D Kris Letang was named to the 2nd team. Congrats to Sid and Tanger!
There was an injury update on C Evgeni Malkin's balky elbow. Earlier in the month, it was speculated that Geno would require Tommy John surgery on the injured week that forced him to miss the final month of the season. It was announced that the Russian Bear will not need the surgery and is not expected to miss any time.
The NHL draft is this weekend coming on the heals of the announcement that Las Vegas will add a team for the 2017-2018 season. Looks like the Pens have some work to do to repeat a Stanley Cup championship. Let's Go Pens!!!!
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