(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Steelers)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pennsylvania World Cup Fan Zone, which is presented by Visit PA, has added another watch party at Acrisure Stadium so soccer fans can cheer on the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team as it faces Belgium in a FIFA World
Cup 2026™ knockout round.

This watch party will take place tonight for that night’s 8 p.m. match between the United States and Belgium with the gates opening at 6:30 p.m.

Admission is free and the public can watch the game and the first 500 fans that go through the gates will receive a free Team USA hat.

There will also be one giveaway item for each guest, while supplies last.

According to a release form the Pittsburgh Steelers, here is some other information about this event.

For more information on the Pennsylvania World Cup Fan Zone in Pittsburgh, go to https://acrisurestadium.com/event/world-cup-fan-zone-july-4-2026

CLEAR BAG POLICY: The NFL Clear Bag Policy that limits the size and type of bags that may be
brought into the stadium will be enforced. Learn more by visiting https://acrisurestadium.com/guest-services/clear-bag-policy/

CASHLESS VENUE: The stadium is a cashless venue. Credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay and Google
Pay are accepted.

PROHIBITED ITEMS: For a list of prohibited items, please visit https://acrisurestadium.com/guest-services/security-guidelines/?spMailingID=13757208&spUserID=ODgxNjQwMTQ4MTc4S0&spJobID=2480014227&spReportId=MjQ4MDAxNDIyNwS2

Fans can watch from the field
where additional restrictions apply: no blankets and no food or beverages (except water).

(Credit for  Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Posted on Facebook on July 4th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The 2026 MLB All-Star game rosters were revealed on Saturday and Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes has made the National League team for the third year in a row. 

The 2025 National League Cy Young Award winner is a part of the reserves for the National League this year after he was the starting pitcher for that league in the 2024 and 2025 editions of baseball’s all-star game.

Skenes is also the only player from this year’s Pirates team to be represented in this year’s MLB all-star game, which will take place in Philadelphia on July 14th.

Skenes’ 2026 statistics going into his next start tomorrow against the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park include 119 strikeouts, a 3.62 ERA, and a 6-8 record.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Texas Rangers designated hitter Andrew McCutchen (4) in the fith inning of a baseball game May 20, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves signed former NL MVP outfielder Andrew McCutchen to a minor league contract on Friday in their ongoing search for a veteran who can provide offensive help.

The 39-year-old McCutchen was released by the Texas Rangers on May 27 after he hit .192 in 37 games as a designated hitter, pinch hitter and outfielder.

The NL East-leading Braves (50-35) signed first baseman Carlos Santana, 40, to a minor league deal last week. McCutchen, the 2013 NL MVP with Pittsburgh, is expected to soon report to Triple-A Gwinnett. On Thursday, another veteran first baseman, Rowdy Tellez, was designated for assignment as rookie shortstop Jim Jarvis was recalled from Gwinnett.

McCutchen played his first nine seasons in the majors with the Pirates and earned five straight All-Star berths from 2011-15 while becoming one of the team’s most popular players. After stints with five other teams from 2018-22, he returned to the Pirates for the 2023-25 seasons.

In 2025, McCutchen hit .239 with 13 homers and 57 RBIs in 135 games before becoming a free agent. He is a career .271 hitter with 333 homers, 1,157 RBIs and 220 stolen bases in 2,299 games.

Braves manager Walt Weiss said McCutchen is “one of the most respected players in the game. … He’s a pretty cool name to have in a Braves uniform.”

Weiss said McCutchen will be a good leader for young players. “He’s going to impact any room he’s in,” Weiss said.

The Braves on Friday also recalled right-hander Anthony Molina, activated left-hander Danny Young (elbow) from the injured list and optioned right-hander James Karinchak to Gwinnett. Right-hander Ian Hamilton was designated for assignment.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Tyler Callihan runs toward third base on a throwing error by Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli on a pickoff-attempt during the second inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Konnor Griffin had a tiebreaking two-run single in the eighth inning, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Washington Nationals 11-5 on Sunday in a game in which he was also spectacular in the field.

Brandon Lowe followed Griffin’s key hit with a three-run homer off Brad Lord (5-2) to extend the lead.

Griffin, the 20-year-old who received a nine-year, $140 million contract in April, showed why the Pirates view him as such an important part of their future. He made a diving stop in the third on Curtis Mead’s grounder, but Mead beat the throw for an infield single.

In the fourth, Griffin had to fight the sun on Keibert Ruiz’s popup to shallow left field, making a diving, backhanded grab. The following inning, he made another backhanded, sliding catch in the outfield, although James Wood was able to tag up and beat the throw home, resulting in a rare sacrifice fly to the shortstop.

