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.

Center-seeking Wild acquire Nick Bjugstad from Penguins
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Wild have acquired center Nick Bjugstad from the Pittsburgh Penguins for a conditional selection in the 2021 draft. The swap includes the Penguins covering an unspecified portion of Bjugstad’s $5.25 million salary next season. The 28-year-old native of Minnesota played in only 13 games for the Penguins in the virus-shortened 2019-20 season. Most of his absence was due to a core muscle injury that required surgery. The 6-foot-6, 215-pound Bjugstad was drafted with the 19th overall pick by the Florida Panthers in 2010. He had a career-best 49 points in 82 games with the Panthers in 2017-18.

Error in ninth inning gives Pirates 5-4 win over White Sox
By JOHN PERROTTO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pinch-runner Jason Martin scored the winning run on catcher Yasmani Grandal’s error in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied for a 5-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox. With the score tied at 4, the Pirates loaded the bases with none out. Gregory Polanco and Josh Bell singled and, after both runners advanced on a wild pitch, Ke’Bryan Hayes was intentionally walked to load the bases. Kevin Newman then hit a nubber in front of home plate. Pitcher Jimmy Cordero fielded the ball and shoveled it to Grandal in attempt to get a force out at home plate, but Grandal dropped the toss and Martin, who ran for Polanco, scored.

Pirates get to Bauer, earn doubleheader split with Reds
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates took advantage of an uncharacteristically average performance by Cincinnati’s Trevor Bauer to earn a doubleheader split with a 4-3 win in the nightcap. The Reds took the opener 4-2 behind the strength of Luis Castillo, who picked up his first victory in nearly a year when he worked six solid innings. Cincinnati, however, missed a chance to sweep a doubleheader for the third time this season when the Pirates scrounged up just enough offense against Bauer. The Reds right-hander allowed six hits in six innings with two walks and seven strikeouts. His record fell to 3-3.