Instant Replay: Steelers struggle collectively, fall to Lions in preseason opener

By Chris B. Mueller
http://www.timesonline.com/sports/
August 12, 2016


Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Sammie Coates (14) fails to come up with a catch against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Pittsburgh, Pa, on Friday, Aug. 12, 2016. (Jared Wickerham /AP Photo)

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PITTSBURGH -- Fresh off of two physical joint practices, the Steelers and Lions concluded their series of encounters Friday night with a game that resembled how most preseason openers appear -- rusty and mistake-ridden with a plethora of field goals.

The Lions won the battle of the backups in the second half to prevail 30-17 over the Steelers while kicker Matt Prater went a perfect 3-for-3 on field goal attempts. It marked the sixth year in a row the Steelers lost their opening preseason game. 

"Not the type of performance we had hoped for, really," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "Some big-time negligence in all three phases, things you can't have if you want to play winning football."

The Steelers offense, without several of its key contributors, started the game with three consecutive three-and-outs and totaled just seven net yards in the entire first quarter. With 14:15 left in the second quarter, cornerback Dorn Grant picked off Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown to open up the scoring. 

Landry Jones, starting in place of Ben Roethlisberger, connected with Darrius Heyward-Bey for a 29-yard score in the second quarter that would serve as Pittsburgh's only other touchdown. Prater hit two field goals before he quarter ended to make it a 17-6 game at half. 

Jones finished 6-of-12 for 65 yards, but he was unable to put sustained drives together during the first half. 

"That's part of his evaluation," Tomlin said. "But I wasn't displeased with what Landry did tonight. I thought he was composed. We just need more opportunities, we need to win more possession downs so we can get more snaps and see more of him." 

The Steelers' only other points came when Chris Boswell converted a 37-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, but it was quickly followed by 96-yard touchdown by Detroit returner Dwayne Washington on the ensuing kickoff. The Lions would later score on a 27-yard touchdown catch from Jace Billingsley. 

The Steelers committed nine penalties for 72 yards and had just 187 yards of total offense. They finished 2-for-12 on third downs, a 17-percent efficiency rating. The Lions, ending with 379 yards of total offense, were 12-for-19 on third downs. Grant led the Steelers with seven total tackles, while Sean Davis and Vince Williams finished with five.  

"We have to learn these lessons about what transpired out there tonight," Tomlin said. "Own that, take ownership of it and let that be our guide as we move forward."

TURNING POINT 

Washington's 96-yard return touchdown killed any momentum the Steelers had received from taking the lead on Boswell's field goal. Washington, in his first career game, found a lane though the right hash and glided relatively untouched until it was, indeed, Boswell who missed the tackle. The Steelers would not score again following that point. 

BY THE NUMBERS

7: The amount of plays Bruce Gradkowski lasted before exiting the game with an injury. Gradkowski suffered a left hamstring injury on his first drive on a two-yard scramble.

10: The Lions finished with ten more first downs than the Steelers, 20-10. 

PLAYER OF THE GAME 

Jordan Berry, Punter

You know it's the preseason when the punter is receiving player of the game honors. Jordan Berry shined on Friday night, booting his only three punt attempts 61 yards, 61 yards and 57 yards respectively. His 56.3 net yard average was exactly 20 yards higher than fellow punter Will Monday. "I've definitely been trying to work on my consistency over the summer," Berry said. "I've had a great camp so far and summer practices went really well, as well. I'm just trying to build on that and translate it into a game situation."  Berry proved on Friday night that there isn't really a true competition at punter even though Monday was brought into training camp. "If I'm doing my best, I'll be out-beating anybody," Berry said. "It's just about finding that consistency." 

NOTEWORTHY 

• With Le'Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams not playing Friday night, running back Daryl Richardson received a bulk of the carries and capitalized on it. He led all rushers with 44 yards on 11 rushes. The fourth-year back has had positive showings during training camp. "I thought he did some nice things," Tomlin said. "I thought his run demeanor was really good. I thought he was aggressive. I saw some good things from him." 
• Sean Davis started at slot nickel against the Lions, but took his lumps in his first-career game. He suffered a few bad missed tackles and was notably out of position at times. It's not anything to be too concerned about at this point, however, as Davis continues to adjust to the increased speed of the game at the NFL level. "I just wanted to see him acclimate himself to the NFL and play," Tomlin said. "That doesn't necessarily mean I had direct eyes on him. I'm not ready to give an accurate evaluation of his performance at this point." Davis finished with five total tackles. 
• Grant's interception for a touchdown was a product of being in the right place at the right time. Steelers defensive end Ricardo Matthews went untouched into the backfield and applied instant pressure on Orlovsky. The Detroit quarterback ducked under Matthews extended arm and forced a bad throw that fell right into the arms of a waiting Grant. "I was just thinking speed and get-off, speed and get-off, speed and get-off. That's it, honestly," Matthews said. "I was just focusing on that point, now I just need to focus on tackling [Orlovsky]."
• Lions first-round pick Taylor Decker received a quick welcome to the NFL at the hands of James Harrison. Harrison blew by the rookie left tackle on a speed rush for a strip sack of Matthew Stafford on Detroit's first offensive drive. Arthur Moats recovered the fumble. 

