Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here’s your day in sports for Friday, September 25, 2015.
What’s on tap for today:
Since losing three-of-four to the Chicago Cubs (89-63) in Pittsburgh, last week, the Pirates (93-60) have won six of their last seven games. Despite their recent success, they haven’t gained much ground on their NL Central rivals. They remain four games behind the St. Louis Cardinals and just three games ahead of the Cubs, who the Pirates will visit at Wrigley Field for a three-game series this weekend. Gerrit Cole will take the mound first for the Bucs, while the Chicago’s North Siders will counter with veteran lefty Jon Lester. First pitch is at 2:20 p.m. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh headlines:
The Pirates won 5-4 and swept their four-game series with the Colorado Rockies yesterday afternoon thanks to an eighth-inning home run by Pedro Alvarez. Jeff Locke went 6.2 innings and gave up all four runs. Joe Blanton earned his second consecutive win by pitching a scoreless seventh inning and Mark Melancon picked up his 50th save of the season.
The Bucs more subtle celebration after clinching their third consecutive playoff berth proves that they have higher aspirations, writes Andrew Hodgson.
The Steelers will look to continue their winning ways in St. Louis this weekend, writes Gar Bercury.
The Penguins (2-1-0) dropped their first preseason contest of the season, losing 6-1 to the Red Wings in Detroit last night. Winger Beau Bennett scored the lone goal for the Pens. Goaltender Matt Murray gave up all six goals against. The Pens will practice today before hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets tomorrow afternoon.
The Pens also announced the 12 games that they will wear their “Pittsburgh Gold” alternate jerseys this season.
Our WPIAL writer Jarod Prugar makes his picks of the week for Week 4 of the high school football season.
On this date in 1907, Honus Wagner (right) stole four bases in one inning in the Pirates 14-1 rout of the Giants at the Polo Grounds in New York City.
“The Flying Dutchman” stole second, third, home, and then second again as the Pirates batted around in the second inning against Mike Lynch.
He said it: “I was hoping like heck it had enough to go out.” Pirates slugger Pedro Alvarez on his eighth-inning moon shot.
Photo credit: Getty Images (main) Baseball Hall of Fame (inset)
