Connect with us

Pittsburg, PA

Ian Happ continues to hit in return home to Pittsburgh as Chicago Cubs beat Pirates 7-2

Published

on

Ian Happ continues to hit in return home to Pittsburgh as Chicago Cubs beat Pirates 7-2


PITTSBURGH — No matter how many times Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ returns to PNC Park, the experience is special.

The Pittsburgh native always has family and friends in the stands when the Cubs are in town. On Friday night that included his high school baseball coach sitting behind the on-deck circle watching Happ help lead the Cubs to a 7-2 win over the Pirates.

There are still moments when Happ will look up high to the left-field stands where he would sit with his $9 tickets to watch his hometown Pirates.

“It’s just really special,” Happ said. “Really cool, full circle.”

Advertisement

Happ had two hits in the victory, including an RBI double in the seventh inning to give the Cubs a three-run lead, to continue his hot hitting at PNC Park. Happ extended his major-league-record streak of 60 straight starts reaching safely against the Pirates dating to Sept. 26, 2018. In 52 career games at PNC, he is hitting .289 with 19 doubles, one triple, six home runs and 27 RBIs.

And to top off his multihit night, Happ’s home run robbery for the second out of the ninth came off the bat of Andrew McCutchen, whom he rooted for as a teen after the slugger debuted for the Pirates in 2009. Happ perfectly played the long drive to left field to prevent a two-run homer, giving a boost, too, for struggling reliever Adbert Alzolay and a much-needed scoreless ninth.

“I felt bad — I have so much respect for him,” Happ said of McCutchen. “Hitting that ball and bringing it back, but he’s a phenomenal player who’s had a great career.”

Perhaps the comfort of returning to his home city gets Happ on a roll. Friday represented Happ’s third multihit game in May after having only four such games through April. The Cubs (23-16) would benefit from the offense stepping up and taking pressure off the pitching staff, especially a rotation that has carried a significant load so far. Cody Bellinger has been locked in since coming off the injured list Tuesday, posting a four-hit game Friday with his second homer in three games. Seiya Suzuki was activated from the IL and is expected to return to the lineup Saturday, giving them another power bat in the heart of the order.

The Cubs took a one-run lead into the seventh and tacked on four runs in the frame.

Advertisement
Cubs left fielder Ian Happ robs the Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen of a home run with a catch over the wall during the ninth inning on May 10, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (Matt Freed/AP)

“For us just as an offense as a whole, 14 hits, guys coming through some big, late RBIs to add on runs, like, we can do that, we’re a very good offense,” Happ said. “We have the ability to keep adding on, that’s what good teams do. You get a three-run lead and you keep adding on. Just really good to see it.”

Three errors — two by third baseman Christopher Morel and one by first baseman Michael Busch — contributed to starter Javier Assad’s higher pitch count that forced him out of the game after 89 pitches in 4 1/3 innings. He stayed composed, though, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits. Right-hander Ben Brown, who hadn’t pitched since May 2, gave the offense a chance to push runs across against the Pirates bullpen behind 3 2/3 shutout innings, one walk and six strikeouts to give the rookie his first big-league win.

“It was a wonderful outing by Ben,” manager Craig Counsell said. “He’s was really crisp today and just throwing a ton of strikes, and the breaking ball was going really, really good. We saw some funky swings and they were uncomfortable with it so that was a big outing and it was kind of unique outing.”

The Cubs have had a knack for players stepping up each time they have been dealt an injury blow through the first six weeks. Nick Madrigal is the latest to receive an opportunity for extended playing time after shortstop Dansby Swanson landed on the 10-day IL on Friday with a sprained right knee. The injury forces Nico Hoerner to be the starting shortstop while Swanson is out, creating more regular at-bats for Madrigal at second base.

He came through with two outs in the seventh, slicing a two-strike, 94.5-mph fastball from Pirates reliever Hunter Stratton to the opposite field for a two-run single and 7-2 lead.

Advertisement

“Hopefully some more semiregular at-bats gets him nights like tonight,” Counsell said. “Runners in scoring position with Nick, you know he’s going to get some balls through eventually.”

Madrigal has tried to stay ready with inconsistent at-bats by taking more swings in the cage. Friday’s series opener was just the fourth time Madrigal was in the starting lineup since April 25.

“I was just trying to battle,” Madrigal said of his two-run single. “I feel like I’ve been just missing balls the last week or so, but I’m just trying to get back to the basics and not do too much and luckily with two strikes I was able to find a hole.

“When I try to do too much is when I overswing or just miss the ball, so just really simplifying it.”



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Pittsburg, PA

Radio host goes off on Pittsburgh Steelers star: ‘A flat-out disappointment’

Published

on

Radio host goes off on Pittsburgh Steelers star: ‘A flat-out disappointment’


2022 was the last time Minkah Fitzpatrick caused a turnover. Once known as the NFL’s premier ballhawk that all teams had to be worried about, Fitzpatrick has faded into the background of the Steelers’ defense. In 2023, he missed seven games due to hamstring and knee injuries. Now, in 2024, he is back at free safety, but Fitzpatrick still has not made the big-time plays.

According to most charting statistics, Fitzpatrick has the worst season of his career. Pro Football Focus has him charted for 18 receptions on 24 targets, allowing a passer rating of 135.8 and 13.8 yards per reception. Tight ends have victimized Fitzpatrick.

