Pirates edge NL West-leading Dodgers 5-3 for 2nd series win

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
By BETH HARRIS AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Michael Chavis and Tucupita Marcano each hit two-run homers and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 to take their second straight series from the NL West leaders. The Pirates won four of five games against the Dodgers in May and conclude their LA visit on Wednesday. The Dodgers dropped just their fifth series of the season after wasting several chances. They failed to capitalize on seven walks and a hit batter. Trea Turner blasted a two-run homer to extend his hitting streak to 23 straight games, tops in the majors this season.

Bob Barrickman Breaks Down WPIAL Baseball & Softball Playoffs

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

“I’m confident that we’re going to have a number of teams that make a serious run.”

Those words were spoken by Beaver County Radio sports director Bob Barrickman on the May 19 edition of A.M. Beaver County, as he spoke with Matt Drzik about the 2022 WPIAL Baseball and Softball Playoffs that started earlier this week.

Several area teams are in the postseason conversation; the top two might be the Beaver softball team–currently on a 37-game winning streak dating back to the beginning of the 2021 season–and the Hopewell baseball team, who entered the playoffs as the #1 seed in Class 3A. Both the Viking boys and Bobcat ladies are looking to repeat as WPIAL champions following titles in 2021.

It’s not just those two, however–as of the interview, there were still 12 teams in the coverage area remaining between the two brackets. Blackhawk, Beaver, Quaker Valley, Hopewell, New Brighton, Riverside, OLSH, and Rochester remain in the WPIAL Baseball playoffs, while Beaver, Ellwood City, OLSH, and South Side Beaver are still active in the WPIAL Playoffs. “I would be surprised if we don’t get at least a couple of teams to the championships,” Barrickman said, “the way that these early-round playoffs are going thus far.”

To hear the full conversation with Bob Barrickman, click on the player below!

Chicago-Born Rookie Suwinski Homers, Lifts Pirates over Cubs

(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
By MARK GONZALES Associated Press
CHICAGO (AP) — Rookie Jack Suwinski, who attended high school 20 minutes from Wrigley Field, hit a tiebreaking home run and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Cubs 3-2, ending Chicago’s four-game winning streak. Suwinski made his major league debut this season and began the day hitting .183 with two homers. With the score 2-all, the 23-year-old outfielder from Taft High School opened the fifth inning with a drive off Drew Smyly that barely cleared the center field wall. Michael Chavis’ single in the third snapped the Pirates’ scoreless streak of 20 innings. They scored in the eighth inning of Sunday’s 1-0 win over the Reds despite being no-hit by Hunter Greene and Art Warren, then lost 9-0 and 7-0 earlier this week at Wrigley Field.

Panarin lifts Rangers past Penguins 4-3 in OT in Game 7

(AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
By VIN A. CHERWOO AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Artemi Panarin scored a power-play goal 4:46 into overtime and the New York Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 to advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Mika Zibanejad had a goal and two assists and Chris Kreider and K’Andre Miller also scored for New York which got its third straight comeback win after trailing 3-1 in the series. Andrew Copp had two assists and Igor Shesterkin stopped 42 shots. Evan Rodrigues had a goal and an assist and Jake Guentzel and Danton Heinen also scored for the Penguins, who were ousted in the first playoff series for the fourth straight year.

Penguins’ Sidney Crosby ruled out of Game 6 against Rangers

(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will not play in Game 6 against the New York Rangers. Coach Mike Sullivan ruled out Crosby following the team’s morning skate. Sullivan said Crosby was on the ice earlier with skating and skills development coach Ty Hennes. Crosby departed after a hit from New York’s Jacob Trouba in Game 5 on Wednesday and did not return. The team has said only that Crosby has an upper-body injury. Pittsburgh is 2-0 in the only two playoff games it has played without Crosby since he entered the NHL. The Penguins lead the best-of-seven series 3-2.