Gregory Soto (5-2) got the win in relief. The Pirates blew a 4-0 lead before going ahead for good with their five-run eighth. Bryan Reynolds also homered for Pittsburgh, and Luis García Jr. and Dylan Crews went deep for Washington.

Cade Cavalli, who is appealing a suspension for his role in Tuesday’s bench-clearing dustup at Boston, allowed three earned runs and six hits in 2 1/3 innings. Tyler Callihan opened the scoring for Pittsburgh with a two-run single in the second, and after an error on Cavalli on a pickoff attempt, he scored on Jake Mangum’s single.

Reynolds led off the fourth with his 13th homer of the year to make it 4-0.

García hit a two-run shot — his 19th — in the bottom of the third, and the Nationals scored runs in the fourth and fifth to tie it. Pirates starter Bubba Chandler allowed four runs in four-plus innings.

Griffin’s hit with the bases loaded in the eighth put Pittsburgh up 6-4 and Lowe followed with a drive to right for his 21st homer. Crews went deep for the Nationals in the bottom of the inning.

Henry Davis hit a two-run single in the top of the ninth.

Up next

After an off day, the Pirates send Paul Skenes (6-8) to the mound Tuesday night at home against Atlanta.

Washington hosts Houston on Monday night. Miles Mikolas (2-7) — who also is appealing a suspension — starts for the Nationals.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcraft throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Braxton Ashcraft won his fourth consecutive start and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Washington Nationals 7-1 on Saturday.

Henry Davis and Brandon Lowe both drove in two runs for Pittsburgh, which got back to .500 at 45-45 after dropping three of its past four.

Pirates rookie Konnor Griffin stole home as part of a double steal with two outs in the first inning to open the scoring. Griffin earlier stole second after a leadoff single and the Pirates had four stolen bases for the game.

James Wood hit a leadoff homer for the Nationals, whose three-game winning streak ended.

Ashcraft (9-3) allowed a run and six hits in 5 2/3 innings and struck out seven. The 26-year-old right-hander has a 3.04 ERA and 32 strikeouts in four starts since June 17 and has won eight of his past nine decisions.

With the game tied 1-1, Nationals opener Carson Palmquist (0-1) loaded the bases with none out in the second before yielding to Zack Littell.

Davis then drove in a run with an infield single, and Lowe added a two-run single two batters later. Esmerlyn Valdez made it 5-1 with a run-scoring single later in the inning.

Littell gave up a run in six innings while striking out three.

Pittsburgh added two runs in the eighth against Riley Cornelio on Nick Gonzales’ RBI single and Davis’ bases-loaded walk.

Wood hit Ashcraft’s first pitch of the day 428 feet into the third deck in right field to tie it. It was his 23rd of the season, including his seventh leadoff shot.

Washington outfielder Jacob Young was scratched from the lineup about 40 minutes before the game with left hand soreness.

Up next

Pittsburgh RHP Bubba Chandler (3-8, 4.62 ERA) faces Washington RHP Miles Mikolas (2-7, 5.44) as the three-game series concludes Sunday.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Washington Nationals’ Luis García Jr. is greeted in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball gamea gainst the Pittsburgh Pirates, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Luis García Jr. and Daylen Lile each homered twice, and José Tena also went deep for Washington as the Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-5 on Friday night.

Foster Griffin (9-2) allowed a run and four hits in five innings, lowering his ERA to 2.87 for the Nationals. Washington has won five of six.

Bryan Reynolds homered for Pittsburgh. Mitch Keller (6-6) allowed five runs and eight hits in six innings.

The temperature at game time was 100 degrees, and the ball was certainly carrying. García opened the scoring in the first with his 17th homer of the season, a solo shot to right. An inning later, Lile hit a 417-foot drive to center to make it 2-0.

Reynolds’ solo homer to center in the third went 426 feet to get the Pirates on the board, but after James Wood led off the bottom half with a triple, Tena hit a two-run shot — also to center — that went 434 feet.

Lile’s RBI double later that inning made it 5-1.

García connected again in the seventh, hitting a two-run shot off reliever Isaac Mattson. Lile’s second homer was a two-run drive in the eighth.

Brandon Lowe, Reynolds and Esmerlyn Valdez hit consecutive RBI doubles in the ninth for the Pirates, and Nick Gonzales added another one an out later.

Griffin improved to 5-0 in his last nine starts, with the Nationals going 8-1 in those games. He’s allowed one run or fewer in six straight outings, although he had only two strikeouts Friday, his fewest since April 11.

