Harrison, Polanco power Pirates past Indians, Kluber 7-0
By STEVE HERRICK, Associated Press
CLEVELAND (AP) — Corey Kluber struggled in his return while the Pittsburgh Pirates’ hot streak showed no signs of letting up.
Josh Harrison hit a three-run homer and Gregory Polanco had a two-run triple off Kluber, and the Pirates beat the Cleveland Indians 7-0 in a six-inning, rain-shortened game Monday night for their 10th straight win.
The game was called following three rain delays that totaled 2 hours, 3 minutes. The first pitch was delayed 55 minutes, and a delay of 27 minutes followed in the third inning. The final delay was 41 minutes.
The Pirates have won 10 in a row for the first time since June 26-July 5, 2004.
“This is fun,” Harrison said. “You’ve just got to keep riding it out. We’re getting good pitching, good defense, timely hitting. You win the game a lot of ways, and we’re sticking to it.”
Kluber (12-6), starting for the first time since July 12 because of a sore right knee, was charged with seven runs — three earned — in four innings. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner gave up nine hits, struck out two and threw 72 pitches.
Kluber said the knee wasn’t an issue, but he needs to work through some problems with his delivery and will watch video of his outing for answers.
“It’s one less thing on your plate, so to speak,” he said of the knee. “I feel fine physically. I feel like I can figure out the other things.”
Although the Indians hold a comfortable lead in the AL Central, Kluber’s problems are cause for concern. The right-hander received an injection after his last start and said at that time the knee had bothered him for a few weeks.
The Indians gave him 10 days between starts with help from the All-Star break. Kluber was 10-2 with a 1.99 ERA in his first 14 starts, but is 2-4 with a 5.21 ERA in his last seven.
“His fastball command was not where it usually is,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “That was probably a worry going in. He’s such a creature of habit and his routine was different this time.”
Trevor Williams (8-7) pitched six shutout innings. The right-hander who allowed four hits, was credited with his first career complete game and shutout.
“I was excited as soon as I saw the pitching matchups because you want to outduel an ace,” Williams said. “A matchup with Kluber only happens once every three years — or even every six years.”
Harrison’s three-run homer in the second came after two defensive miscues, including a dropped popup by first baseman Yonder Alonso with two outs. The error made all four runs in the inning unearned. Polanco’s triple capped a three-run fourth.
Harrison played for the first time since July 15 because of a sore hamstring. Starling Marte extended his career-high hitting streak to 16 games with two hits and two RBIs. Corey Dickerson, who had homered in four straight games, was 1 for 3 with a walk.
Colin Moran singled with one out in the second. Josh Bell hit a roller to right side that looked like a sure double-play ball, but second baseman Jason Kipnis couldn’t field it cleanly and settled for a force play.
Alonso and third baseman Jose Ramirez converged on the mound for David Freese’s popup. Alonso got a glove on the ball, but he couldn’t hold on after the two nearly collided. He was charged with an error.
Harrison followed by belting an 0-2 pitch into the left field bleachers. Jordy Mercer doubled, Dickerson walked and Marte singled for a 4-0 lead.
“It all started innocently in that second inning,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “You have to be opportunistic because who knows how that inning goes. Heck, who knows how the game goes if Alonso doesn’t drop that ball.”
Kluber absolved his defense of any blame.
“Those two plays had nothing to do with me hanging an 0-2 breaking ball that cost us three runs,” he said.
ROSTER MOVES
The Pirates selected the contract of right-hander Casey Sadler from Triple-A Indianapolis and optioned infielder Max Moroff to the same club. Left-hander Josh Smoker was designated for assignment.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Pirates: C Francisco Cervelli (concussion) worked out before the game — blocking balls, catching popups and throwing to bases — but he hasn’t been cleared to return.
Indians: Designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion was out for the second straight game because of a bone bruise on his right hand. He was hit by a pitch in the final game before the All-Star break. … LHP Andrew Miller (right knee inflammation) will continue his minor league rehab assignment Tuesday at Double-A Akron. He will pitch every other day this week and then pitch on back-to-back days this weekend.
UP NEXT
Pirates RHP Joe Musgrove (3-4, 4.08 ERA) takes on Indians RHP Shane Bieber (5-1, 3.53 ERA) in the second game of the series. Bieber will be recalled from Triple-A Columbus.
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More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball
Author: Beaver County Radio
Wanna a chance to won a mini-replica of PNC Park? Bill Roehm and David Resnik to tell you how on Teleforum.