INJURY REPORT

• Gradkowski and Ross Ventrone both left the game with hamstring injuries. 
• Guard Brian Mihalik suffered a left knee injury and did not finish.
• Anthony Chickillo was seen limping out of the locker room with his right ankle wrapped. Tomlin said he didn't know the extent of the injury. 

QUOTEWORTHY

"I want our 10 other guys to make the play. If they don't, I want him to do what comes natural -- play football." 

Tomlin on if he wants Boswell, who missed the tackle on Washington's return touchdown, to be aggressive on kick return coverage.

UP NEXT 

Preseason Week 2 vs. Philadelphia Eagles 

Thursday, August 18 at 7:05 (KDKA) 

Heinz Field 

The Steelers will play their final preseason home game Aug. 18 on Thursday Night Football against the Eagles, who won their preseason opener 17-9 over the Buccaneers on Thursday night. Don't expect either team to show anything too drastic considering the Steelers and Eagles will meet again in Week 3 of the regular season. The Eagles selected quarterback Carson Wentz second overall in the 2016 draft, and he'll likely receive a bulk of the snaps on Thursday night. He played all of the second half against the Buccaneers. From the Steelers' standpoint, there's a strong chance that the key starters in Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Le'Veon Bell and Maurkice Pouncey won't suit up again. With Bruce Gradkowski's injury, expect another heavy dose of Jones. 

Taillon pitches 3-hit ball for 8 innings, Pirates top Padres

By Alan Saunders. The Associated Press

http://www.espn.com/mlb/

August 11, 2016

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon delivers in the third inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH -- Pirates rookie Jameson Taillon keeps building up his innings by limiting his pitches.

Taillon threw three-hit ball for eight innings and Pittsburgh got a pair of RBI from David Freese to beat the San Diego Padres 4-0.

Taillon (3-2) struck out four, walked two and threw 101 pitches.

"Pitch efficiency continues to be first and foremost for me," manager Clint Hurdle said. "It's very, very attractive. Today, he averaged just 12 pitches per inning. ... I think it was 18 out of 22 first-pitch strikes. He's pounding the zone."

Taillon has improved his two-seam fastball and is developing his changeup.

"I'm just playing with pitch sequencing. I had my curveball early, it kind of went away for a couple innings in the middle of the game. That's when the changeup played," he said.

Taillon matched his longest outing in the majors. The Padres put only one runner in scoring position against him.

Neftali Feliz got two outs in the ninth, and also gave up a single and a walk. Tony Watson posted his fourth save by striking out Jabari Blash.

Josh Harrison hit a leadoff double in the first off Christian Friedrich (4-8) and scored on Freese's single.

Freese hit an RBI double in the third and scored on a single by Gregory Polanco.

Harrison singled home a run in the fourth.

"Similar to last start, just a couple bad pitches," Friedrich said. "I felt pretty good, just would be happier trying to go deeper into games, obviously, and would like to knock out some of those big-run innings."

Starling Marte snapped an 0-for-12 streak by getting two hits and scoring a run.

"We talked this morning to come out with some energy and get going," Freese said. "We knew how hot it was going to be and knew they were going to be ready to roll. We had to step up and get it done."

SIXTH MAN

Clayton Richard will join the Padres' rotation as they go with six starters beginning on Sunday. San Diego is in a stretch of 16 consecutive games and wants to use an extra starter in order to keep down the workload of Friedrich, who threw only 58 1/3 innings in 2015, and 23-year-old Luis Perdomo.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Pirates: C Francisco Cervelli did not play after leaving Wednesday's game with left wrist discomfort. Hei called the issue numbness and said it stemmed from tendinitis. Hurdle said he expects him to play "sometime soon." ... 1B John Jaso missed his second straight game with general soreness stemming from a collision at home plate Tuesday.

