Category: Sports

GM Rutherford looks to retool after “puzzling” Pens exit

GM Rutherford looks to retool after “puzzling” Pens exit
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford says he still believes the championship window is open for his club but changes need to be made following a quick playoff exit. The Penguins were stunned in four games by the underdog Montreal Canadiens in the qualifying round of the NHL playoffs. It marked the second straight early exit by Pittsburgh, which was swept by the New York Islanders in the first round in 2019. Rutherford said the team will need to get younger in the offseason. Goaltender Matt Murray and defenseman Justin Schultz will both likely leave in free agency.

Big Ten pulls plug on fall football amid COVID-19 concerns

Big Ten pulls plug on fall football amid COVID-19 concerns
By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer
The Big Ten Conference won’t be playing football this fall because of concerns about COVID-19. The move comes six day after the conference that includes historic programs such as Ohio State, Michigan, Nebraska and Penn State had released a revised conference-only schedule that it hoped would help it navigate a fall season with potential COVID-19 disruptions.

Francona returning to manage Indians after week of rest

Francona returning to manage Indians after week of rest
By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer
CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona will return to the team Tuesday after missing more than a week so he could rest while dealing with a gastrointestinal condition. The team says Francona will be in the dugout when the Indians open a two-game home series against the Chicago Cubs. Francona has missed Cleveland’s past eight games with the gastrointestinal issue, which has bothered him since spring training. The 61-year-old skipped the Indians’ weekend trip to Chicago to get extra rest. Francona is in his eighth season with Cleveland.

Pirates, Cards Series postponed due to Cards testing Positive for COVID-19

(Pittsburgh,Pa ) The Pittsburgh Pirates were scheduled to fly to St. Louis and take on the Cardinals in a three game series that was supposed to start Monday night, August 10, 2020. That series has now been postponed.

In a statement MLB said In light of the most recent positive test results, MLB and the Cards believe it is prudent to conduct additional testing while players and staff are quarantined before the team returns to play.  More information regarding the Cardinals’ resumption of play will be announced later in the week.

It was announced earlier in the day on Sunday that Monday’s game would be postponed and then major league baseball announced the postponement of the whole series on Sunday evening.

The Pirates will now resume play on Thursday night August 13th in Cincinnati @ 5:10 EST…Airtime is 4:45 on Beaver County Radio

 

Cabrera’s bat, Turnbull’s arm help Tigers sweep Pirates 2-1

Cabrera’s bat, Turnbull’s arm help Tigers sweep Pirates 2-1
By JOHN PERROTTO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Spencer Turnbull pitched seven strong innings and Miguel Cabrera singled home the tiebreaking run in the eighth as the Detroit Tigers edged the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 for a three-game series. Cabrera’s single to left-center field off Richard Rodriguez scored Jonathan Schoop, who was hit by a pitch with two outs and took second on a wild pitch. Detroit improved to 8-5, including 5-1 on the road, a year after having the worst record in the major leagues at 47-114. Pittsburgh lost for the 10th time in 11 games and fell to 3-14.

P.l.A.A. delays decision on Pennsylvania sports for two weeks

Panel delays decision on Pennsylvania sports for two weeks
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The governing body for Pennsylvania school sports is deciding not to make a decision on fall sports for at least two weeks. The board of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association said Friday that mandatory fall sports activities are on hold until its next meeting on Aug. 21, although voluntary workouts can continue. The association hopes to use that time to discuss the matter further with Gov. Tom Wolf. Wolf on Thursday strongly recommended school and youth sports be canceled until January, although he left the final decision to school boards.

Canadiens stun Penguins 2-0 to win qualifying round series

Canadiens stun Penguins 2-0 to win qualifying round series
TORONTO (AP) — Artturi Lehkonen flipped a shot past Tristan Jarry with 4:11 remaining to lift the Montreal Canadiens to a stunning 2-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins that clinched their first playoff berth in three years. Paul Byron took advantage of a Pittsburgh turnover, darted behind the Penguins net and slipped a pass to Lehkonen in front. The 25-year-old Lehkonen found enough space between four Pittsburgh players to slip the puck into the open net. The Penguins mustered little down the stretch and Shea Weber added an empty-net goal in the final seconds as the 12th-seeded Canadiens captured the best-of-five qualifying round over fifth-seeded Pittsburgh in four games.

Breaking News !! Gov. Wolf Strongly Recommends No Sports Til January 1, 2021 in Pa.

(Harrisburg, Pa.) During a news conference today to highlight increased efforts to Expand COVID-19 testing availability in Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine was asked during the question and answer session at the end if there were any updated guidelines in regards to the PIAA and guidelines regarding fans at the games. Dr. Levine deferred to Gov. Wolf who then said “The guidance is that we ought to avoid any congregate settings . And that means anything that brings people together is going to help that virus get us and we ought to do everything we can to defeat that virus. So any time we get together for any reason, that’s a problem because it makes it easier for that virus to spread.” As the Governor prepared to leave the podium he said “the recommendation is that we don’t do any sports until January 1st.”

Now this is not an order at this time but could be a sign of things to come in the near future. Stay tuned as Beaver County Radio continues to work on this developing story.

You can hear the Governor’s comments by pressing the play button below:

Dobnak shines in homecoming, Twins top reeling Pirates 5-2

Dobnak shines in homecoming, Twins top reeling Pirates 5-2
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Minnesota’s Randy Dobnak dominated in his homecoming, allowing three hits in six innings as the streaking Twins topped the reeling Pittsburgh Pirates 5-2. Dobnak, who grew up a half-hour south of PNC Park in the Pittsburgh suburb of South Park, didn’t walk a batter and struck out just one. The 25-year-old relied on a heavy fastball the Pirates pounded into the ground. Pittsburgh managed just four balls out of the infield against Dobnak, who dropped his ERA to 0.60. Marwin Gonzalez went 2 for 4 with two RBIs for the Twins. Max Kepler gave Minnesota some breathing room in the ninth with a three-run home run off Pirates’ reliever Dovydas Neverauskas.

Petry’s goal in 3rd lifts Canadiens past Penguins again

Petry’s goal in 3rd lifts Canadiens past Penguins again
TORONTO (AP) — Jeff Petry scored 5:33 into the third period as the Montreal Canadiens rallied from two goals down and beat Pittsburgh 4-3 in Game 3, pushing the Penguins to the brink of elimination in the best-of-five series. Shea Weber had a goal and two assists for Montreal, Paul Byron added a goal and an assist, and Jonathan Drouin also scored. Carey Price stopped 30 shots for the Canadiens. Montreal can advance to the normal first round with 16 teams with win in Game 4 on Friday. Patric Hornqvist, Jason Zucker and Teddy Blueger scored for fifth-seeded Pittsburgh, which led 3-1 after Blueger’s goal 5:34 into the second. Matt Murray finished with 27 saves.