Nationals agree to terms with Harrison on 1-year contract
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with utility man Josh Harrison. The 33-year-old returns to Washington after hitting .278 with two doubles, three home runs, 14 RBIs, six walks and 11 runs scored with the Nationals last season. He hit .309 as a starter as manager Dave Martinez wrote Harrison into the lineup at second base, third base, left field, right field and designated hitter. Harrison is a two-time National League All Star who spent his first eight major league season with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Indians rally for 8-6 win over Pirates, could host playoffs
By BRIAN DULIK Associated Press
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians could be staying home for the first round of the postseason. Carlos Santana had four RBIs and delivered a go-ahead, two-run double in the seventh inning as the Indians rallied for an 8-6 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates to put themselves in position to gain home-field advantage for their AL wild-card series. The Indians need the Chicago White Sox to lose to the Cubs to move into second place in the AL Central and fourth in the AL on the final day of the regular season. The Pirates held a 6-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth, when Franmil Reyes belted a three-run homer that chased starter JT Brubaker and began the comeback.

Kuhl goes 7 sharp innings, Pirates beat slumping Cubs 7-0
JOHN PERROTTO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Chad Kuhl pitched seven sharp innings and Colin Moran and Bryan Reynolds hit home runs in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 7-0 victory over the slumping Chicago Cubs on Thursday. Kuhl finished his comeback season on a strong note, allowing two hits, struck out five hits and three walks. He sat out last season while rehabbing after Tommy John surgery. The Cubs, who clinched a postseason berth Tuesday, are stumbling toward the playoffs with five losses in six games. They have scored two or fewer runs in each of the five defeats.

Lester cruises, Schwarber responds as Cubs top Pirates 5-0
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jon Lester scattered four hits over six innings and the Chicago Cubs inched closer to their first NL Central title since 2017 with a 5-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Lester struck out one and walked one to pick up his first victory since Aug. 11. He retired the first nine batters he faced and kept the lowest-scoring team in the majors in check. Kyle Schwarber responded to being benched in the middle of a loss to Minnesota by doubling twice and driving in a pair of insurance runs in the eighth with a shot to the gap in right-center field.

Moustakas homers as Reds sweep Pirates with 9-4 win
CINCINNATI (AP) — Mike Moustakas hit a big three-run homer in the fifth inning, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-4 for a doubleheader sweep. Moustakas drove in Shogo Akiyama and Eugenio Suárez with a two-out shot to center off Nik Turley. Pittsburgh had just taken a 4-3 lead on rookie Ke’Bryan Hayes’ two-run shot with two out in the top half of the inning. Brian Goodwin and Joey Votto also connected for Cincinnati, which won a third straight game for the first time since Aug. 28.

Mondesi has HR, SB; Zimmer gets 1st win as Royals top Bucs
By AVERY OSEN Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Adalberto Mondesi homered and stole a base for the third consecutive game, Kyle Zimmer got his first career win after a winding path to the major leagues and the Kansas City Royals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-4. Whit Merrifield added a solo homer and the Royals won their fifth straight game. It was the third consecutive loss for Pittsburgh. Mondesi and Bobby Abreu in 2004 are the only players to homer and steal a base in three straight games since at least 1901, according to MLB.com.