Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here’s your day in sports for Wednesday, September 16, 2015.
What’s on tap for today:
The Pirates (87-57) will go up against Chicago Cubs (83-61) Jake Arreita in what could be a preview of the NL Wild Card game. A.J. Burnett takes the mound for the Bucs at 7:05 p.m. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh.
The Riverhounds will host the first-place Rochester Rhinos in their final home match of 2015 tonight. The Hounds are one point out of playoff position with two games to play.
Pittsburgh headlines:
In Game 1 of yesterday’s doubleheader, some of the Pirates September call-ups played big roles.
In the nightcap, none of the Pirates had much success against Jon Lester. The Cubs veteran starter threw a complete-game five-hitter.
With an extra game on the docket yesterday, the Bucs brought up some bullpen help in the form of Vance Worley, writes Zachary Weiss.
Weiss also talked to Pirates lefty J.A. Happ about his resurgence since joining the Pirates.
Our Andrew Hodgson took a look at the rise and fall of the doubleheader and why they aren’t as common as they used to be.
The West Virginia Black Bears got the New York-Penn League finals off to a thrilling start as they won on Monday in walk-off fashion.
The Penguins will take 53 players to training camp on Thursday when their 2015-16 season begins at their new practice facility in Cranberry Twp.
Controversy? What controversy? Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi downplayed any potential issues between his two QBs during his Monday press conference.
On this date in 1975, the Pirates beat the Cubs 22-0 at Wrigley Field. It was the most lopsided shutout victory in the National League since 1900, and second baseman Rennie Stennett (right) went 7-for-7, tying an NL record established in 1892 for a nine-inning game.
He said it: “I told [Alvarez] I was playing short and if he hits it over here I know he is not fast.” — Gregory Polanco, after recording an outfield assist on a rare 9-3 putout against the Cubs in the first game yesterday.
Photo credit: Brian Mitchell (main), The Baseball Page (inset)