Tune into Teleforum with Frank Sparks on 1230 WBVP and 1460 WMBA Tuesday July 24, 2018 at 11:10 a.m. as Frank’s guest will be Bill Roehm and David Resnik.
The guys will be talking about the mini PNC Park that David built that is being raffled off to benefit the Miracle League of South Hills and will make its only local stop at Arts in the Park in Ambridge this coming weekend. David is well known for building mini-stadiums of different professional venues throughout the country. The guys will tell you how you can get your hands on a raffle ticket and possibly own a one of a kind piece that would dare to make any Pirates fan jealous.
If you would like to purchase a ticket go to https://go.rallyup.com/minipncpark



Click on the link below if you would like to check out David’s website and some other projects he has done… https://www.davidsministadiums.com/
Work Towards New Pittsburgh International Airport Terminal Begins
The first step for work on the new landside terminal for Pittsburgh International Airport, is now in motion, as the architectural firms set to design and engineer the terminal were officially approved this past weekend. Beaver County Radio News Intern, Kaisha Jantsch, has the story…
Click ‘play’ below to hear the report.

Monaca Couple Injured In Motorcycle Accident
A Beaver County couple was taken to the hospital following a motorcycle accident Friday afternoon in Muddy Creek Township. State Police in Butler County report 50 year old Troy Green of Monaca was traveling on Route 19 when he lost control of his motorcycle and fell over. Green was flown to UPMC Presbyterian hospital. A passenger, 59 year old Debra Green, was taken by ambulance, also to UPMC Presby for treatment.
Pirates Look For 10th Consecutive Win Against Cleveland
Following the series sweep of the Cincinnati Reds this past weekend, the Pirates travel north to Cleveland for an interleague series that begins tonight on Beaver County Radio. Trevor Williams is 7-7 and looking for win number eight, coming into today’s game with a 4.36 ERA. He’ll be opposed by two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber, who enters tonight’s game with a 12-5 record and 2.76 ERA. The Pirates are looking for their 10th consecutive win, a feat that has not been accomplished by Pittsburgh since 2004. First pitch on Beaver County Radio is at 7:10, and coverage begins at 6:45.
Here’s what tonight’s MLB schedule looks like:
7:05pm
LA Dodgers at Philadelphia
Boston at Baltimore
7:07pm
Minnesota at Toronto
7:10pm
Pittsburgh at Cleveland
San Diego at NY Mets
St. Louis at Cincinnati
NY Yankees at Tampa Bay
Atlanta at Miami
8:00pm
Arizona at Chi. Cubs
8:05pm
Oakland at Texas
8:10pm
Washington at Milwaukee
Detroit at Kansas City
10:07pm
Chi. White Sox at LA Angels
Car Break-Ins Being Investigated In Hopewell
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A RASH OF CAR BREAK-INS IN THE TOWNSHIP. BEAVER COUNTY RADIO NEWS CORRESPONDENT SANDY GIORDANO HAS DETAILS. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…
PennDOT Workers Memorial Honoring Fallen Workers Comes To Rochester
THE PENNDOT WORKERS MEMORIAL MAKES ITS WAY TO BEAVER COUNTY THIS WEEK. BEAVER COUNTY RADIO NEWS INTERN KAISHA JANTSCH HAS DETAILS. Click on ‘play’ to hear Kaisha’s report…

Darlington Man Killed In Motorcycle Crash
State Police in Beaver County report a Darlington man was killed in a motorcycle crash Friday night. According to police, the accident took place on Taggart Road when 61 year old Kenneth Pander crashed into a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation into the crash is continuing.
Showers And Thunderstorms Dominate Forecast For Next Couple Days
WEATHER FORECAST FOR MONDAY, JULY 23RD, 2018
TODAY – SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
HIGH – 85.
TONIGHT – PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES. A SHOWER OR
THUNDERSTORM IS POSSIBLE. LOW AROUND 70.
TUESDAY – MORE THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY. HIGH – 82.
Former Penn St women’s hoops coach Rene Portland dies at 65
Former Penn St women’s hoops coach Rene Portland dies at 65
By The Associated Press
Rene Portland, who built Penn State into a women’s basketball powerhouse during a 27-year tenure, has died after a three-year fight with cancer.
She was 65. D’Anjolell Memorial Home of Broomall in Pennsylvania confirmed her death Sunday.