UP NEXT

Padres: Paul Clemens (1-2, 4.61 ERA) will make his third straight turn in the rotation as the Padres begin a three-game series in New York against the Mets. He has not pitched more than five innings in any appearance this season.

Pirates: Ivan Nova (8-6, 4.83) will make his second NL since coming over from the New York Yankees at the trade deadline as the Pirates start a three-game series at the Los Angeles Dodgers. He gave up three runs in seven innings in his first start with Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Polanco, rookie Kuhl lead Pirates to 6-4 victory over Padres

By John Perrotto

http://www.espn.com/mlb/

August 9, 2016

Pittsburgh Pirates' Gregory Polanco, left, is greeted by teammates Andrew McCutchen (22), and Josh Harrison (5) after hitting a three-run home run off San Diego Padres starting pitcher Luis Perdomo in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016. The Pirates won, 6-4. (Gene Puskar/AP)

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Gregory Polanco made manager Clint Hurdle's decision to move him into the cleanup spot for the first time in his career look like a good one.

Polanco hit a tiebreaking three-run homer and Chad Kuhl pitched six innings for the win after being called up from the minor leagues as the Pirates defeated the San Diego Padres 6-4 on Tuesday night.

Hurdle batted the third-year right fielder fourth for the first time in his career and Polanco's three-run blast deep into the seats in right-center off Luis Perdomo was his 16th homer, put the Pirates ahead 5-2 and keyed a four-run sixth inning that included Francisco Cervelli's RBI double.

"He's been our most efficient guy with RBI percentage," Hurdle said. "I like Polanco in the four to try something different. Our offense wasn't producing like I feel we're capable of producing."

Polanco said his approach did not change with hitting cleanup.

"As always, when you have two strikes, if you see a pitch close to the plate, you have to swing," Polanco said. "He left it right there, and I put a good swing on it."

Kuhl (2-0) allowed two runs and five hits while striking out four and walking four. He made four starts with the Pirates earlier this season and was 6-3 with a 2.37 ERA in 16 starts for Indianapolis.

David Freese had three hits and scored three runs and Josh Harrison added two hits for the Pirates, who improved to 4-6 in a 12-game stretch against teams who are at least 10 games under .500.

Pittsburgh remained three games out of the second NL wild card.

Tony Watson pitched a scoreless ninth for his third save.

Perdomo (5-6) was tagged for six runs -- five earned -- in five innings. The rookie walked three and struck out three as his ERA rose to 6.80.

Padres manager Andy Green felt Perdomo made a mistake on the home run ball to Polanco by trying to challenge him up and in with a fastball.

"He's not ready to make that pitch in that situation yet because it's going to come back over the plate and it did," Green said. "Luis is a power sinker guy right now and that's the pitch he needed to throw. It's all part of the learning process."

Rookie Jabari Blash had two hits and two RBI, including a solo home run off Watson in the ninth, for the Padres. Wil Myers hit his team-leading 22nd homer, a solo shot off Antonio Bastardo in the eighth inning, and Yangervis Solarte had two hits.

After a 36-minute rain delay, Kuhl gave up both runs in the first inning whenAlex Dickerson hit an RBI double and scored on Blash's single.

The Pirates tied it 2-2 as Sean Rodriguez hit a run-scoring groundout in the second inning and he added an RBI single in the fourth.

"I kind of calmed down after the first inning," Kuhl said. "I was able to just execute pitches. The first, I felt a little gassed, a little weird. But I started to calm down and get more into a rhythm."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Pirates: RHP Tyler Glasnow (right shoulder discomfort) will make a rehab start Sunday for Double-A Altoona after pitching a three-inning simulated game Tuesday afternoon, the first time he faced hitters since going on the DL on July 24. . Polanco returned to the starting lineup after being limited to pinch-hitting during the previous four games because of left shoulder discomfort. ... Freese started after sitting out Sunday's loss to Cincinnati with left elbow discomfort.

ROSTER MOVE

The Pirates optioned RHP Curtis Partch to Indianapolis to make room for Kuhl. Partch allowed three runs in 2/3 of an inning in two games.

ROTATION NEWS

Green is considering giving LHP Clayton Richard a spot start Sunday against the Mets at New York as San Diego is in the midst of playing on 16 consecutive days. Richard pitched a scoreless inning Tuesday.

WHAT'S NEXT

Padres: RHP Edwin Jackson (2-2, 5.00 ERA) is scheduled to start Wednesday night in the second game of the three-game series after pitching a season-high eight innings to beat Milwaukee last Wednesday. He has a 9-3 career record against the Pirates.

