Howard completes string of scoreless appearances

Cartersville High grad and former Georgia Southern University left-handed pitcher Sam Howard completed his third straight scoreless appearance for the Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday. Now with nine appearances for the MLB club in August, Howard is 1-1 with a 3.72 ERA out of the Pirates’ bullpen in 9.2 innings. He has 14 strikeouts with a 1.24 WHIP. Opponents have a .222 batting average against the 27-year-old southpaw. Howard started his season with three consecutive scoreless appearances before allowing runs in three straight. His current scoreless streak has all been in home games that started last Thursday with a one inning appearance against Cleveland. He then recorded two outs against Milwaukee in Pittsburgh wins Friday and Sunday. The Pirates are 7-17 and currently in last place in the National League Central Division.