In Friday’s “First Call,” the “Cole Train” looks to keep rolling. Injury issues for a former Penguin. Some early MLB struggles for a WPIAL star. Meanwhile another WPIAL legend is going into the West Virginia Hall of Fame.
Ten in a row?
Former Pirate Gerrit Cole looks to continue his hot streak Friday night for the Houston Astros. He pitches in Kansas City at 8:15 p.m.
The Astros have won nine straight games when the right-hander has started. Cole has picked up the victory for himself seven times in that stretch. His record is up to 16-5, and his ERA is down to 2.73.
Back in May, Cole was 4-5 with a 4.11 ERA.
Cole is well on the way to 300 strikeouts. He takes to the hill tonight with 281. There should be at least two more starts for Cole after this one against the Royals.
Cole has 10 or more strikeouts in each of his last five starts. He had a season-high 15 in his most recent outing against the Seattle Mariners.
Tampa trouble
Brendan McKay’s MLB rookie season continues to be an adventure.
The Blackhawk High School graduate took the loss Thursday night in Tampa’s 6-3 defeat to the Texas Rangers.
McKay gave up three runs in 3 1/3 innings. The first-round pick out of Louisville is now 2-4 with 5.27 ERA.
The Rays have a half-game lead on Cleveland for the final wild-card spot in the American League.
Reaves regrouping
Former Penguin Ryan Reaves is going to need a little time to get up to speed for the 2019-20 season.
The Vegas Golden Knights enforcer is dealing with an injury.
Ryan Reaves will miss training camp with a minor injury he suffered late in summer workouts. #VegasBorn
— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) September 12, 2019
The Knights open with a home-and-home series against the San Jose Sharks October 2 in Vegas and in San Jose October 4.
That will be a rematch of their memorable seven-game playoff series won by San Jose last April.
All in the family
Former WPIAL basketball star turned West Virginia Mountaineer Meg Bulger is getting inducted into the WVU Hall of Fame Saturday.
She’ll join her sister, Kate, and brother, Marc, as inductees.
Just a couple of WVU women’s basketball Hall of Famers (as of Saturday!) and their brother (). #ThrowbackThursday | #HailWV
cc: @MegBulger4 @MarcBulger10 pic.twitter.com/0uWvXVUiwy
— WVU Women's Basketball (@WVUWBB) September 12, 2019
After starting her career as the Big East Rookie of the Year, Bulger went on to become a two-time Honorable Mention All-American in Morgantown, WV. Bulger departed WVU ranked fifth all-time in career scoring with 1,665 points.
During her four seasons at Oakland Catholic High School, she won 120 games and lost only 10.
Other inductees include WPIAL (Greensburg Salem) star wrestlers Greg and Vertus Jones, Steve Dunlap (football), Darryl Prue (men’s basketball), Lisa Stoia (women’s soccer), John Thornton (football), Dr. Stefan Thynell (rifle) and Pete White (men’s basketball/track & field).
Bring your toys and your root beer
The Robert Morris hockey team is going to play a game at the iconic 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial.
Yes, the home of the Charlestown Chiefs in the movie “Slap Shot.”
The game will be an exhibition contest against Ontario Tech on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020.
Proud to take part in the first-ever @NCAAIceHockey game at the home of 'Slapshot!'
Here's the details on the 2020 College Classic vs. Ontario Tech @RidgebacksMHKY on Jan. 4, presented by @UPMCHealthPlan and hosted by @JohnstownHawks: https://t.co/TgY6CVVw7n#ColonialPride pic.twitter.com/ErqnvAyxjF
— RMU Men’s Hockey (@RMUMHockey) September 11, 2019
This will mark the first time a Division I college hockey team will play at Johnstown’s renowned 69-year-old venue. The 2019-20 Colonials will feature three skaters who played their junior hockey in Johnstown with the Tomahawks: senior Luke Lynch and freshmen Cameron Hebert and Roman Kraemer.
Since the event was just announced, I believe “good seats are still available.”
I assume the Colonials will bus out to the game, and I assume they will make the bus look mean.