Pirates: RHP Ryan Vogelsong (1-1, 3.25) makes his second start since being out from May 24-Aug. 3 with facial fractures sustained when hit by a pitch. He held Atlanta to one run in six innings in a no-decision last Thursday.

Clint Hurdle deserves credit for keeping Pirates from total collapse

By Paul Zeise

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/

August 8, 2016

Clint Hurdle (Matt Freed/Post Gazette)

It has been a long, hard season for the Pirates, and when that happens, it creates a lot of unrest among the fans, media and people around the team and ultimately leads to finger-pointing. In other words, who is to blame for this mess?

I have a pretty good pulse on who is getting the brunt of the blame in Pittsburgh sports, but in recent weeks the fans have seemingly begun to turn on Clint Hurdle. It’s as if he has something to do with this disappointment of a season. No offense, but that’s lunacy.

Hurdle should be considered for some manager of the year awards for somehow keeping this Titanic of a roster that he was handed above water. Oh sure, Hurdle does some things that drive you nuts, like the way he handles the bullpen, tries too hard to get his starting pitchers through five innings so they can get the win and constantly tinkers with the lineup. I didn’t like his handling of Andrew McCutchen last week with a roster that was short-handed due to injury already, either, though we aren’t sure that one didn’t come from above.

Click on the link below to read the rest of the article:

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/zeise-is-right/2016/08/08/Paul-Zeise-Clint-Hurdle-deserves-credit-for-keeping-Pirates-from-total-collapse/stories/201608080107

Appreciate the Penguins 50-year history, both good and bad

By Mark Madden

http://www.timesonline.com/sports/

August 8, 2016

Mario Lemieux after winning the Stanley Cup in Chicago on June 2, 1992. (John Swart/AP)

I’m a Penguins lifer.

When I was six years old, I went to one game in the Penguins’ inaugural season, 1966-67. My late mother, Peggy Ann Madden, was a hockey aficionado. She wanted her son to attend a game in every year of the franchise’s history.

So far, so good. Made a career out of it, even.

Leo McCafferty of the Penguins is producing a feature-length documentary on the occasion of the team’s golden anniversary. Last Friday, McCafferty interviewed me for 90 minutes about the club’s history.

It was cathartic, to say the least. Primal scream and shout, ooh, tear it out…

The four Stanley Cups are pleasant memories. That’s the easy part.

But I can’t help but think about Game 7 against the New York Islanders in 1975. Pierre Larouche hits the post at one end. Eddie Westfall banks it in off the post at the other. I close my eyes, and I can still hear both “clangs.”

One-nothing, Islanders. I was 14, and I wept. I’m tearing up a little right now.

My abject hatred for the Philadelphia Flyers always simmers not far beneath the surface. Me verbalizing that might not make the final cut, but it should.

Yo, Philly: 42 years. Over 15,000 days. Four Cups to two. The Penguins endured two bankruptcies, but the Flyers have long been morally bankrupt.

Mike Crombeen in ’81. John Tonelli in ’82. David Volek in ’93.There have been times when the pain really added up.

Last place in ’84 didn’t hurt. Worked out pretty good, in fact. Then-general manager Eddie Johnston will never admit to tanking. But it was a work of art.

When you consider all 50 years as a whole, it’s amazing. Triumph and tragedy. Peaks and valleys. The blight makes the accomplishments burn all the brighter.

For example, the stats contribute to making Mario Lemieux the greatest player ever.

The eye test, even more so.

But conquering back problems, cancer and some of the worst wingers in NHL history is what checks the final box. Lemieux suffered for his art. Remember Steve Gatzos and Konstantin Koltsov? Me, neither.

Finishing last is the shortcut to finishing first, and also teaches humility. Finish middle, draft middle, stay middle. Just ask the Flyers.

Winning the Stanley Cup this past season meant a redesign of the Penguins’ 50th anniversary logo that surely took the best part of 90 seconds. On the bright side, a fourth Cup is a terrific vehicle for promoting the upcoming documentary.

In the immediate wake of blowing that three-games-to-none lead against the Islanders in the ‘75 quarterfinals, I remember thinking how great it would be to win just once. It seemed impossible at the time, and for quite some time after.

Here I am, four Cups later and with the incredible feeling of being part of something a lot bigger than me. Not many have been there all 50 years.

In 1983-84, the average crowd at home games was 6,839. If you were there, you have every right to feel special. You have a bit more stake.

But, after 50 years, all are certainly welcome.

