Pirates Struggling

The Pirates will try to break the four game losing streak tonight at PNC Park The Pirates start Ivan Nova (2-0) on the mound. He will face  Joe Mustgrove (1-1). Musgrove is making only his fourth start of the season.  Rookie Josh Bell is a raw talent at first base. Manager Clint Hurdle says he needs work in the field.  Hurtle has assigned John Jasso to help him improve his work at first base.  Bell is an outfielder transitioning to first base.   The move indicates that Bell will be here for awhile.  Pirates and Astros tonight on WBVP-WMBA.  Airtime is 6:40.

Speedo drops Ryan Lochte after Rio incident

Speedo is the first major company to drop its sponsorship of swimmer Ryan Lochte.The swimsuit maker owned by PVH in New York says that it doesn’t condone behavior that is counter to its values.Lochte fabricated a tale that he was robbed at gunpoint in Rio de Janeiro during the Olympics. He later apologized.Speedo says it is donating $50,000 from Lochte’s sponsorship fee to the global charity Save the Children for children in Brazil.

Kevin Harvick wins Sprint Cup race in Bristol

Harvick

Kevin Harvick passed Denny Hamlin for the lead with 70 laps to go and stayed in front until he saw the checkered flag at Bristol Motor Speedway. Harvick led 128 laps for his second Sprint Cup victory of the season and his second at the high-banked, half-mile concrete bullring. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was second, followed by Denny Hamlin, Austin Dillon and Chris Buescher. Kyle Busch led 256 laps, but was knocked out in a crash on lap 373.

The race was finished a day behind schedule following bad weather on Saturday night.

AP photo

Zero Week High School Football

The revamped  PIAA Six Classification 2016 High School Football season begins this week.  Under the new rules, teams have the option of  practicing against another school.  They can also play a game.  There are four games this weekend.  Friday night, Hopewell plays at Freedom, Central Valley at South Fayette and Western Beaver at Avella.  There is one Saturday game. Aliquippa travels to New Castle. The regular season begins Friday September 2nd.

Little League World Series Delayed

A steady rain in the Williamsport area postponed Sunday’s action at the Little League World Series.  The series resumes today with five games. The championship game is scheduled for Sunday.

Glasnow Back On Track

On his radio show Sunday, Pirates GM Neal Huntington had good news about rookie pitcher Tyler Glasnow.  He is has been on the disable list since July 24th.  He had  weakness in his right shoulder.  That  happened again  during his first rehab.  It limited him to just three innings of pitching.  Huntington revealed rehab part two begins today with a start for AA Altoona.

Pirates Host The Astros

After being swept by the Marlins, the Pirates host a three game series against the Houston Astros.  Both teams are fighting  to make the playoffs.  The Pirates are 62-59 in the NL  Central and chasing St. Louis for the second wild card spot.  The Astos are      64-60 in the ALWest and are chasing four teams for the second wild card spot. The Pirates will pitch Jameson Tallion (3-2) in game one.  The Astros will counter with Doug Fister (11-8).  Airtime on WBVP-WMBA is 6:40.