93.7 the Fan radio host Joe Starkey has had enough of the excuses for Fitzpatrick’s play. Starkey believes Fitzpatrick is ‘a flat-out disappointment’ this season, and the Steelers should have a serious conversation about his contract and role.

“Minkah Fitzpatrick is a flat-out disappointment,” Starkey said. “He’s given up a lot. I don’t think they’re just ignoring him the entire game. This isn’t Darrelle Revis in college.”

Advertisement

Fitzpatrick’s lack of splash plays is concerning, but the Steelers have not allowed many explosive plays this season and have the No. 4 scoring defense in the NFL for a reason. His coverage over the top has been effective in that regard. Yet, the Steelers want to see more splash plays from him, too.

  • 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

Continue Reading

Pittsburg, PA

Pittsburg father killed in hit-and-run crash after leaving church

Published

on

Pittsburg father killed in hit-and-run crash after leaving church


A father of two was fatally struck while walking home from church in Pittsburg on Friday night.

Advertisement

Police said they received a call about 9:15 p.m. about a crash in the 1500 block of Willow Pass Road and when officers arrived they found Joaquin Reveulta Galvez in the middle of the street.

Revuelta Galvez was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead a few hours later.

“There was some vehicle debris and the lone victim and that was the extent of the scene,” Cpt. Philip Galer said, adding that there was a headlight of a vehicle also there at the crash site.

Advertisement

In a news release, police said the entire crash was captured on surveillance video.

Revuelta Galvez’s family said investigators told them that he appeared to stumble and fall to the ground before the vehicle hit him.

Advertisement

“He was wearing sandals, and then he fell and landed in the street and a car ran over him,” said his partner Maribel Macias. The couple have two grown sons, and Macias said the young men were close with their father.

Macias said the family didn’t know about the crash until one of them noticed the emergency responders and police vehicles around the corner from the mobile home park where they live.

Now, during the holidays, she and her sons are grieving for Revuelta Galvez.

Advertisement

They said Revuelta Galvez had already been through so much. He had been recovering from brain surgery last year, but despite his health problems, he was a friendly neighbor and loving father with a good heart.

A relative said they saw him at the Sovereign Shepherd Church just a half hour before the crash, and he had bought some pupusas to bring back home.

Advertisement

His family wonders how someone could drive away and leave him there.

“If they had called 9-1-1… he would be alive right now. We don’t know how long he was on the ground bleeding, dying,” Macias said.

A relative set up a GoFundMe page to help the family pay for burial and funeral expenses.

Advertisement

Galer said investigators are withholding details from the surveillance footage to protect the investigation.

He said they do have leads on the vehicle that struck Revuelta Galvez.

Advertisement

Anyone with information on the hit-and-run crash is asked to contact Pittsburg police at (925) 646-2442 or contact Officer James Pena at (925) 252-4146.

Jana Katsuyama is a reporter for KTVU. Email Jana at jana.katsuyama@fox.com. Call her at 510-326-5529. Or follow her on Twitter @JanaKTVU and read her other reports on her bio page. 



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Pittsburg, PA

Steelers Have Weekly Plans for Justin Fields

Published

on

Steelers Have Weekly Plans for Justin Fields


The Pittsburgh Steelers have put their plan to increase quarterback Justin Fields’ involvement in motion, though it’s not yet a completely ironed-out component of the offense.

Per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo, Fields stated that the Steelers have a package in place for him every week, though it isn’t always clear how or when he’ll be utilized.

“I have a set package each and every week,” Fields said. “I think the play-calling is random to be honest with you. It’s kind of a feel thing with Arthur [Smith]. How I’m going to be used is a question for him honestly.”

After logging three snaps and rushing for 17 yards in Pittsburgh’s Week 11 win over the Baltimore Ravens, Fields saw his reps more than doubled to seven in a Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

Advertisement

The highlight of the 25-year-old’s day was a 30-yard run in the fourth quarter that advanced the Steelers into Cleveland territory, with the drive resulting in a Jaylen Warren touchdown. Fields’ two other attempts on the ground went for a combined -4 yards.

Pittsburgh also put their trust in him through the air on a 3rd-and-4 play while up 19-18 with 3:34 left in the contest. On his first throw since Week 6, Fields targeted George Pickens down the field but couldn’t complete the connection, which brought on the punt unit.

The Browns scored on their ensuing possession before thwarting the Steelers’ final scoring attempt of the night to clinch the victory.

Russell Wilson, who went 21-for-28 with 270 yards and a touchdown, also shared his uncertainty as to how and when Fields would be inserted into games moving forward.

“I don’t know when it’s going to happen,” Wilson said. “Whenever it does, all I want us to do is win. When Justin gets in there I’m rooting for Justin to do great and make a big play. When I go back in, it’s vice versa. We’re always rooting for each other.”

Advertisement

The Steelers haven’t been quiet about their intentions to continue featuring Fields. While things didn’t shake their way against the Browns as they perfect those arrangements, it’s fair to assume they’ll continue to ramp up his participation as the season continues on.

Make sure to bookmark Steelers On SI to get all your daily Pittsburgh Steelers news, interviews, breakdowns and more!



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending