Category: Sports

AP source: Pirates trading All-Star 2B Frazier to Padres

AP source: Pirates trading All-Star 2B Frazier to Padres
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
A person with knowledge of the deal says the Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to trade All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier to the playoff-contending San Diego Padres for three minor leaguers. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday because the deal had not been announced. The trade is pending physicals. Pittsburgh is sending approximately $1.4 million to the Padres in the deal. Frazier was the National League starter in the All-Star Game. He leads the majors with 125 hits and is batting .324. Pittsburgh is receiving infielder Tucupita Marcano, outfielder Jack Suwinski and right-hander Michell Miliano in the trade.

Wade homers twice, Giants bounce back to beat Pirates 6-1

Wade homers twice, Giants bounce back to beat Pirates 6-1
By MICHAEL WAGAMAN Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — LaMonte Wade Jr. homered twice and the San Francisco Giants avoided a three-game sweep, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1. Wilmer Flores and Thairo Estrada also went deep for San Francisco. The Giants improved to a majors-best 62-37 and maintained their slim lead over the Dodgers in the NL West heading into a series between the two division rivals this week at Oracle Park. Alex Wood struck out eight and pitched into the sixth to help San Francisco bounce back a day after the Giants had their most-lopsided loss this season.

Cleveland’s Baseball Team Goes From Indians to Guardians

Cleveland’s baseball team goes from Indians to Guardians
By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer
CLEVELAND (AP) — Known as the Indians since 1915, Cleveland’s Major League Baseball team will be called Guardians. The ballclub announced the name change on Twitter, ending months of internal discussions triggered by a national reckoning by institutions and teams to permanently drop logos and names considered racist. The choice of Guardians will undoubtedly be criticized by many of the club’s die-hard fans. The organization spent most of the past year whittling down a list of potential names that was at nearly 1,200 just over a month ago. But the process quickly accelerated.

Steelers Maintain Super Bowl Expectations Despite Turnover

Steelers maintain Super Bowl expectations despite turnover
By DAN SCIFO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers experienced a significant amount of turnover during the offseason, yet they opened training camp on Thursday with the same lofty Super Bowl expectations. Veteran QB Ben Roethlisberger returns for his 18th season, this time behind a revamped offensive line. There’s also a renewed focus on the running game behind first-round draft pick Najee Harris out of Alabama. The Steelers’ defense also underwent plenty of changes.

D’backs Win 3rd Straight, Score 8 in 7th to Top Pirates 11-6

D’backs win 3rd straight, score 8 in 7th to top Pirates 11-6
By JACK THOMPSON Associated Press
PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have their first three-game winning streak since late April. Josh Reddick’s two-out, two-run single broke a tie in the seventh and Arizona scored eight times in the inning for an 11-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Josh VanMeter had a triple and a double in the seventh as the Diamondbacks sent 13 batters to the plate. There were six hits and four walks in the inning, and six of the eight runs scored with two outs.

Brad Keselowski Purchases Stake in Roush Fenway Racing: Will Drive 6 Car Starting in 2022

By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Roush Fenway Racing is adding NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski as a new partner. Keselowski is leaving Team Penske at the end of the season. He won the 2012 championship at Penske, but wants an ownership role in an organization to help build his legacy. With Roush Fenway, Keselowski will not only drive the No. 6 Ford next season but have a visible and considerable role on the competition team. Keselowski will replace Ryan Newman, who drove the Roush flagship car the past three seasons.

Pirates Drop Opener to Diamondbacks 4-2

By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer
PHOENIX (AP) — Caleb Smith pitched 6 2/3 stellar innings, Eduardo Escobar hit a two-run homer for the second straight game and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2. It was a nice bounce-back outing for Smith, who was rocked for nine earned runs in one inning during a 22-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers just before the All-Star break. The left-hander even earned his first career stolen base, surprising the Pirates by getting a huge jump and swiping second. Escobar’s homer was his 22nd of the season.

Steelers Open Camp with New Faces, Same Expectations

Steelers open camp with new faces, same expectations
By The Associated Press undefined
The Pittsburgh Steelers open training camp with plenty of new faces on offense following a busy offseason. Perennial Pro Bowl offensive linemen Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro and Alejandro Villanueva are gone. In their place are newcomers such as rookie center Kendrick Green and free-agent signee Trai Turner. How quickly the line jells is vital. Pittsburgh is hoping rookie running back Najee Harris takes some of the pressure off veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Finding competent line play will help speed up Harris’ learning curve.

Cowher Caps Unlikely Success Story with Hall of Fame Nod

By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
Bill Cowher’s long road from journeyman linebacker to Pro Football Hall of Famer is complete. The former Pittsburgh Steelers coach will be inducted into the Hall of Fame next month, 15 years after his coaching career ended. Cowher guided the Steelers to victory in one Super Bowl and a berth in another after being hired to replace four-time champion Chuck Noll. Cowher was just 34 when he was asked to take over for Noll in 1991. Cowher says he never worried about trying to live up to the standard Noll set, because it was impossible.

Bucs Sign First Overall Pick

By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The top overall pick in baseball’s amateur draft is ready to get to work. Henry Davis signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates just a week after being taking No. 1. The hard-hitting catcher from Louisville agreed to a signing bonus of $6.5 million, nearly $2 million below the maximum he could have signed for. The Pirates plan to use the savings to lock down some of the other 20 players they took in the draft. Davis will begin his professional career playing in the Florida Complex League.