Category: Sports

Rookie Drew Allar has 2 TD passes, 1 TD run as Steelers beat Packers 28-9 in preseason opener

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Max Hurleman (84) and quarterback Drew Allar (16) celebrate Allar’s touchdown run in the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mike McCarthy loves playing the role of teacher during what he calls “Quarterback School,” shorthand for his highly detailed process of teaching young signal callers the finer points of their position.

The first-year Pittsburgh Steelers coach’s latest pupils are proving to be quick studies.

Rookie Drew Allar threw for a pair of touchdowns and ran for another and Will Howard directed a long scoring drive of his own as the Steelers breezed past the Green Bay Packers 28-9 on Thursday night.

Allar, a third-round pick from Penn State, was 10 of 13 for 154 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown pass to Kaden Wetjen and a 4-yard flip to Riley Nowkowski. The 22-year-old Allar, who entered to chants of “Drewwww,” also sprinted into the end zone for a 3-yard score as the Steelers made McCarthy’s debut leading his hometown team a successful one.

“I thought they were very poised,” McCarthy said. “I said I like the way (the quarterbacks) played, especially the young guys.”

Howard, a sixth-round pick last year who hadn’t played since leading Ohio State to the 2025 College Football Playoff championship, was 7 of 9 passing for 86 yards and looked comfortable directing the 2-minute offense that ended with a 1-yard touchdown dive by Lew Nichols.

The Steelers outgained Green Bay 385-160, and collected yardage in huge chunks at times on plays that had receivers running wide open against a vanilla defense more focused on fundamentals than elaborate schemes for a game that didn’t count.

“I think it really shows how QB-friendly this system can be,” Howard said. “When we execute the way that we want like all of us, I feel like, did tonight, we can be a really, really fun offense.”

Pittsburgh star Aaron Rodgers, who said this week he doesn’t think he needs to play during his 22nd and final training camp, caught up with Love and other Green Bay players and staff and then watched from the sideline with a headset on as his last NFL team faced his first.

The 42-year-old’s spot atop the depth chart is secure. What happens behind him is anyone’s guess as Howard, Allar and veteran Mason Rudolph compete for the right to still have a job when rosters are trimmed to 53 on Aug. 30.

Rudolph started and completed 10 of 11 passes for 93 yards and put together a long drive that ended with Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth tackled at the Green Bay 1 on fourth down.

Love does fine in cameo

Green Bay starter Jordan Love was 3 of 5 passing during one series of work while leading the Packers on an opening drive that ended with the first of rookie Trey Smack’s three field goals. Love wasn’t hit during his brief appearance, a welcome development after he injured his left (non-throwing) hand against the New York Jets during the preseason last year.

Smack talk

Packers coach Matt Lafleur praised the performance of Smack, whom Green Bay traded up in the sixth round to pick in this year’s draft.

Smack made kicks of 58, 38 and 37 yards and drilled another 58-yarder that didn’t count when Green Bay opted to take a personal foul penalty against the Steelers to extend a drive that later ended with Smack converting a shorter field goal.

“Really, really strong first performance,” Lafleur said. “Now he’s got to stack it.”

Smack, who said he connected with former Packers kicker Ryan Longwell recently to gain some tips on how to kick in Green Bay, shrugged off his play at Acrisure Stadium, which isn’t typically friendly to kickers.

“Every kick’s kind of the same,” he said. “I try to hit the ball the best I can. I hit that 38-yarder, I don’t know how far it was, and the deeper one, I kind of treated it as the same.”

Big names take the night off

McCarthy stressed the biggest goal of the season was to emerge from it healthy. To that end, many of the club’s bold-faced names joined Rodgers in sweats. Longtime Steelers defensive captain Cam Heyward, outside linebacker T.J. Watt, wide receivers DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman and running backs Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle also had the night off.

Flag day

The game had all the trappings of a preseason opener, including some sloppy play on both sides. Pittsburgh was flagged 11 times for 135 yards while the Packers were penalized nine times for 76 yards.

Injuries

Packers: Backup tackle Darian Kinnard exited in the third quarter. … Defensive tackle Anthony Campbell left late in the third quarter with a significant limp.

Steelers: Reserve cornerback D’Shawn Jamison left in the first quarter

Up next

Packers: Visit the Denver Broncos on Aug. 21.

