(File Photo: Source for Photo: Athletics’ Tyler Soderstrom, left, Lawrence Butler (4), and Henry Bolte celebrate the Athletics win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in a baseball game Monday, June 15, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Nick Kurtz hit two homers and drove in five runs, Jeff McNeil also went deep and knocked in four, and the Athletics beat the scuffling Pittsburgh Pirates 11-2 on Monday night.

J.T. Ginn pitched six strong innings for the A’s, who returned to their regular temporary home in California after going 4-2 on a homestand at their Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas, where the big league club plans to move into a new stadium in 2028.

McNeil went 3 for 4 and snapped an 0-for-20 slump with an RBI single in the second. Kurtz followed with an opposite-field homer to left for a 3-0 lead and finished 3 for 5.

McNeil hit his third homer to make it 5-1 in the fourth and added an RBI single in the seventh before Kurtz followed with a three-run shot to left. Eight of Kurtz’s 18 home runs have come in June.

Lawrence Butler sparked the five-run seventh with an RBI double after Zack Gelof reached on a two-out error by second baseman Brandon Lowe.

Ginn (5-3) allowed just an unearned run and six hits with two walks, throwing 98 pitches.

Kurtz had the first of three straight singles to load the bases in the first before Jared Jones (1-1) came back to strike out the side. Henry Bolte hit a one-out double before McNeil drove him in during a three-run second.

Jones permitted five runs and eight hits over four innings in his fourth start this season.

Tyler Soderstrom singled in front of Jacob Wilson’s ground-rule double to begin the fifth against Pirates reliever Carmen Mlodzinski. Gelof upped the majors’ longest current hitting streak to 19 games with an RBI single for a 6-1 lead.

Jake Mangum had an RBI single in the fourth for the Pirates, and Endy Rodríguez went 3 for 3 with a solo homer in the eighth.

The Athletics (36-36) moved within a half-game of the first-place Mariners in the AL West.

Pittsburgh (36-37) has lost eight of 10. The Pirates are 9-19 all-time against the A’s.

Up next

Pirates RHP Mitch Keller (5-4, 5.14 ERA) starts Tuesday opposite Athletics RHP Jack Perkins (2-3, 6.25).

(File Photo of the Pittsburgh Steelers Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Steelers unveiled their 2026 season event calendar and game themes today, which features an exciting lineup of entertainment, experiences that are family-friendly and initiatives focused on the community that are designed to enhance the experience for fans throughout the season.

The upcoming schedule for the Steelers features opening this year’s NFL season at home, a home game held on Black Friday for the first time ever, and Acrisure Stadium hosting a Sunday night game.

According to a release from the Pittsburgh Steelers, here is the event calendar and game themes for the upcoming season.

Wednesday, July 29th – Monday, August 17th Steelers Training Camp 2026
• The Steelers invite fans to attend training camp at Saint Vincent College this summer.
• Presented by FedEX, fans will have the chance to take home prizes and giveaways, participate
in fan activities including football drills, take advantage of photo ops with Steelers legends,
get gear directly from the team at the Pro Shop tent and more.
• Fans can find a schedule listing all dates that practice will be open to the public and reserve
tickets here.

Thursday, August 13th vs. Green Bay Packers (Preseason)
• The Steelers invite fans to ‘Play Football,’ a game celebrating youth football and half-time
activities highlighting local athletes.
• Fans can learn more and purchase tickets to the game here.

Friday, August 21st vs. New York Jets (Preseason)
• The Steelers invite fans to ‘Family Day,’ a chance for the whole family to enjoy football, kids’
activities, and fun and witness the team in action before the regular season begins.
• As part of Family Day, fans are encouraged to bring the whole family to enjoy football, food
trucks, and activities around Acrisure Stadium. The Play Football game will celebrate young
athletes of all ages, from beginners to high school players, with activities throughout the
evening and halftime recognition of local athletes.
• Fans can learn more and purchase tickets to the game here.

Sunday, September 13th vs. Atlanta Falcons

• The Steelers welcome fans back to Acrisure Stadium for the ‘Home Opener.’
• Steelers Run Walk will be held on Monday, September 7th at Acrisure Stadium. The annual race
benefits the Art Rooney Scholarship Fund and the Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury
Research. Fans can learn more here.
• Celebrate the start of football at the Kickoff and Rib Festival at Acrisure Stadium, presented
by I.C. Light, September 3rd-7th. Admission is free, and you can enjoy national rib vendors, football,
music, and other fun activities. Stay tuned for more fun activities planned for Kickoff
Weekend! Fans can find information on the Kickoff and Rib Festival here.
• Fans can learn more and purchase tickets to the game here.

