THE BLACK-N-GOLD NEWS
PIRATES
Our Pirates seem to be sailing towards the win column more often this week, giving their playoff push a boast. Of course, the usual shuffling of the roster went down, as well.
The Pirates recalled RH Chad Kuhl from Triple A Indy. RH Curtis Partch went back to Indianapolis in his place.
The move paid off. The Pirates took the opener of their 3-game series against the San Diego Padres 6-4. It was announced that RH Wildredo Boscan was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves prior to the 2nd game of the set. The Padres blanked the Bucs 4-0. C Francisco Cervelli had to leave the game. His left wrist (the same as his broken hamate bone) was bothering him and effected his play. The Buccos answered that loss the next day, shutting out San Diego 4-0 to take the series.
Our favorite Black-N-Gold Baseball Team was on the move from there. They traveled to the west coast and opened a 3-game series with the Dodgers in LA last Friday night. The Pirates dumped the Dodgers 5-1. Game 2 didn't go so well for the Bucs. They left a team record-tying 18 men on base on the way to a 8-4 defeat. LF Starling Marte left the game with upper back pain. The Buccos bounced back in the rubber game, downing the Dodgers 11-3 to take another series.
The Bucs traveled up the coast for a 3-game set in San Fran versus the Giants. RH Ryan Vogelsong didn't have his best stuff but got the win in game 1, returning to face the team he played with for 5 seasons. RF Gregory Polanco drove in 4 runs in the Pirates 8-5 victory. The Buccos took the 2nd game of the series, 4-3, in a back-and-forth battle. The Bucs completed the San Francisco Sweep in yesterday's come-from-behind 6-5 win.
They return home tomorrow night in a 3-game matchup with the Miami Marlins. Both teams are fighting for that all-important 2nd wild card spot. Lucky for the Pirates, Miami won't have RF Giancarlo Stanton in the lineup. He's expected to miss the rest of the year with an injury. Also, RH Jose Fernandez started last night's game against Cincy so the Bucs won't have to worry about facing the fireballer. Mrs. Black-N-Gold and Brother Black-N-Gold will be in attendance on Friday night to cheer on RH Gerrit Cole and help him get back on the winning track. Let's Go Bucs!!!!!
STEELERS
Our Steelers continued to prepare for their 1st preseason game as they get ready for the coming season. We knew our favorite Black-N-Gold Football Team wouldn't be able to dodge the injury bug for long, didn't we? CB Senquez Golson had surgery to repair the Lisfranc injury to his foot. Also, it seems that the reason free agent signee, TE Ladarius Green has been on the PUP list isn't the ankle that had surgery this offseason. There's a rumor going 'round that the former San Diego Charger has been experiencing post concussion issues. He suffered 2 concussions last season. The rumor mill also reports that Green is mulling retirement due to the symptoms. The Steelers offense is behind the 8-ball as it is with WR Martavis Bryant suspended for the season and RB Le'Veon Bell looking at a 4-game suspension himself. The Steelers may want to make a decision on Green, if he can't make one for himself. They could cut their loses and cut the player. Whatever they do, they'd better do it quick. The regular season is right around the corner.
Speaking of suspensions, NFL Commissioner Roger Goddell is threatening Steelers LB James Harrison with one. Harrison's name was linked to a bogus report on PED use back in December. He, along with Green Bay LBs Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers are to interview with the Commish's lackeys by August 25 or face indefinite suspension effective August 26. The NFLPA is urging the players to not cooperate in the investigation as the league has no right to question the players based on a phony report.
The preseason kicked off last Friday night against the Detroit Lions at Heinz Field. The Steelers fell to the Lions in unspectacular fashion, 30-17. QB Bruce Gradkowski left the game with a hamstring injury. Coach Mike Tomlin didn't not give an update for Gradkowski's status at his last St. Vincent press conference on Tuesday, only saying that he is expected to miss up to several weeks.
The team broke camp Tuesday and will practice at their facilities on the South Side from now on. Tonight they battle their interstate rivals, the Philly Eagles, in a preseason matchup at Heinz Field. Get all those fumbles, penalties, missed tackles and losses out of the way. Let's Go Steelers!!!!!!
PENGUINS
Our Pens made some news this week when they welcomed back C Matt Cullen on a 1 year deal. The former free agent had been up in the are about his status. The 39 year old was either going to return to Pittsburgh, sign with the Minnesota Wild (he's a native Minnesotian) or retire. He made the right choice. Welcome back, Matt!
More free agent news for our favorite Black-N-Gold Hockey Team. The Pens are said to be making a run at F Jimmy Vesey. The 23-year-old was a Hobey Baker Award winner at Harvard. The Pens aren't the only team in the mix for the youngster but GM Jim Rutherford feels they have the cap space available to make this signing happen. Mrs. Black-N-Gold will keep you posted.
In the meantime, while we wait for the puck to drop and the banner to be raised, a World Cup of Hockey pre-tournament doubleheader has been scheduled to make its way to Consol Energy Center. The games will be played on September 14. It's a good way to see how our boys are doing. It's also a good way to get a bead on the competition for the coming season. Let's Go Pens!!!!
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