Local sports briefs
Sidelined
Kriek on hiatus
Herald-Standard sports correspondent Jim Kriek is a patient at Westmoreland Regional Hospital in Greensburg, where he is recovering from surgery.
He regrets that his “Out of the Past’ column will have to be put on the back burner until he is feeling well enough to write again, but he said that he would be happy to hear from his friends and faithful readers.
Well-wishers who want to drop him a line can do by sending cards or letters. His hospital address if Room 161-A, Westmoreland Regional Hospital, Greensburg, Pa., 15601.
Golf
Leichliter gets ace
Chuck Leichliter scored a hole-in-one on the 145-yard No. 6 hole at Summit Golf Course on Monday.
He used a 9-iron for the memorable shot, which was witnessed by Bill Bloom, George Svokos and Phil Mongell.
Hockey
Penguins claim Stewart
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Forward Karl Stewart, traded to the Anaheim Ducks last month, was claimed on waivers Wednesday by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The 23-year-old Stewart played in 13 games with the Atlanta Thrashers during the 2003-04 and 2005-06 seasons, getting one assist and 19 penalty minutes.
Stewart was acquired by Anaheim with a second-round draft pick for defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski in an Aug. 17 trade with Atlanta.
Baseball
Snell to miss last start
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Rookie right-hander Ian Snell, one victory short of becoming the Pittsburgh Pirates’ first 15-game winner in seven years, will miss Sunday’s scheduled start against Cincinnati because of tightness in his right elbow.
Snell was the losing pitcher Tuesday in a 7-4 loss to Houston, giving up six runs, four earned, in five innings. He complained afterward of having problems locating his pitches and not being able to throw with a free, easy motion.
“There’s no question that he fought with his mechanics a major portion of his outing, so we’re not going into venture into Sunday,” manager Jim Tracy said Wednesday. “Yeah, he’s wearing down some. So why run the risk knowing what an integral part of this pitching staff he is going to be in 2007?”
Snell was 1-3 in 18 career games before leading the Pirates’ staff in victories this season. No other pitcher on the club has more than 10 wins.
Todd Ritchie was the Pirates’ last 15-game winner, going 15-9 in 1999.