Sunday, September 27th vs. Cincinnati Bengals

• The Steelers will celebrate the 2026 Hall of Honor Class with a halftime on-field
presentation.
• The Hall of Honor Dinner, a Steelers Charities event, will be held on Friday, September 25th, when
the team officially inducts this year’s Hall of Honor class during a special ceremony at
Acrisure Stadium. The 2026 Hall of Honor Class will be announced during training camp. A
limited number of tickets to the dinner are available for purchase here.
• Fans can learn more and purchase tickets to the game here.

Sunday, October 11th vs. Indianapolis Colts

• The ‘Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer’ game supports the fight against cancer through early
detection and risk reduction. This is highlighted by NFL teams during October. There will be no shortage of support throughout Acrisure Stadium, with on-field stencils and goal post
wraps among the featured items supporting Crucial Catch. Players and coaches will also
show their support with sideline apparel visible.
• Before the Steelers take the field on Sunday, they will be hitting the runway for the team’s
annual Steelers Charities event, Steelers Style, which will be held on Friday, October 9th.
• This is the team’s largest philanthropic event benefiting UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion
Program, Cancer Bridges & the Chuck Noll Foundation. Fans can learn more and request
ticket information here.
• Fans can learn more and purchase tickets to the game here.

Sunday, November 1st vs. Cleveland Browns

• The Steelers will kick-off Halloween week by hosting their annual Spooktacular, a family-
friendly activity for youth to participate in a trick-or-treat experience at Acrisure Stadium taking place on Tuesday, October 20th. Learn more & check back for future event details here.
• The ‘Salute to Service’ game is the Steelers representation of the yearly commitment to
honor, empower, and connect with service members, veterans, and their families. Since the
inception of the NFL’s Salute to Service initiative, the Steelers have honored veterans at the
annual game and celebrated those who continue to serve in all branches of the armed forces.
• Fans can learn more and purchase tickets to the game here.

Sunday, December 6th vs. Houston Texans

• ‘Alumni Weekend,’ brings back former players, coaches, and staff members to Pittsburgh to be
recognized and celebrated during weekend activities. This year’s theme is Celebrating the 90s.
The Alumni Weekend Dinner, a Steelers Charities event, where former Steelers share
iconic behind-the-scenes stories from their time with the team, will be held on
Saturday, December 5th. The event benefits the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion
Program. A limited number of tickets are available for purchase here.

• As part of the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative, Steelers players will wear custom-
designed cleats against the Texans to highlight causes and charities important to them. Now in its 10th year, the league-wide program gives players the opportunity to raise awareness and
support for nonprofits, with players also able to auction their cleats afterward to benefit their
selected organizations. Fans may bid on player cleats at NFL.com/Auction.
• Fans can learn more and purchase tickets to the game here.

Sunday, December 20th vs. Baltimore Ravens

• ‘Inspire Change,’ the NFL’s social justice campaign, highlights and rewards those who are
making a difference and allows fans to learn about the incredible work they are doing to make
the region better.
• Fans can learn more and purchase tickets to the game here.

Date TBD vs. Carolina Panthers

• The ‘Thank You Fans’ game is an opportunity for the organization to show their gratitude for
all the support during the season and year-round from Steelers Nation. There will be
giveaways and a lot of excitement for fans in attendance as the team celebrates the holidays
and says thank you.
• Fans can learn more and purchase tickets to the game here.
Individual tickets for the 2026 season are available here.
Stay tuned for more information on our 2026 Themes and Events Calendar as additional details
are released here.

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Bildbyrån)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh Penguins President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas announced on Saturday that the Penguins have acquired forward Oliver Okuliar from the Florida Panthers in exchange for defenseman Emil Pieniniemi.

Okuliar is now an unsigned restricted free agent and the 6-foot-2, 190-pound forward spent the 2025-26 year with Skellefteå AIK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).

He appeared in 46 games and had statistics of 15 goals, 14 assists and 29 points as well as being plus-17. Okuliar helped his team to the league’s best regular-season record.

Okuliar finished tied for first in the SHL in goals (6) and was second overall in points (13) in 15 postseason games in the SHL playoffs on the way to a SHL Championship.

He is from Trencin, Slovakia and represented his home country at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games in Italy.