 

Crosby Leaves in 2nd Period of Penguins’ 5-3 Loss in Game 5

(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
By VIN A. CHERWOO AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins were leading 2-0 in Game 5 of their first-round series against the New York Rangers when star center Sidney Crosby headed to the dressing room with about seven minutes left in the second period. He was knocked to the ice minutes earlier after a hard high hit from Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba while the Penguins had the puck in the offensive zone. Following his departure, New York scored three times on three consecutive shots over a 2:42 span to take the lead. They scored two more in the third period to win 5-3 and send the series back to Pittsburgh for Game 6 with the Penguins lead 3-2.

Steelers All-Pro DT Cam Heyward Wins Writers’ Good Guy Award

(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro defensive tackle Cameron Heyward has been selected as the 2022 Good Guy Award winner by the Professional Football Writers of America. Heyward, the 18th Good Guy Award winner, is the second member of the Steelers franchise to get the award, joining Jerome Bettis, who won the inaugural honor in 2005. The award is given to an NFL player for his qualities and professional style in helping pro football writers do their jobs. Heyward did not miss a media availability during the 2021 season, and those who covered the Steelers noted he doesn’t avoid answering tough questions. He was cited for consistently going “above and beyond” to build an honest rapport with those who cover the team.

Quintana Gets First Win Since 2019, Pirates Down Dodgers 5-1

(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
By JOHN PERROTTO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jose Quintana pitched six scoreless innings for his first win since 2019 and the first victory by a Pittsburgh starting pitcher this season as the Pirates beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1. The Pirates also ended a 16-game losing streak against the Dodgers dating to 2018 and snapped Los Angeles’ six-game winning streak. Quintana allowed four hits and four walks while striking out five. His previous win came on Sept. 5, 2019 at Milwaukee while pitching for the Chicago Cubs. The veteran left-hander has been plagued by injuries and ineffectiveness in recent seasons, going 20 starts and 42 appearances between victories.

Pens Chase Shesterkin Again, Topple Rangers 7-2 for 3-1 Series Lead

(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
BY WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists to become the sixth player in NHL history to reach 200 career playoff points and the Pittsburgh Penguins throttled the New York Rangers 7-2 to take a 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series. Jake Guentzel scored for the fourth consecutive game and Jeff Carter, Danton Heinen, Mark Friedman and Mike Matheson also beat Igor Shesterkin as the Penguins chased the Vezina Trophy favorite for the second time in three days to move within one game of advancing in the postseason for the first time since 2018. Shesterkin sat out the third period after giving up six goals on 30 shots.

Panarin, Vatrano help Rangers beat Penguins 5-2 in Game 2

(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
By VIN A. CHERWOO AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Artemi Panarin and Frank Vatrano each had a goal and two assists and the New York Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 in Game 2 on Thursday night to even the best-of-seven first-round series. Chris Kreider, Andrew Copp and Ryan Strome also scored for the Rangers. Igor Shesterkin made 39 saves two nights after stopping 79 shots in a triple-overtime loss in Game 1. Sidney Crosby had a goal and an assist, and Jake Guentzel also scored for the Penguins. Louis Domingue, getting the start after replacing the injured Casey DeSmith in the second overtime of Game 1, finished with 34 saves. Game 3 is Saturday night in Pittsburgh.

By VIN A. CHERWOO AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Artemi Panarin and Frank Vatrano each had a goal and two assists and the New York Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 in Game 2 on Thursday night to even the best-of-seven first-round series. Chris Kreider, Andrew Copp and Ryan Strome also scored for the Rangers. Igor Shesterkin made 39 saves two nights after stopping 79 shots in a triple-overtime loss in Game 1. Sidney Crosby had a goal and an assist, and Jake Guentzel also scored for the Penguins. Louis Domingue, getting the start after replacing the injured Casey DeSmith in the second overtime of Game 1, finished with 34 saves. Game 3 is Saturday night in Pittsburgh.