Portland coached the Lady Lions’ first All-Americans, achieved their first No. 1 ranking and reached their first Final Four. Of her 693 wins, 606 came as coach of the Lady Lions.
“The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association membership, board and staff mourn the passing of past president Rene Portland,” WBCA executive director Danielle M. Donehew said in a statement. “Rene was a pioneer of our game in the modern era. As a player on the legendary ‘Mighty Macs’ teams of Immaculata College in the early 1970s, she helped establish a standard of excellence to which national championship teams since have aspired.
“As head coach at Penn State, she was recognized by her peers as a WBCA National Coach of the Year in 1991 and 2004. And as our association’s president during the 1989-90 academic year, she united the WBCA community of coaches to pressure the University of Oklahoma administration into reversing its decision to discontinue its women’s basketball program. Rene’s contributions to our sport as a player and as a coach will never be forgotten.”
With dazzling point guard Helen Darling and stellar center Andrea Garner, Penn State reached the 2000 Final Four in Philadelphia, upsetting Iowa State and Louisiana Tech before falling to eventual-champion Connecticut in the national semifinals.
Late in her career, Portland also faced accusations she discriminated against players whom she perceived to be gay, with a former player suing Portland and the school in 2005.
An internal school investigation led to a one-game suspension and $10,000 fine though Portland disputed the findings. The lawsuit was settled confidentially.
She resigned as coach of Penn State in 2007.
Portland was inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame last November. “Rene fought a courageous and determined fight against her cancer,” former Virginia coach Debbie Ryan said.
“She will be remembered as someone who gave her life to her family, her teams and her women. As a player, she was a fierce competitor at Immaculata and she carried that trait into her coaching career. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother and friend who will be missed.”
Portland took over a successful program, and the Lady Lions finished 19-9 in 1981 in her first season. The next year, Penn State finished 24-6 and received an invitation to the first NCAA women’s basketball tournament.
The Lady Lions emerged as a national power in 1985, reaching the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament behind Atlantic 10 Player of the Year Kahadeejah Herbert and freshman point guard Suzie McConnell, who would go on to be an All-American and Olympic gold-medalist.
On Jan. 3, 1991, a Penn State team led by Susan Robinson beat top-ranked Virginia and Dawn Staley on the road, 73-71, and four days later the Lady Lions had their first No. 1 ranking.
The Lady Lions went into the NCAA tournament with a No. 1 ranking and a 29-1 record that year, but after getting a bye in the first round, Penn State was upset in the second round by James Madison.
Penn State again received a No. 1 ranking in 1994, but was denied a trip to the Final Four when it was beaten in the Midwest Regional final by Alabama.
That was Penn State’s second season in the Big Ten, a conference the Lady Lions would dominate almost from the beginning. The Lady Lions won three regular-season and two conference tournament titles.
The same year Penn State reached its first Final Four, Portland signed perhaps the best scorer in school history in Montoursville native Kelly Mazzante. In 2001, Mazzante became the first freshman ever to lead the Big Ten in scoring, and as a sophomore Mazzante was a second-team All-American by The Associated Press.
Respected by her peers, Portland is a past president of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and was one of 10 women’s coaches asked to help the NBA develop its first women’s professional league, the WNBA, in 1997. That same year, she coached the U.S. national junior team to its first-ever gold medal at the World Championships.
Portland’s pedigree stretched back to Immaculata College “Mighty Macs” — one of the first dynasties in women’s college basketball — where she played on three Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women national championship teams in 1972, ’73 and ’74, before the NCAA recognized women’s sports.
A year after graduating from Immaculata, Portland was named head coach at St. Joseph’s, leading her first team to a 23-5 record and the AIAW national tournament. Portland spent two seasons at St. Joseph’s and two at Colorado, racking up an 87-29 record and leading all four teams into postseason play. One of her star players at St. Joe’s was future Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw.
In 1980, Portland was hired by Joe Paterno to succeed Pat Meiser as head coach at Penn State — the only head coach Paterno hired during his tenure as Penn State’s athletics director.
“At the time, I thought she was right for Penn State, and I feel good about it,” Paterno said 22 years later.
“She’s done a great job, and she does it the way I think we want it done at Penn State. Her kids go to school, they graduate, they handle themselves well and they play well.”
Portland is survived by her husband John; daughters Christine, who played for Portland at Penn State, and DeLisa and sons John Jr. and Stephen. Portland also had seven grandchildren.
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AP Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg contributed to this story.









