By Katie Mayock, Journalism Intern – Sports
Steelers Defeat Broncos 13-6, Move to 2-0 on the Season
The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Denver Broncos 13-6 on Sunday afternoon to move to 2-0 on the season. QB Justin Fields, starting in place of the injured Russell Wilson for the second straight week, threw for his first touchdown, K Chris Boswell remained perfect on the season and the defense turned in another strong effort, holding the Broncos without a touchdown.
The Steelers struck first, with just under two minutes left in the first quarter, on a five-yard pass from Fields to TE Darnell Washington to cap off a 12-play, 78-yard drive. Pittsburgh added a field goal on the last play of the half and the Steelers defense shut out the Broncos to go into the break up 10-0.
The only scoring in the third quarter came on another Pittsburgh field goal to widen their lead to 13. The Denver offense finally broke through in the fourth, making two field goals to set the final margin 13-6.
Fields completed 13 of 20 passes for 117 yards and one touchdown. RB Najee Harris again led the Pittsburgh run game with 69 yards and TE Pat Freiermuth led in receiving with four receptions for 39 yards. Pittsburgh’s defense forced Denver into three turnovers (two interceptions, one fumble).
Up next, the Steelers open the home portion of their schedule against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 1 PM.
Pirates Eliminated from Playoff Contention, Drop Series to Royals and Cardinals
The Pirates continued their homestand with a three-game weekend series against the Kansas City Royals before traveling to St. Louis for a four-game series against the Cardinals. The Pirates lost the Royals series 2-1 and the Cardinals series 3-1 and were officially eliminated from playoff contention with the Game 1 loss against the Cardinals.
The Pirates dropped the first two games against the Royals, 8-3 and 5-1. Starting pitcher Luis Ortiz had a rough outing in Game 1, giving up seven runs (four earned) and making a throwing error that resulted in three unearned runs. In Game 2, starter Mitch Keller recorded a quality start (six innings pitched, three earned runs), but took the loss as the Pittsburgh offense only mustered one run. The Pirates avoided the sweep with a 4-3 win on Sunday, thanks in large part to their bullpen. Reliever Carmen Mlodzinski earned the win with a scoreless fifth inning and Aroldis Chapman secured the save with a scoreless ninth.
After the weekend series with the Royals, the Pirates traveled to St. Louis for a four-game series against their division-rival Cardinals. The Cardinals shut out the Pirates in Game 1, 4-0, despite a quality start from starter Paul Skenes (six innings pitched, one earned run). In Game 2, RF Bryan De La Cruz staked Pittsburgh to a 1-0 lead with a solo home run in the second, but the Pirates didn’t score again and lost 3-1. The Pirates offense finally came alive in Game 3, but the pitching staff allowed a combined 10 runs (nine earned) and the Pirates lost 10-5. Pittsburgh avoided a sweep with a 3-2 win in Game 4. C Yasmani Grandal hit a solo home run in the seventh to tie the game at two and 2B Nick Gonzales brought in the winning run on an RBI-single in the eighth.
Up next, the Pirates stay on the road for a three-game weekend series with the Cincinnati Reds before returning home to host the division-champion Milwaukee Brewers for a three-game series.
Riverhounds Unbeaten Streak Ends at 10 Matches
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds fell 2-1 to the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday, Sept. 14, ending their unbeaten streak at 10 matches.
Pittsburgh took the lead in the 43rd minute when midfielder Jackson Walti found the bottom left corner of the net on an assist from forward Bertin Jacquesson. The Hounds maintained the one-goal lead until the 71st minute when the Rowdies equalized. The score remained tied going into stoppage time, but the Rowdies scored in the first of eight extra minutes to win 2-1.
The loss dropped the Hounds’ record to 8-10-11, two points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Up next, the Hounds host Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7 PM for Hispanic Heritage Night at Highmark Stadium. $5 from every ticket sold will go to La Promesa Foundation, which provides scholarships to Hispanic students in the Pittsburgh area.
