The Pirates are getting hot at the right time. They stormed into Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon on a six-game winning streak and ace Gerrit Cole kept things rolling as he and the bullpen held the Cubs to just two runs in a 3-2 series-opening victory for the visiting Bucs. Cole gave up just four hits and one run while striking out eight over seven innings of work. He helped his own cause with some offensive work in the top of the third inning. Jordy Mercer set the table with a ... Read More
AM Joe: Bucs face Cubs in crucial NL Central matchup
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 ... Read More
Pens announce schedule for ‘Pittsburgh Gold’ alternates
“Pittsburgh Gold” is back. The Penguins hugely popular throwback alternate jerseys that were introduced last season will make a return appearance for the 2015-16 campaign, the team announced on Thursday. The Penguins will wear their third sweaters 11 times at Consol Energy Center this season: Thurs. Oct. 29 vs. Buffalo Wed. Nov. 11 vs. Montreal Tue. Nov. 17 vs. Minnesota Sat. Nov. 28 vs. Edmonton Fri. Dec. 18 vs. Boston Sat. Jan. 2 vs. New York Islanders Thurs. Jan. 21 vs. ... Read More
AM Joe: Bucs clinch; go for four-game sweep today
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Thursday, September 24, 2015. What's on tap for today: Pirates (92-60) will have an afternoon contest against against the Colorado Rockies (63-80). Despite earning a playoff berth last night, the Bucs still have work to do, as they trail the St. Louis Cardinals by four games in the NL Central. Jeff Locke will make what could be his final start of his season against Chad Bettis at 3:10 p.m. ROOT Sports ... Read More
Steelers add Bell to roster; release Murphy
With running back Le’Veon Bell set to end his two-game suspension for this Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Rams, it’s been known that the Steelers would have to cut ties with a player in order to add their star rusher to the lineup. Today, that player was revealed to be wide receiver Tyler Murphy. Murphy, an undrafted rookie, had caught one pass for 16 yards in the season opener at New England. It was the only time he was targeted with a pass over the first two games. Murphy, 23, ... Read More
Penguins make two roster moves
The Penguins made a pair of minor cuts on Wednesday morning after their second preseason game. General manager Jim Rutherford announced that right-wingers Tom Kostopoulos and Jaden Lindo have been cut from the training camp roster. Kostopoulos, 36, is the captain of the Penguins American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and will report to their training camp, which begins later this week. He is under an AHL contract for the 2015-16 season, and as a result, will not have to clear ... Read More
AM Joe: Pens host Canes in preseason home opener
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Tuesday, September 21, 2015. What's on tap for today: The Penguins (1-0-0) will skate at Consol Energy Center for the first time in the 2015-16 season. The Pens will host the Carolina Hurricanes tonight at 7:00 p.m. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury, Kris Letang and Phil Kessel (above) are all expected to play for the Pens. 105.9 WXDX-FM Pirates (90-60) lefty J.A. Happ will continue his audition for a spot in the postseason ... Read More
Pirates call up Broxton; move Kang to 60-day DL
The Pittsburgh Pirates have selected the contract of outfielder Keon Broxton from their Triple-A affiliate, the Indianapolis Indians. The Indians season ended over the weekend with a 3-0 loss to the Columbus Clippers in Game 5 of the International League final. Broxton, 25, hit .256 for the Indians in 88 games after being promoted from Double-A Altoona midseason. He had 80 hits, 42 RBIs and 28 stolen bases in his first Triple-A action. He has played all three outfield positions, with ... Read More
AM Joe: Bucs in Denver as manager Hurdle faces former squad
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Sunday, September 20, 2015. What's on tap for today: The Penguins (0-0-0) will open their preseason with a 7:00 p.m. face-off against the Blue Jackets in Columbus, Ohio. 105.9 WXDX-FM The Pirates (89-60) are in Denver for the first of a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies (63-86). Pirates manager Clint Hurlde was the manager of the Rockies from 2002 to 2009 and took them all the way to the World Series in 2007 (right). A.J. ... Read More
Week 2 NFL picks
After Week 1, it's hockey writer Alan Saunders with the early lead. Saunders went an impressive 10-5 in the first week. He was the only one to correctly pick Carolina over Jacksonville and went 3-for-3 in prime time, nailing the Giants over the Cowboys, San Fran over Minnesota and Atlanta over Philadelphia. The rest of the crew didn't do so badly, either. Our four writers combined went 34-26. Only Matt Shetler (7-8) had a losing record. This week, there is a lot more agreement, as all ... Read More