Steelers: Host the New York Jets on Aug. 21.

Ashcraft throws complete game, Flores has 2 homers, 6 RBIs as Pirates rout Marlins 13-1

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft (35) aims a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

MIAMI (AP) — Braxton Ashcraft threw a complete-game three-hitter, Rafael Flores had a pair of three-run homers and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Miami Marlins 13-1 on Thursday.

Jared Triolo and Jacob Gonzalez also went deep for the Pirates, who snapped a three-game skid. Pittsburgh’s Jake Mangum went 3 for 4 with three runs scored.

Ashcraft (12-5) struck out 10 and walked one in his 85-pitch outing. The right-hander, who was aided by three double plays, faced the minimum until Owen Caissie homered to lead off the ninth.

Ashcraft became the first Pirate to throw a nine-inning complete since Mitch Keller against the Los Angeles Angels on May 26, 2024. He also was the first Pirate to complete a game under 100 pitches since Ivan Nova accomplished the feat against Miami on April 29, 2017.

The Pirates’ Nick Gonzales had a walk and two singles. His two singles increased Gonzales’ multi-hit games to a major league-leading 48.

The Pirates broke through with a two-run fifth off Tyler Phillips (3-6). Mangum hit a leadoff triple and scored on a balk by Phillips. Triolo followed with his second homer of the season. Triolo went 3 for 4 with three RBIs and three runs scored.

A video review confirmed Triolo’s homer after the Marlins appealed that his drive bounced off and over the wall instead of center fielder Jakob Marsee’s glove.

Pittsburgh added to its lead in the sixth. Reliever Cade Gibson inherited two runners and walked Gonzalez, then hit Mangum with the bases loaded. Triolo followed with a two-run single to make it 5-0.

Flores broke it open for the Pirates with a drive off reliever John King in the eighth. Miami position player Javier Sanoja pitched the ninth and allowed Gonzalez’s two-run drive and Flores’ second three-run blast.

Phillips gave up four runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out six.

Up next

Pirates: RHP Bubba Chandler (5-8, 4.26 ERA) will start the opener of a three-game home series against Boston on Friday. The Red Sox will go with LHP Jake Bennett (7-5, 3.17 ERA).

Marlins: RHP Sandy Alcantara (13-6, 3.52) gets the start on Friday, when Miami opens a three-game series at Cincinnati. RHP Chase Burns (13-2, 2.61) will start for the Reds.

Conine, Hernández homers, Junk’s solid 6 innings lead Marlins to an 8-2 win over Pirates

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Miami Marlins’ Griffin Conine hits a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

MIAMI (AP) — Griffin Conine and Heriberto Hernández homered and Janson Junk worked six solid inning as the Miami Marlins extended their winning streak to four games with an 8-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.

Junk (6-7) allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits and a walk in six innings. Tyler Zuber, Calvin Faucher and Victor Vodnik each pitched a scoreless inning of relief.

Conine reached base five times. He doubled leading off the third against Carmen Mlodzinski (6-5) with the game tied at 1. Hernández followed with a walk before Agustín Ramírez doubled for a 2-1 lead one out later. That chased Mlodzinski, who was charged with four runs on five hits.

Evan Sisk walked pinch-hitter Javier Sanoja to load the bases and hit Leo Jiménez with a pitch before walking Joe Mack to force in two more runs. Xavier Edwards hit a sacrifice fly for a 5-1 lead. Sisk got two outs and yielded a run.

Conine hit his 13th homer off former Marlins reliever Lake Bachar for a 6-2 lead in the fourth. Bachar, acquired at the trade deadline, walked Conine before Hernández’s 17th homer for a six-run advantage in the sixth. The right-hander surrendered three runs on three hits in three innings.

Nick Gonzalez singled and scored on a two-out throwing error by shortstop Otto Lopez to give Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead in the second.

Edwards’ infield hit with two outs and the bases loaded tied it 1-all in the bottom of the inning.

Miami (62-59) is 38-24 at home. It is the team’s best 62-game run at home since 2003, when it won its second World Series. The Marlins trail the Phillies and Diamondbacks by 1 1/2 games for the final NL wild card.

Valdez added a sacrifice fly in the fourth for Pittsburgh, who have gone 1-7 since the trade deadline.

