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.

New father Reynolds homers as Pirates top Cubs 6-2
PITTSBURGH (AP) — First-time father Bryan Reynolds hit a three-run homer in his return from paternity leave to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates past the Chicago Cubs 6-2. Reynolds, who along with wife Blair welcomed son Reese on Monday, sent a drive off Alec Mills into the seats in right field in the third inning for his third home run of the season to help Pittsburgh snap a four-game losing streak. Reynolds also doubled leading off the second and celebrated by pretending to rock a baby to sleep.

Baez and Hendricks lead Cubs over Pirates.
By JOHN PERROTTO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Javier Baez hit a three-run home run and Kyle Hendricks pitched one-run ball over six innings to lead the Chicago Cubs to an 8-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Baez connected in the fourth inning to put Chicago in front 3-1. The blast carried 443 feet to the back set of bleachers in left-center field and came one pitch after Nick Tropeano relieved starter Joe Musgrove. Hendricks (4-4) scattered six hits to go with six strikeouts and two walks. He had been winless in his previous three starts.

Happ spoils Hayes’ debut, leads Cubs past Pirates 8-7
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ian Happ singled home Nico Hoerner in the top of the 11th to lead the Chicago Cubs to an 8-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Happ, who led off the game with a home run, went 3 for 6 with two RBIs as Chicago spoiled the major league debut of Pirates third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes. Hayes, the son of longtime major league infielder Charlie Hayes, hit a game-tying home run in the eighth and added an RBI double. Kris Bryant added two hits for the Cubs in his return from the injured list.

Arcia’s pinch hit in 8th lifts Brewers over Pirates 6-5
By RICH ROVITO Associated Press
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Orlando Arcia’s pinch-hit single with two outs in the eighth inning drove in the tiebreaking run as the Milwaukee Brewers slipped past the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-5 on Monday night. Ben Gamel led off the eighth with a double and scored on Arcia’s hit as the Brewers took three of four in the series. Josh Hader pitched a perfect ninth for his eighth save in his first appearance since walking five of the six batters he faced while trying to close out Saturday night’s game. Hader has yet to give up a hit this season.

Bell, Polanco homer off Woodruff as Pirates beat Brewers 5-1
By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Josh Bell and Gregory Polanco homered off Brandon Woodruff and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1. Bell broke a 1-all tie in the fourth with a towering, two-run blast that hit an SUV parked well above the wall in right-center as part of a promotion. The Pirates stayed in front the rest of the way to hand Woodruff a rare loss at Miller Park. The right-hander entered Sunday having gone 10-0 with a 2.89 ERA in 16 home starts over the past two seasons. He struck out seven but allowed four runs, four hits and three walks in five innings.