Pittsburg, PA

Justin Fields euphoric after first win with Pittsburgh Steelers: ‘It’s great’

Published

1 year ago

September 8, 2024

Justin Fields euphoric after first win with Pittsburgh Steelers: ‘It’s great’

ATLANTA — Just 35 minutes from where he grew up in Kennesaw, Georgia, and 45 minutes from where he played his high school football at Harrison High School, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields got his first start with the team and his first win as a member of the Steelers.

He learned during warmups that he would be their starting quarterback for certain. Before that, there were plenty of questions for Fields, but he was ready.

“Russell [Wilson] came in after warming up and he told me that I was up. Like we said kind of all week, he was questionable, just trying to get his calf right and try to get going. But it was really tight before the game,” Fields said.

With his family and former teammates in attendance, it was the perfect setting for Fields to engineer a homecoming victory. Going through a wave of emotions, Fields revealed just how perfect the entire setting and outcome was for him in a start he did not know he would have just hours ago.

“Yeah, firstly, it’s great. I have a bunch of family here, family and friends, old high school teammates. So just the setting, I really couldn’t ask for it a better way. God sure does work in mysterious ways,” Fields said.

The Steelers and Fields got off to a slow start. Fields fumbled one snap and almost fumbled another. He missed Van Jefferson who was wide open. Those were plays that he badly wanted back. He vowed to ensure that those slow starts would never happen again as long as he was the starting quarterback.

“Yeah, we definitely got off to a slow start, especially the first play, then I missed the throw to Van [Jefferson]. But after the first drive, I feel like we settled in a little bit, and especially as the game went along, definitely settled in. I don’t have a reason, but just know that won’t happen again.”

Now, Fields will go back to Pittsburgh and work without knowing if he will start against the Denver Broncos in Week 2. Wilson figures to do everything he can to play in what promises to be an emotional return to Empower Field at Mile High, the first since the Broncos released him this offseason.

BETTING: Check out our guide to the best PA sportsbooks, where our team of sports betting experts has reviewed the experience, payout speed, parlay options and quality of odds for multiple sportsbooks.

Source link

Click to comment

Pittsburg, PA

Oneil Cruz Powers Pirates Past Astros

Published

2 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

PITTSBURGH — Oneil Cruz needs to have a great season for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2026 and his strong Spring Training continued in their most recent victory.

Cruz hit a three-run home run off of Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Jayden Murray in the top of the fifth inning, playing a big role in the 5-2 victory at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fla.

He waited on a changeup on the second pitch, 85.1 mph over the middle of the plate and sent it 106.4 mph off the bat and 368 feet, scoring both left fielder Billy Cook and third baseman Alika Williams with two outs.

That marks the first home run for Cruz in the Grapefruit League, who has had a great Spring Training so far, slashing .538/.600/.846 for an OPS of 1.446 in five games, with seven hits in 13 at-bats.

Pittsburgh got the win after the top of the sixth inning, after a rain delay ended the game.

Pirates Rookie Pitchers Have Up-And-Down Showing vs. Astros

Right-handed pitcher Braxton Ashcraft made his second start for the Pirates in the Grapefruit League and dominated vs. the Astros.

Sep 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft (67) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Ashcraft threw three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and a walk, while posting two strikeouts for Pittsburgh.

Former Pirates pitcher, right-handed starter Mike Burrows, countered Ashcraft for the Astros. He threw three scoreless innings himself, allowed one hit and a walk and posted four strikeouts.

The Pirates traded Burrows to the Houston Astros in the three-team trade with the Tampa Bay Rays on Dec. 19, that landed them second baseman Brandon Lowe, outfielder Jake Mangum and left-handed relief pitcher Mason Montgomery.

Right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler made his second appearance for the Pirates in the Grapefruit League and threw two innings.

Chandler immediately loaded the bases, walking both third baseman Carlos Correa and first baseman Christian Walker, then giving up a single to center fielder Cam Smith.

He came back and struckout right fielder Taylor Trammell and got left fielder Zach Dezenzo to pop out, but gave up a single to second baseman Brice Matthews and a run to the Astros, before ending the inning with a strikeout.

Chandler also gave up a solo home run to Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes, on a slider down in the zone.

He finished his outing with three hits, three walks and two earned runs allowed over 1.1 innings pitched, before left-handed pitcher Derek Diamond got the last two outs of the inning.

Chandler struggled in his first Spring Training start vs. the New York Yankees at LECOM Park in Bradenton on Feb. 23, where he allowed four earned runs over 1.2 innings of work.

Feb 23, 2026; Bradenton, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Bubba Chandler (36) throws a pitch during the second inning against the New York Yankees at LECOM Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The Pirates will need better showings from Chandler, who should serve as a key piece of their starting rotation in 2026.

Other Important Notes from Pirates Victory

The Pirates added two runs in the top of the sixth inning, as Cook hit a single that scored second baseman Nick Yorke and then Williams singled, scoring Cook to make it a 5-2 ball game.

Cook had just one hit in eight at-bats coming into this game and scored twice in the victory, as he walked before the Cruz home run.

Designated hitter Marcell Ozuna led the Pirates with two hits, a good sign for them, as they’ll rely on him greatly for his power and hitting in 2026.

The Pirates are now 7-2 in the Grapefruit League and tied with the Yankees for the top of the standings.

Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates!

Source link