Up next

Pirates RHP Braxton Ashcraft (11-5, 4.08) starts Thursday against RHP Tyler Phillips (3-5, 3.47) as the Marlins go for the series sweep.

Eury Pérez outpitches Paul Skenes and Esteury Ruiz homers as the Marlins beat the Pirates 2-0

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Miami Marlins starting pitcher Eury Perez aims a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

MIAMI (AP) — Eury Pérez allowed three hits over seven innings, Esteury Ruiz homered and the Miami Marlins beat Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-0 on Tuesday night.

Pérez (6-9) struck out three straight Pirates to start the game and surrendered only three singles — two in the third and one in his final inning. The right-hander fanned seven and walked two, throwing 100 pitches. He hasn’t surrendered a homer in seven straight starts.

Michael Petersen struck out two in the eighth and Pete Fairbanks retired the side in order in the ninth for his 18th save in 21 opportunities.

Skenes (9-11) left after five innings and 65 pitches. He allowed two runs — one earned — on five hits. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner struck out four and walked one after entering with a 3-3 record and a 6.26 ERA in his previous eight starts.

Ruiz hit his sixth home run, a one-out solo shot in the third to put Miami ahead.

Skenes struck out Owen Caissie with runners on second and third to end the fourth and keep it 1-0.

Ruiz was hit by a one-out pitch in the fifth before pulling off a delayed steal. Xavier Edwards reached on an infield single and Ruiz scored on shortstop Jacob Gonzalez’s throwing error on the play. Bryan Reynolds robbed Griffin Conine of a two-out homer to left field to keep it 2-0.

Yohan Ramírez followed Skenes and allowed only a walk, striking out four over three scoreless innings.

Miami (61-59) finished off its 12th shutout and has won three straight following a four-game skid.

Pittsburgh (58-63) has lost two straight and six of its last seven after being shut out for the 12th time.

Miami placed first baseman Kyle Stowers on the 10-day injured list before the game with a left hamstring strain. The Marlins recalled Graham Pauley from Triple-A Jacksonville to take his place.

Up next

The Pirates announced that right-handed pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski (6-4, 3.51) will start Wednesday opposite Marlins right-hander Janson Junk (5-7, 4.63).

Bo Bichette goes 5 for 5 and Sean Manaea strikes out 11 in Mets’ 11-1 rout of Pirates

(File Photo: Source for Photo: New York Mets’ Francisco Alvarez, right, is greeted by A.J. Ewing (9) as he returns to the dugout after hitting a solo home run off Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Kirby Yates during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Bo Bichette went 5 for 5 with a three-run double and scored three times, Luis Robert Jr. homered and drove in four, and the New York Mets routed the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-1 on Sunday.

Sean Manaea pitched seven strong innings and struck out 11, most by a New York starter this season. Francisco Alvarez also went deep and Jared Young had three hits for the last-place Mets, who improved to 5-1 on a nine-game trip following a substantial selloff ahead of last Monday’s trade deadline.

Coming off a 9-0 defeat Saturday night, New York turned the tables and outhit Pittsburgh 15-4. Bichette had a bases-loaded double in the fourth that pushed the lead to 8-1. Robert launched a two-run shot in the third, and Alvarez homered leading off the fifth.

Manaea (4-5) allowed only Jake Mangum’s homer in the third. The big left-hander gave up three hits and walked none.

Jack Weisenburger, just called up from Triple-A Syracuse, tossed two scoreless innings in his major league debut to finish it.

Pirates starter Jared Jones (2-4) was tagged for eight runs and six hits in three-plus innings. He walked three and hit two batters with pitches as Pittsburgh lost for the fifth time in six games.

Rookie outfielder Carson Benge returned to the Mets’ lineup from a sore left wrist and went 2 for 5 with an RBI single and a walk.

Up next

Mets: Travel to Atlanta to open a three-game series Monday night with RHP Christian Scott (3-3, 3.15 ERA) starting against RHP Bryce Elder (8-6, 3.69).

Pirates: Begin a three-game series at Miami on Tuesday night as RHP Paul Skenes (9-10, 3.96 ERA) faces RHP Eury Pérez (5-9, 3.61).

