Category: Saturday Sports Slam

Sabres’ winless streak hits 15 as Penguins roll to 5-2 win

Sabres’ winless streak hits 15 as Penguins roll to 5-2 win
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Sidney Crosby picked up his 13th goal of the season and the Pittsburgh Penguins extended Buffalo’s winless streak to 15 games with a 5-2 victory.  Evan Rodrigues, Kris Letang, John Marino and Zach-Aston Reese also scored for the Penguins. Pittsburgh recovered from a sluggish three-game set against New Jersey by pouncing on the undermanned and overmatched Sabres. Buffalo’s 15-game winless stretch (0-13-2) is a record for futility since the shootout was introduced during the 2005-06 season.

Pirates LHP Brault shut down, RHP Cederlind has Tommy John

Pirates LHP Brault shut down, RHP Cederlind has Tommy John
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates are shutting down starting pitcher Steven Brault for at least a month to address discomfort in his throwing shoulder. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said it’s likely Brault will be out for a minimum of 10 weeks. The team had expected the left-hander to be a part of a totally revamped starting rotation in 2021.

Crosby, Wilson hope for ‘some clarity’ from NHL on hits

Crosby, Wilson hope for ‘some clarity’ from NHL on hits
By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer
Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby and Washington winger Tom Wilson have found themselves in agreement on something. Both are questioning the NHL on a lack of clarity between clean and dirty hits on the ice. One solution may be adding an off-ice official high above the play as a backup. That official could help referees decide whether a hit is worth a major penalty. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has doled out eight suspensions for a total of 20 games this season. Last year, the total was 20 suspensions totaling 51 games.

Lefty Cepull Field in Aliquippa Getting a Facelift from SD Project

(Aliquippa, Pa.) SD Project, a nonprofit organization that provides baseball and softball equipment for disadvantaged communities and owned by Center High School grad Sam  Dimatteo has stepped in to refurbish the Lefty Cepull ballfields in Aliquippa’s Plan 12., off of main Street.   He said the work should take a few weeks, this Saturday  is a workday and is staffed by volunteers.

The fields are a 501c3 and is run by a parents group,, according to Councilman Donald Walker

Joe Block Says Pitching Won’t Be As “Traditional” In 2021

After a long delay and a shortened season in 2020, should baseball fans expect the sport to return to normal with a full 162-game schedule?

According to Joe Block, the answer is no.

The Pirates broadcaster joined Matt Drzik on A.M. Beaver County to talk about how the Pirates starters, while playing relatively well in Grapefruit League action, will see a diminished role as far as innings pitched. Block sees that as a trend that will happen throughout the season due to last year’s rearranged schedule, and that it may open up a new level of competition throughout the MLB.

To listen to the full Spring Training Report, listen to the link below!

Steelers re-sign WR Ray-Ray McCloud to 1-year deal

Steelers re-sign WR Ray-Ray McCloud to 1-year deal
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ray-Ray McLoud’s solid season with the Pittsburgh Steelers earned the wide receiver/returner a second stint with the team. The Steelers signed McCloud to a one-year deal to give them some depth at the position with the impending departure of JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency. McCloud averaged 10.3 yards per punt return and 23.1 yards per kickoff return last season. He also caught 20 passes for 77 yards and ran for 65 yards on four carries.

Evgeni Malkin has goal and assist, Penguins beat Sabres 5-2 and Win 4th Straight

Evgeni Malkin has goal and assist, Penguins beat Sabres 5-2
By JOHN WAWROW AP Hockey Writer
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Evgeni Malkin had a goal and assist and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the free-falling Buffalo Sabres 5-2 on Thursday night for their fourth straight victory. Jake Guentzel scored the go-ahead goal on the power play with 8:24 left in the second period. Brandon Tanev, Anthony Angelo and Bryan Rust, with an empty-netter, also scored. Tristan Jarry stopped 21 shots and was assisted on Rust’s goal. Pittsburgh has won 11 of its past 14. Pittsburgh’s Mike Sullivan became the NHL’s fourth U.S.-born coach to win 300 games, and 12th overall to have that many career victories and at least two Stanley Cup titles. The teams will complete the two-game series Saturday night.

Bob Walk Likes Pirates’ Improved Offense & Pitching So Far

It may only be a handful of exhibition, but 4-3-1 and a 13-run outing make for some optimism in the annals of the 2021 Pittsburgh Pirates.

Such high(er) hopes were the backbone to the discussion between longtime Pirates broadcaster Bob Walk and A.M. Beaver County’s Matt Drzik in talking about the Bucs’ stint in Bradenton so far. Walk mentioned that the depths from which the Pirates resided statistically last year must and should be improved upon, while the young pitching staff might be ready to compete for higher accolades in a couple of years.

To listen to the full Spring Training Report, click on the player below!

Pirates acquire RHP Underwood in trade with Cubs

Pirates acquire RHP Underwood in trade with Cubs
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired right-hander Duane Underwood Jr. in a trade with the Chicago Cubs. The 26-year-old Underwood went 1-0 with a 5.66 ERA in 17 games with Chicago during the pandemic-shortened season. He was designated for assignment on Tuesday. The Cubs received minor league first baseman Shendrik Apostel in the deal.

Steelers, Roethlisberger agree to new deal for 2021 season

Steelers, Roethlisberger agree to new deal for 2021 season
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger is returning for an 18th season with the Pittsburgh Steelers and is taking a pay cut to do it. The team and the two-time Super Bowl winner announced they have agreed on a new contract that assures the 39-year-old will be back in 2021. Financial details were not immediately available, though the Steelers made no secret of the need for Roethlisberger to take a pay cut to ease some of the burden of his NFL-high $41.25-million salary-cap hit scheduled for 2021.