Matsuyama becomes first Japanese in Masters green jacket

Matsuyama becomes first Japanese in Masters green jacket
By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Hideki Matsuyama is the first Japanese player in a green jacket. The 29-year-old won the Masters despite a few nervous moments. He led by as many as six on the back nine. He was only two ahead going to the 16th hole. And then Xander Schauffele made it easy for him by hitting into the water and the gallery and making a triple bogey on the 16th hole. Matsuyama takes his place among the elite in golf. The victory comes 10 years after the Japanese star was low amateur in the Masters as a teenager.

Brubaker pitches, hits Pirates to 7-1 win over slumping Cubs

Brubaker pitches, hits Pirates to 7-1 win over slumping Cubs
By JOHN PERROTTO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — JT Brubaker pitched into the sixth inning and had the first three RBIs of his career to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Chicago Cubs 7-1. Brubaker allowed one run and four hits in 5 1/3 innings with four strikeouts and one walk. His two-run single down the right-field line capped a three-run second inning and gave the Pirates a 3-1 lead. Pittsburgh’s Bryan Reynolds had the third four-hit game of his career. Trevor Williams  was hit hard in his return to Pittsburgh, where he spent the first five seasons of his career before being released in November.

Josh Berry gets 1st career Xfinity victory at Martinsville

Josh Berry gets 1st career Xfinity victory at Martinsville
By HANK KURZ Jr. AP Sports Writer
MARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) — Josh Berry passed Ty Gibbs with 28 laps to go and pulled away for his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory in a rain-delayed race at Martinsville Speedway. Berry gave himself enough cushion after getting by Gibbs to withstand challenges by Noah Gragson and Daniel Hemric. Berry was making just his 13th career start spread over five seasons and eight years. He became the second driver to gain his first victory at Martinsville, joining Brett Bodine, who did it in 1985. Gragson, Berry’s teammate, finished second.

Keller shines, Pirates end 6-game skid, tag Davies, Cubs 8-2

Keller shines, Pirates end 6-game skid, tag Davies, Cubs 8-2
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mitch Keller pitched five efficient innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates used an early burst to chase Zach Davies in an 8-2 win over the Chicago Cubs. Keller bounced back from a rough 2021 debut by allowing one run. The 25-year-old struck out seven and walked just one as the Pirates ended a six-game losing streak. Colin Moran, Bryan Reynolds and Jacob Stallings all drove in two runs during Pittsburgh’s seven-run outburst in the second against Davies.

Bucs lose 6th Straight. Drop Home Opener to the Cubs 4-2

By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jayy Baez hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the sixth inning and the Chicago Cubs’ struggling offense came to life in a 4-2 over Pittsburgh. Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo also homered for Chicago as the Cubs pounded out a season-high 11 hits against Tyler Anderson (0-2) and four Pittsburgh relievers. Baez, Rizzo, Bryant and Jake Marisnick had two hits each as Chicago raised its major-league worst team batting average from .143 to .157. Adam Frazier and Gregory Polanco had two hits each for the Pirates but couldn’t stop Pittsburgh from dropping its sixth straight.

Letang, Rodrigues lead Penguins to 5-2 win over Rangers

Letang, Rodrigues lead Penguins to 5-2 win over Rangers
NEW YORK (AP) — Kris Letang and Evan Rodrigues scored in the second period and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New York Rangers 5-2. Radim Zohorna and Jason Zucker each added a goal and an assist, Mark Jankowski also scored and Letang and Rodrigues also each had an assist. Tristan Jarry stopped 22 shots to help Pittsburgh snap a two-game skid. The Penguins beat the Rangers for the sixth time in eight games this season. Colin Blackwell and Kevin Rooney scored for the Rangers, who were 3-0-1 in their last four games. Igor Shesterkin finished with 27 saves.

Reds keep rolling, hit 4 HRs to back Castillo, sweep Pirates

Reds keep rolling, hit 4 HRs to back Castillo, sweep Pirates
By JEFF WALLNER Associated Press
CINCINNATI (AP) — Tyler Naquin hit another leadoff home run and the high-scoring Cincinnati Reds kept rolling, backing Luis Castillo to rout the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-4 for their fifth straight win. The Reds have started a season 5-1 for the first time since 2016. They outscored the Pirates 30-8 in the three-game series sweep. Their 56 runs are the most in Reds franchise history through the first six games of a season. The 1976 Big Red Machine scored 51 en route to a second straight championship.  Naquin hit a leadoff homer for the second straight day. Nick Castellanos, Tyler Stephenson and Aristides Aquino also homered for the Reds.

Rangers blast Penguins 8-4 with goals from 8 players

Rangers blast Penguins 8-4 with goals from 8 players
NEW YORK (AP) — Artemi Panarin had a goal and three assists, Adam Fox had a goal and two assists and the New York Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 8-4. Colin Blackwell, Mika Zibanejad, Ryan Strome, Alexis Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko and Pavel Buchnevich also scored for New York, which extended its point streak to four games. It was the first time in 11 years that different Rangers scored in a game. Igor Shesterkin made 42 saves for New York. Jared McCann, Mike Matheson, Jake Guentzel and Brian Dumoulin scored for Pittsburgh, which lost for the second time in seven games.

Naquin stars as Reds pound Pirates for 4th straight win

Naquin stars as Reds pound Pirates for 4th straight win
By JEFF WALLNER Associated Press
CINCINNATI (AP) — Tyler Naquin homered twice and drove in a career-high seven runs, helping the Cincinnati Reds pound the Pittsburgh Pirates 14-1 for their fourth straight victory. Rookie Jonathan India had three hits and four RBIs in Cincinnati’s latest offensive outburst. Tucker Barnhart and Nick Senzel also had three hits apiece. The Reds set a franchise record with 46 runs in their first five games. The 1895 and 1976 teams scored 44 runs through five games.