Chandler cruises through 6 innings as Pirates beat Mets 9-0 to end 4-game skid

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Bubba Chandler delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Bubba Chandler allowed three hits in six innings, Jake Mangum had three hits and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the New York Mets 9-0 on Saturday night to end a four-game skid.

Chandler (5-8) struck out five and walked one on 85 pitches — 58 for strikes. The 23-year-old former top prospect has surrendered seven earned runs in 26 2/3 innings over his past five starts.

Mangum had two doubles, a single and a stolen base. Nick Gonzales drove in three runs for the Pirates, who hadn’t scored more than four in seven straight games since an 8-7 loss at the Reds on July 31.

Robert Stock (0-2) lasted three innings for the Mets, being charged for eight runs on nine hits and five walks with four strikeouts.

Mangum led off the first with a double off the right-field wall and scored from third when Gonzales grounded back to Stock with the bases loaded. Ronny Simon then slipped a two-out double just inside third base and down the line, tacking on two more.

In the third, Simon reached on a well-placed bunt, stole second and scored on a bloop single to right from Jacob Gonzalez.

Pittsburgh added four runs before recording an out in the fourth. Mangum lined an RBI double to left and scored on a wild pitch with the bases loaded. Stock walked Spencer Horwitz to reload the bases and was pulled after Gonzales lined a two-run double into the right-field corner.

Mets catcher Luis Torrens pitched the final two innings and was welcomed by Brandon Lowe sending a 42-mph pitch 380 feet to right for his 25th homer.

Up next

Pirates RHP Jared Jones (2-3, 4.02 ERA) was set to start the series finale Sunday against Mets LHP Sean Manaea (3-5, 4.33).

Marcus Semien and Zac Thornton lead Mets to their 4th straight victory, 6-4 over sliding Pirates

(File Photo: Source for Photo: New York Mets’ Marcus Semien hits a three-run home run off Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski during the third inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Marcus Semien hit a three-run homer, rookie Zac Thornton pitched five scoreless innings and the New York Mets matched a season high with their fourth straight win by beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-4 on Friday night.

Semien’s second homer in two games and 14th of the season, a drive to left-center off Carmen Mlodzinski, capped a four-run third that put the Mets ahead 5-0. New York, last in the NL East, swept a three-game series in Cleveland before busing to Pittsburgh on Thursday night.

Thornton (3-2) allowed four hits while striking out three and walking two. The left-hander remained in the game following a 36-minute rain delay in the top of the third.

Pittsburgh got two runs in the seventh and then two more in the ninth off closer Devin Williams, but a pair of baserunning mistakes cost the Pirates as they tried to rally.

Semien made a sliding stop at second base of Bryan Reynolds’ grounder with a runner aboard to end it.

Mets rookie outfielder Carson Benge was removed with left wrist soreness in the bottom of the fourth, one inning after sliding into the wall in the left-field corner while catching a flyball hit by Ronny Simon.

Benge was replaced by Cristian Pache with the Mets leading 6-0. Benge helped New York build the lead with a pair of run-scoring singles.

Making his first start since May 25, Mlodzinski (6-4) was tagged for five runs and seven hits in three innings. Mlodzinski returned to the rotation from the bullpen after Mitch Keller sustained a season-ending right shoulder injury in his previous start.

A.J. Ewing, another rookie outfielder, had three hits and scored twice for the Mets. Ewing led off the game with a double and scored on a single by Benge, who also singled home a run in the third before Semien homered. Francisco Lindor added an RBI single in the fourth.

The Pirates, who are 4-11 since the All-Star break, got two hits each from Reynolds, Nick Gonzales, Simon and Jared Triolo.

Up next

Mets RHP Robert Stock (0-1, 1.80 ERA) faces rookie RHP Bubba Chandler (4-8, 4.49) on Saturday night.

Dustin May wins Milwaukee debut, Chourio and Sánchez homer as Brewers beat Pirates 5-2

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Dustin May throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Dustin May won his Milwaukee debut and Jackson Chourio and Gary Sánchez hit home runs as the Brewers defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-2 on Thursday afternoon.

After losing the opener, the Brewers (72-43) won the final three games in the series.

May (6-7), acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals in a trade deadline deal on Monday, turned in a quality start, giving up two runs and three hits in six innings. He walked three and struck out five in the 97-pitch outing.

