Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here’s your day in sports for Saturday, August 29, 2015.
What’s on tap for today:
The Steelers (1-2) will make the four hour journey north to Buffalo, New York to take on the Bills (1-1) at 4:00 p.m. in their fourth of five preseason contests. Defensive end Stephon Tuitt (ankle) is out, while quarterback Michael Vick may make his Steelers debut. KDKA-TV
The Pirates (78-49) will host the Colorado Rockies (51-74) at 7:05 p.m. for the second game of their three-game series. Red-hot J.A. Happ (left) will take the mound for the Bucs while Colorado will counter with fellow left-hander Chris Rusin. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh
The Wild Things (38-45) are in the midst of their final home stand of the season against the Evansville Otters (46-41). First pitch from Consol Energy Park is at 7:05. WJPA-FM
The Riverhounds (9-9-5) need to pick up a win against Louisville City FC (13-4-6) to get back into the playoff picture in the USL Eastern Conference. Kickoff is at 7:30 from Louisville Slugger Field. Riverhounds.com
Pittsburgh headlines:
The Rockies made it interesting, but a clutch pinch hit from Josh Harrison and some stellar defense from Gregory Polanco propelled the Bucs to a 5-3 series opening-win at PNC Park on Friday night.
From high school basketball to a stint as a mascot, Pirates broadcaster Greg Brown has taken a long, strange road to the top of his profession.
Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey (right) is expected to miss up to 10 weeks weeks while recovering from his broken ankle.
Despite last year’s issues and the unit’s remaining question marks, our Gar Bercury thinks you shouldn’t give up on the Steelers defense just yet.
Faceoff Friday: two of our writers debated whether or not Michael Vick is a good fit for the Steelers backup quarterback job.
First year head coach Pat Narduzzi will have four seniors as captains to help him lead the Pitt Panthers in 2015.
The Penguins locked-up their top pick in the 2015 NHL draft by signing right-winger Daniel Sprong to a three-year, entry-level contract.
On this date in 1995, Pirates right-handed pitcher Paul Wagner (left) held a no-hitter through nine and 2/3 innings, but it was broken up on an infield single by Colorado Rockies first baseman Andres Galarraga. Wagner would go to earn the complete game shutout, allowing just one hit, but finished the 1995 season with a 5-16 record to lead the National League in losses.
He said it: “Anytime they’re over 50 percent … whoops, my stats are in the trash,” — Pirates manager Clint Hurdle on the workload of his relievers, specifically righty Jared Hughes, as the team comes down the home stretch of the season.
Photo credit: Buffalo Bills (main), Getty Images (inset), USA Today (inset)
