Hudson ends Bucs' streak
PITTSBURGH — Tim Hudson showed again that a well-pitched game is the easiest and best way to end an extended streak. Or, on this day, a number of streaks.
Hudson limited Pittsburgh to two hits and an unearned run over seven innings and the Atlanta Braves halted their seven-game road losing slide with an 8-1 victory that concluded Monday’s doubleheader.
In the opener, Freddy Sanchez hit a three-run double and Zach Duke pitched six shutout innings as the Pirates won 5-0 for their sixth consecutive win.
With Mark Kotsay and Brian McCann driving in three runs each, Atlanta avoided its first four-game sweep by Pittsburgh since Sept. 1-3, 1978. The Pirates’ winning streak was their longest since they won 10 straight from June 25-July 5, 2004.
‘‘We were able to get a nice lead and I was able to relax,’’ Hudson said after winning his third in a row, all with dominating outings. ‘‘I did a pretty good job of changing speeds off my fastball.
Top pick robbed at gunpoint
CHICAGO — Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall was robbed at gunpoint along the Chicago lakefront early Monday, his mother and agent said.
» Full StorySteelers add 12 free agents
PITTSBURGH — Dorien Bryant, one of the nation’s most productive pass receivers and kick returners last season at Purdue, was among 12 rookie free agents signed Monday by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Steelers focus on offense
PITTSBURGH — Dennis Dixon isn’t debating how high he would have gone in the NFL draft if he hadn’t torn up a knee. Or how much money the injury cost him.
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PITTSBURGH — Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall was linked to a number of teams before the NFL draft. The Pittsburgh Steelers were almost never mentioned.
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After giving up 47 sacks in 2007 and losing their top lineman to free agency, it would seem logical that the Steelers would be focusing on the offensive line in today’s first two rounds of the NFL draft.
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