The Brewers jumped out early on Chourio’s 15th homer of the season, a solo shot off Braxton Ashcraft (11-5) with one out in the first.

The Brewers extended the lead to 2-0 in third when David Hamilton walked, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Cooper Pratt’s sacrifice fly.

Brandon Lowe’s lead-off homer in the fourth, the first hit surrendered by May, put the Pirates on the board. Spencer Horwitz’s run-scoring single later in the inning tied it.

Milwaukee regained the lead in the fifth. Sánchez hit a solo homer and Brice Turang had a run-scoring single following a double from Pratt.

The Brewers extended the lead to 5-2 in the sixth when Garrett Mitchell snapped a 0-for-18 streak with a leadoff double and scored on Andrew Vaughn’s single.

DL Hall, Aaron Ashby and Chad Patrick, who notched his fifth save, combined to pitch three scoreless innings to close it out.

Up next

Pirates: Pittsburgh has yet name to a starter for Friday’s game against the New York Mets, who will send LHP Zac Thornton (2-2, 2.88 ERA) to the mound.

Brewers: LHP Shane Drohan (6-4, 3.48 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound as Milwaukee begins a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins, who haven’t announced a starter.

Steelers Unveil New Premium Club Experience Inside Acrisure Stadium

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Associated Press)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Steelers announced today an extension
of their partnership with HEINZ, a global leader in condiments and the 157-year-old Pittsburgh brand.

HEINZ will now serve as the presenting sponsor of the new premium club at Acrisure Stadium called the 1933 Club Presented by HEINZ as the cornerstone of the renewed partnership.

This club will open on August 13th, 2026 for the Steelers’ first pre-season game against the Green Bay Packers.

The 1933 Club Presented by HEINZ will deliver an all-inclusive and elevated game day
experience to pair modern elegance with an atmosphere inspired by speakeasies.

Members will enjoy elevated beverages and dining, lounge spaces that are comfortable, a center bar that is expansive with a resident mixologist, grab-and-go offerings that are convenient, screens throughout the club, as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes views of the entrance to the Steelers locker room and player tunnel, along with direct access to the 100-level concourse.

HEINZ will still be the exclusive sponsor of the HEINZ Red Zone in addition to naming rights for the new premium club.

The HEINZ Red Zone is an in-stadium feature that is a fan-favorite at Acrisure Stadium.

It is activated each time the Steelers enter the red zone on their home field, and it triggers digital bottles to fill the videoboards with ketchup.

U. S. Steel Community Field at Hazelwood Green to Celebrate Official Opening August 15th-16th

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Hazelwood Green Youth Sports Charities/Steelers Charities)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Hazelwood, the Mon Valley and the greater Pittsburgh region will be celebrating the official opening of U. S. Steel Community Field at Hazelwood Green on August 15th–16th. 

Central Catholic High School will use the new venue as its home field for varsity football and on September 11th, Central Catholic will play its first home game there against Pine-Richland.

The opening weekend for the new field begins on Saturday, August 15th with JADA House International’s Back to School Blast Off, which is an event that supports local families and students as they prepare for the new school year. 

The Hazelwood Cobras youth football program will play on the new field on Sunday, August 16th, when a series of games begin in the morning and run all day, featuring teams from 5-year-old flag football to 12- to 13-year-old players. 

According to a release from Hazelwood Green Youth Sports Charities/Steelers Charities, here is more details about the opening events for this new football field.

OPENING EVENTS

 

Saturday, August 15th, 2:00 p.m.

JADA House International Back to School Blast Off

A community event supporting students and families ahead of the new school year.

 

Sunday, August 16th, 10:00 a.m.

Hazelwood Cobras Youth Football Games and Opening Ceremony

The Hazelwood Cobras will play series of games and celebrate the opening of the field with kid-friendly activities and local performers. The four games include flag at 10 a.m., 8U at noon, 10U at 2 p.m. and 12U at 4 p.m. Game balls will be presented during a special “halftime” celebration to recognize community members whose shared commitment made the new field possible. Tickets can be purchased that day at the gate.

 

Friday, September 11th, 7:00 p.m.

Central Catholic vs. Pine-Richland

Central Catholic High School will play its first varsity football home game at U. S. Steel Community Field in a premier WPIAL matchup. Ticket information, including on-sale details, will be announced at a later date.