Hometown Broadcasting Sports Wednesday 7/29/20
29 July 2020 Sports
Adam Frazier hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied for an 8-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night. A day after blowing a four-run lead in the ninth in what became an 11-inning loss, Pittsburgh delivered a bit of payback thanks to a shaky performance by the Milwaukee bullpen. Cole Tucker went 2 for 4 for the Pirates, including a double leading off the eighth against Bobby Wahl (0-1). With one out and Tucker on third, Frazier sent the second pitch he saw from Wahl halfway up one of the tarps covering the seats in right field at empty PNC Park. Geoff Hartlieb (1-0) picked up his first major league win after being called up earlier in the afternoon. Nick Burdi worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth to collect the first save of his career.
Keston Hiura hit a two-run drive in the sixth and a sacrifice fly in the seventh as part of a four-run burst that gave the Brewers a 6-2 lead. Pittsburgh responded immediately, tying it on the bottom of the inning thanks in part to a throwing error by Milwaukee first baseman Justin Smoak with the bases loaded that allowed two runs to score.
Brewers star Christian Yelich‘s rough start continued. The 2018 NL MVP is hitting just .045 (1 for 22) after going 0 for 4. Milwaukee starter Josh Lindblom lasted 3 2/3 innings in his return to the major leagues following two years in the Korean Baseball Organization, where won the league’s version of the Cy Young Award in 2019. Lindblom gave up two runs and three hits before exiting with what the team called “back cramps.” Derek Holland threw 5 2/3 innings in his first start for the Pirates after making the team as a non-roster invitee. The 11-year veteran surrendered two runs and two hits before both bullpens turned things into a bit of a mess.
RHP Brandon Woodruff (0-1) makes his second start of the season when the series wraps up tonight. Woodruff allowed two runs in five innings in a 3-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs on opening day. First pitch is at 6:05 and the game can be heard on AM1100/98.3FM, WISS.
Elsewhere in the NL Central, the Cubs beat the Reds 8-5 and the Twins beat the Cardinals 6-3. The Cubs lead the division by 1 ½ games over the Cardinals and the Brewers and Pirates are two games back and the Reds, three games behind.
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Packers wide receiver Devin Funchess has decided to opt out of this year’s NFL season due to family reasons. In an Instagram post, Funchess said his “closest family members have experienced the life-threatening impact of COVID-19 first hand”, and “for their and my own safety, I’ve decided to opt out of the upcoming NFL season”.
Funchess wrote it wasn’t a decision he took lightly, but said it is what is best for his family and himself. He also thanked the Packers for their understanding and for giving him a chance to be part of the franchise, and ended saying he’s looking forward to getting back to work with them next season. The opt out has been made official, since it is now on the NFL transaction wire. -0-
Packers Linebacker Greg Roberts was the first player to be put on the COVID-19/Reserve list by the team. The COVID-19/Reserve list is a category created for a player who either tests positive for COVID-19 or who has been quarantined after having been in close contact with an infected person. It does not necessarily mean a positive test.
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Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers have returned to Lambeau Field and began getting tested for coronavirus. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, running back Aaron Jones, and wide receivers Davante Adams and Allen Lazard arrived at Lambeau Tuesday morning for the mandatory testing. A testing tent has been set up outside the stadium. Veteran players will get their first round of tests Tuesday. Rookies get their first round of tests Sunday. The players will have to go through a second round of tests. Each player requires two negative tests before they can enter Lambeau Field for practice. No fans will be allowed at Packers training camp this season. The virus has interrupted one of the league’s most cherished traditions that includes the bike corral and rail birds.
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Aaron Rodgers has been the subject of speculation concerning his long-term future in Green Bay after the Packers took quarterback Jordan Love in the first round of this year’s draft. Rodgers was asked yesterday during an interview with NFL Media’s Kyle Brandt what he thinks is going to happen. Rodgers said the situation is different than when he was drafted and waited three years behind Brett Favre for his chance. Now he says, when quarterbacks are drafted they’re expected to play right away. Rodgers said he understands but still hopes he would play his whole career as a Packer. Upon hearing the news, Rodgers told Brandt, I love scotch, but I’ve been drinking some sipping tequila lately as well. And once I got that text [that Love was the pick], I went to the pantry, I poured myself about four fingers [of tequila] and I knew it was going to be one of those nights where people start calling.”
Rodgers said he was hoping the Packers would draft a wide receiver after they traded up four picks to get the 26th selection.
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