Up next

Zack Littell (7-6, 5.29 ERA) starts for Washington against Pittsburgh’s Braxton Ashcraft (8-3, 3.33) on Saturday in a July 4 game set to start at 11:05 a.m.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Esmerlyn Valdez hits a run-scoring single against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Tim Mayza during the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 2, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Esmerlyn Valdez tripled, singled and knocked in two runs, Endy Rodriguez and Nick Gonzales homered and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-1 on Thursday.

The Pirates split their four-game series in Philadelphia, closing with a win against a Phillies team that had won 11 of its previous 15 games at Citizens Bank Park.

Jake Mangum had three hits and a run scored, while Brandon Lowe had a pair of hits, scored a run and reached safely three times for Pittsburgh. The Pirates had 14 hits and limited the Phillies to four.

Phillies starting pitcher Alan Rangel, promoted recently from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, held his own against the Pirates but didn’t last long.

Rangel threw 90 pitches in four innings, allowing no runs on only three hits, but with four walks and four strikeouts. He left with a 1-0 lead, courtesy of Bryce Harper’s two-out, RBI double to left field in the third.

That left runners on second and third, but Pirates starter Jared Jones escaped further damage by getting Brandon Marsh on a fly to right. Jones also lasted four innings, allowing two hits with six strikeouts.

The Pirates tied it in the fifth against Tim Mayza, who gave up a double to leadoff hitter Mangum and a single to Brandon Lowe. Valdez then singled home Mangum with a tying run.

Pittsburgh took the lead off Jose Alvarado (3-3) in the seventh inning as Valdez tripled home Lowe, and Gonzales, who had three hits and two RBIs, knocked in Valdez. Gonzales homered in the ninth.

Carmen Mlodzinski (5-3) allowed two hits over three scoreless innings for the Pirates.

Up next

Pirates: Start a three-game series in Washington on Friday night, running RHP Mitch Keller (6-5, 4.87 ERA) out against Nationals LHP Foster Griffin (8-2, 2.93 ERA).

Phillies: After a Friday off day, they play Saturday night in Kansas City, with LHP Jesus Luzardo (6-4, 3.88 ERA) going against Royals RHP Michael Wacha (5-5, 3.31 ERA).

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Paul Skenes pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Struggling Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes isn’t pretending to know the answers to his sudden slipups on the mound, from where he’s dominated for two seasons.

At least he wasn’t offering any on Wednesday night after his worst outing of the year. Skenes (6-8) lasted only four innings against the Philadelphia Phillies and allowed a season-high seven earned runs in a 10-6 loss.

Since beating Colorado 3-1 on May 12 to improve to 6-2 with a 1.98 ERA, the defending NL Cy Young Award winner has not won over his last nine starts, his record falling to 6-8 and his ERA climbing to 3.62. His puzzlement is growing, too.

“I didn’t execute very well,” Skenes said. “That’s really what it comes down to. I fell behind on some counts and left some balls over the plate.”

He also took his time doing it. Skenes threw 35 pitches during a five-run Phillies second inning, highlighted by Trea Turner’s three-run homer.

“I think we’ve got a good team,” Turner said. “I think sometimes there’s no explanation, but I feel like we’ve got a good lineup and we battle. We know he’s really good, and he’s always going to give us a fight, and you kind of tip your cap when he gets you and move on, and try to have the next guy pick you up. I thought we did a good job keeping it moving against him.”

In an anticipated duel of aces and a rematch between Skenes and Philadelphia’s Zack Wheeler, played on a humid night with temperatures in the 90s, neither pitcher worked to his standard.

Skenes’ first loss in this slide came at PNC Park on May 17 at the hands of Wheeler and the Phillies, 6-0. In that game, he didn’t allow a run until the fifth inning.

On Wednesday night, the Phillies didn’t wait that long.

Pirates third baseman Nick Gonzales fielded Justin Crawford’s bases loaded grounder in the second inning and seemingly had a routine force play at the plate, but he fired the ball off runner Alec Bohm’s hand and allowed two runs to score.

Said Pirates manager Don Kelly: “The baserunner did a good job getting in the way.”

Next batter Turner hit a pitch from Skenes into the seats for his third homer in as many games to make it 5-0.

Skenes gave up a home run to Brandon Marsh in the third. And before he bowed out, he watched Bryce Harper’s liner get misjudged by Pirates left fielder Tyler Callihan for a two-run double.

It seemed Skenes’ luck was off just as much as his command.

“They’re a good lineup, but I haven’t made it easy on myself,” Skenes said. “I just have to execute a few pitches a little better, and I think it’s probably a different story.

“I don’t know … it happens. We’ll figure out what it is and we’ll just keep attacking it.”

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Steelers)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The opening of the Pennsylvania World Cup Fan Zone which is presented by Visit PA in Pittsburgh is now set with a free, two-day Fourth of July weekend celebration at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday, July 4th and Sunday, July 5th.

