THE BLACK-N-GOLD NEWS
PIRATES
Boy were our Pirates glad to turn the calendar to the month of July because they've gotten hotter than a firecracker in a fire pit this past week. Some of their prospects that are in the pipeline have also heated up and received recognition for their play.
The following members of the Double A Altoona Curve were named to the Eastern League All-Star Game: 1B Edwin Espinal, LH Jared Lakind, RH Tyler Eppler and OF Harold Ramirez. Congrats to all!
The Pirates welcomed July by winning the opener last Friday night in their series in Oakland 7-3. They found the win column again on Saturday in a 4-2, 10-inning win. They completed the sweep on Sunday with a 6-3 victory.
Roster moves were plentiful this week. The Bucs claimed C Eric Fryer off waivers from St Louie. To make room for the new backstop, they designated for assignment RH Rob Scahill. They also placed C Chris Stewart on the 15 day DL with a knee and RH Jameson Taillon on the 15 day DL due to right shoulder fatigue. Get well soon, Jamo and Stew!
There was some good news on the injury-front. RH Gerrit Cole began his rehab assignment at Triple A Indy. Also, RH Ryan Vogelsong worked a simulated game on his way back from injury. And C Francisco Cervelli started working with the bat as he comes back from a broken hamate bone in his left hand.
The Pirates provided the fireworks in their 4th of July series opener in St Louie on Monday, winning 4-2. They won Tuesday's tilt 5-2.
The Bucs announced that RH Mark Melancon would represent the team next Tuesday at the All-Star Game in San Diego. It will be the Shark's 3rd All-Star appearance. Congrats, Mark! LF Starling Marte is one of the players involved in the NL Final Vote. You have until 4pm today to vote for the Marte Partay to join the Shark in San Diego. Vote Marte!
Unfortunately, OF Austin Meadows won't make his appearance in the Futures Game in San Diego on Sunday. Meadows has been sidelined with an injury. Get well soon, Austin.
LH Steven Brault was called up for a spot start against St Louie. The Bucs DFA'd C Jacob Stallings to make room. Stallings cleared waivers and returned to Triple A Indy.
On a more serious note, it was announced this week that Pirates 3B Jung Ho Kang is under investigation for sexual assault by the Chicago police department. The alleged incident was said to have occurred when the Bucs were in Chicago back on June 17. As of yet, no charges have been filed.
Following his spot start, Brault was returned to Indy while LH Kyle Lobstein was recalled from Indy. The Pirates won their 7th straight on Wednesday, a 7-5 win over St Louie. The win was also their 6th come-from-behind win. The Buccos closed out their series in St Louie yesterday. They called up highly-touted RH Tyler Glasnow from Indy for the start. Lobstein was sent back down to Indy. Unfortunately, the streak came to a halt with a 5-1 loss. Glasnow showed us some reasons he was the Pirates #1 prospect but still suffered the loss.
All in all it was an excellent road trip, going 7-2. They now return home tonight for a 3-game set with the NL Central-leading Cubs before the All-Star break. Following a woeful June, the Bucs have managed to get themselves back in the playoff conversation. If they want their voices to be heard, they've got to have a good showing this weekend against Chicago. So far this season, they've only beaten the Cubs once. Let's Go Bucs!!!!!
STEELERS
Mrs. Black-N-Gold just checked her notes (twice) and sees no significant news on our Steelers this week. She did hear that RB Le'Veon Bell made some noise. Apparently, LBell has released some rap tunes and the lyrics on one of the songs says something to the affect that he needs "15 mil" a year once his current deal runs out this year. How about that? I just busted my own rhyme without even tryin'. I don't know if Bell go the memo, but the Steelers don't air their laundry in public like that when they do business. Especially to a running back coming off a knee injury who has a bit of a history with the injury bug. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Training camp opens at the end of the month. Let's Go Steelers!!!!!!
PENGUINS
It's the offseason for our Pens but they made some news this week with the start of free agency. They lost G Jeff Zatkoff, who signed with the LA Kings.
They did manage to sign assistant coach Jacques Martin to a 2 year contract extension.
Lots and lots of 2 way deals were made. The Pens signed D Chad Ruhwedel to a 1 year, 2 way contract. Also receiving such deals were Ds Steve Olesky, Stuart Percy, David Warsofsky, and Cameron Gaunce and Fs Tom Sestito and Garrett Wilson.
GM Jim Rutherford signed a 3 year contract extension.
And former Pens GM Ray Shero signed D Ben Lovejoy to a 3 year deal in New Jersey.
C Matt Cullen and D Justin Schultz are still on the open market with a chance of returning to Pittsburgh. Let's Go Pens!!!
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