I’ve long felt that no Pittsburgh hockey crowd was ever louder than Dec. 27, 2000, Lemieux’s comeback game. But those assembled this past May 10 certainly came close when Nick Bonino’s overtime goal eliminated Washington.

I’d bet that no Penguins player ever really challenges Lemieux’s level of achievement. But Sidney Crosby might come closer than once imagined.

After a half-century, the hits just keep on coming.

How much of my 90 minutes will be included in the documentary? Sex sells, so I’m figuring most of it.

McCafferty interviewed Lemieux right after talking to me. Finally, after all these years, somebody gave Mario a tough act to follow.

Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM (105.9).

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Nova goes 7 innings to win Pirates' debut, 5-3 over Reds

By John Perrotto, The Associated Press

http://www.espn.com/mlb/

August 6, 2016

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Ivan Nova (46) throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016. (Fred Vuich/AP)

PITTSBURGH -- Ivan Nova used aggression to quash any nervousness about making his first start with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Nova pitched seven innings in front of his new home fans, Homer Bailey struggled in his second start since having Tommy John surgery and the Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-3 on Saturday night.

Nova (8-6) was acquired from the New York Yankees on Monday for two players to be named and gave up three runs and six hits with five strikeouts and no walks. He had spent his entire seven-year career with New York.

"I did what I wanted to do -- be a little bit aggressive in the strike zone," Nova said. "I got a lot of strikes and got quick outs."

Nova pitched more than six innings just three times in 15 starts with the Yankees this season.

"This guy's pitched for a lot of years, in New York City," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "So, he's done some things. He's just trying to find more consistency and get the opportunity. He wants to pitch with an edge and he was able to show that."

Starling Marte welcomed reliever Josh Smith with a two-run single in the fourth to give the Pirates a 5-2 lead. Marte and Josh Harrison each had two hits for Pittsburgh, which entered three games out of the second NL wild card.

Tony Watson pitched a perfect ninth for his second save in three chances since All-Star closer Mark Melancon was traded to the Washington Nationals. Watson blew the save Friday night but the Pirates rallied for a 3-2 win.

"It was good to get back out there again after what happened last night," Watson said. "It's even better that we won both games."

The Reds' Brandon Phillips hit two solo home runs off Nova for the 13th multihomer game of his 15-year career. The second baseman raised his season total to eight but had last homered May 7 and ended a career-long streak of 286 at-bats without connecting.

Phillips is 9 for 15 with six RBI and six runs in his last four games.

Reds shortstop Zack Cozart extended his hitting streak to 14 games.

Phillips' second home run cut the Reds' deficit to 5-3 in the seventh. He also homered in the second when Tucker Barnhart had an RBI single to put Cincinnati ahead 2-1.

The Pirates scored twice against Bailey (1-1) in the third to move in front 3-2.John Jaso was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded with two outs and Francisco Cervelli followed with an RBI single.

Bailey allowed five runs and eight hits in three-plus innings. He struck out four and walked one. He was coming off a promising season debut, limiting San Diego to two runs and five hits over 5 2/3 innings in a 3-2 win on July 31.

"There wasn't acute pain but I just didn't feel very good," Bailey said. "I couldn't finish my pitches. I knew before the game it might be a problem but I was hoping to throw enough pitches to get us through until we could get the lead to the bullpen.

"I know this is part of recovery process but it doesn't feel good when you cost your team the game. The bullpen pitched great but the starter didn't."

The Pirates won their second game in a row following a 1-5 stretch while the Reds lost back-to-back games for the first time since dropping three in a row from July 8-10. The loss also ended Cincinnati's streak of six consecutive series victories since the break.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Pirates: 3B David Freese (left elbow discomfort) was removed from the game in the seventh inning. ... RF Gregory Polanco (left shoulder discomfort) did not start for a third straight game.

PITCHING SHUFFLE

The Pirates purchased RHP Curtis Partch's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis to take the bullpen spot of RHP Arquimedes Caminero, who was traded to the Seattle Mariners for a player to be named.

Meanwhile, LHP Jeff Locke is moving to the bullpen. Manager Clint Hurdle said there is no room for Locke in the rotation following the trade for Nova and the activation of RHP Ryan Vogelsong on Thursday from the disabled list.

UP NEXT

Reds: RHP Dan Straily (6-6, 3.80 ERA) will start Sunday in the finale of the three-game series and try to extend his streak of six straight quality starts.

Pirates: RHP Gerrit Cole (7-6, 2.73) is 0-5 with a 5.30 ERA in seven career starts against Cincinnati.