It features an America 250 Festival, activities that are family friendly, FIFA World Cup 2026™ watch parties, fan experiences that are interactive, music and youth soccer clinics.   

According to a release from the Pittsburgh Steelers, here is more information about this event:

JULY 4TH HIGHLIGHTS:
• FIFA World Cup 2026™ Round of 16 games begin at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• America 250 Festival inside and outside the stadium
• Free youth soccer clinics on the field at the stadium presented by Citiparks, Riverhounds
Academy, SPORTSPittsburgh and Special Olympics Pennsylvania
• Family-friendly activities, Ferris wheel rides, food and beverage vendors and interactive fan experiences

• Free concert by DIAMOND-selling country artist Brett Young outside Gate A following the
evening match
• Free World Cup giveaways
• Largest fireworks display in Pittsburgh’s history

JULY 5TH HIGHLIGHTS:
• FIFA World Cup 2026™ Round of 16 games begin at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• America 250 Festival inside and outside the stadium
• Free youth soccer clinics on the field at the stadium presented by Citiparks, Riverhounds
Academy, SPORTSPittsburgh and Special Olympics Pennsylvania
• Family-friendly activities, Ferris wheel rides, food and beverage vendors and interactive fan experiences
• Free Party on the Plaza with DJ Pauly D following the conclusion of the 8 p.m. match
• Free World Cup giveaways

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

GATES OPEN & ENTRY
• Saturday, July 4th: Guests can enter the stadium via Gate A East starting at 11 a.m.
• Sunday, July 5th: Guests can enter the stadium via Gate A East starting at 2 p.m.

ROAD CLOSURES
On July 4th, starting at 11 a.m., North Shore Drive will be closed from Casino Drive to Chuck Noll Way.
North Shore Drive will reopen on July 5th.

WEATHER ALERT
High temperatures are expected. Fans are encouraged to be prepared to ensure a safe and
enjoyable experience. Stay hydrated by drinking water regularly, seek shade when needed and wear
light, breathable apparel.

CLEAR BAG POLICY
To provide a safer environment for the public and significantly expedite fan entry into the stadium,
the NFL Clear Bag Policy that limits the size and type of bags that may be brought into the stadium
will be enforced. Learn more by clicking here.

CASHLESS VENUE
The stadium is a cashless venue. Credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay are
accepted.

PROHIBITED ITEMS
For a list of prohibited items, please visit this link by clicking here. Fans can watch the games from the field, but
additional restrictions apply, including no blankets and no food or beverage (except water) being
permitted on the field.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Stuart Skinner, left, makes a save against Calgary Flames’ Adam Klapka during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Calgary, Alberta, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (Larry MacDougal/The Canadian Press via AP)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The NHL’s free agency period began yesterday, and the Pittsburgh Penguins received some new players and some of their current players went to other teams.

Some of the Penguins’ free agency moves were as follows: 

Penguins goaltender Stuart Skinner signed a two-year contract with the Winnipeg Jets yesterday. According to the Jets, the free agent goaltender agreed to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.75 million. The Penguins received Skinner from the Edmonton Oilers in a trade that sent fellow goaltender Tristan Jarry to the Oilers on December 12th, 2025. 

Penguins forward Noel Acciari signed with the Philadelphia Flyers yesterday. His contract is two years and has an average annual value of $2.8 million. He had 26 points in 73 games played for the Penguins combined for the 2025-2026 regular season and playoffs. 

Penguins defenseman Connor Clifton signed with the Boston Bruins yesterday. Clifton has played for the Bruins from 2018-2025, and his contract is for two years. The average annual value of his contract is $2.5 million. He had 6 points in 53 games played for the Bruins combined for the 2025-2026 regular season and playoffs. 

The Penguins signed defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk. His contract is for two years and he played for the Washington Capitals last season and the average annual value of his contract is 4 million. He tallied 14 points in 68 games played with the Capitals during the 2025-2026 season. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded left winger Nick Robertson to Penguins yesterday. The Penguins acquired Robertson by giving a 2028 fourth round MHL draft pick to the Maple Leafs. He is only twenty-four years old and had thirty-two points in seventy-eight games played for the Maple Leafs this past season. 

Forward Andrei Kuzmenko signed a one-year contract with the Penguins yesterday for $5 million. Kuzmenko played for the Los Angeles Kings last season. He had twenty-five points in fifty-three games played for the Kings combined for the 2025-2026 regular season and playoffs. 

Defenseman Declan Carlile signed a two-year contract with the Penguins yesterday with an average annual value of $1.5 million. He played for the Tampa Bay Lightning as well as their AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, last season. He had three points in forty-four games played for the Lightning combined for the 2025-2026 regular season and playoffs.