(File Photo: Source for Headline Photo and First Photo Below: Chicago White Sox pitcher Brandon Eisert throws during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Monday, June 29, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

(File Photo: Source for Second Photo Below: Chicago White Sox’s Jacob Gonzalez watches his three-run home during the third inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Chicago, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Pirates received left-handed relief pitcher Brandon Eisert and infielder Jacob Gonzalez from the Chicago White Sox in a trade for minor league left-handed pitcher Jaden Woods and a competitive balance round selection in the MLB amateur draft on Saturday.

The draft selection the Pirates gave the White Sox was No. 34 overall.

The twenty-eight-year-old Eisert made his Pirates debut on Saturday and his 2026 MLB statistics as of now include a 2-1 record, a 5.65 ERA, and 32 strikeouts.

The twenty-four-year-old Gonzalez made his Pirates debut yesterday and his 2026 MLB statistics as of now include hitting .241 with 2 home runs and 17 RBIs. 

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes delivers during the second inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Paul Skenes won his second straight start after going winless for nine in a row as the Pittsburgh Pirates scored 10 runs in the fourth inning to rout the Milwaukee Brewers 14-5 Sunday and head into the All-Star break with a three-game sweep.

What was slated to be a high-profile matchup lost some of its luster when Milwaukee scratched hard-throwing Jacob Misiorowski on Saturday because of arm fatigue. While Skenes and Misiorowski are All-Stars, both will skip pitching in Tuesday’s showcase.

Skenes (8-8) allowed two runs and three hits over 5 1/3 innings with one walk and seven strikeouts — including four among his final five batters. He had been 0-6 in nine starts before beating Atlanta on Tuesday, and the Pirates lost all nine of those games.

Robert Gasser (2-4) gave up seven runs and eight hits in three-plus innings.

Pittsburgh (50-47) took a 4-2 lead into the fourth and scored seven runs before making an out.

Marcell Ozuna homered, Henry Davis had an RBI single and Jared Koenig hit Bryan Reynolds with a pitch with the bases loaded, forced in a run by walking Esmerlyn Valdez and allowed Ryan O’Hearn’s run-scoring single that boosted the advantage to 9-2.

Nick Gonzales greeted Grant Anderson with a two-run double, Triolo hit a two-run single and, after a video review reversed the call at first on what appeared to be an inning-ending double-play grounder by Davis, Jake Mangum hit an RBI triple.

Skenes tossed three perfect innings before giving up back-to-back doubles starting the fourth to Christian Yelich and Chourio. Gary Sánchez hit into a run-scoring forceout.

Brice Turang hit a two-run homer in a three-run eighth.

Up next

Brewers: Start a home series Friday against Miami.

Pirates: Open a three-game series Friday at Cleveland.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Esmerlyn Valdez (55) celebrates with Bryan Reynolds (10) after hitting a two-run home run off Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Shane Drohan during the fourth inning of the second game of a baseball doubleheader in Pittsburgh, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Esmerlyn Valdez hit his third home run of the day, and the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers 3-2 on Saturday to sweep a doubleheader.

The Pirates won the first game 7-6, as Valdez hit two home runs — including a go-ahead grand slam in the seventh inning — and drove in six runs.

The rookie right fielder had eight RBIs in the two games and now has homered 10 times and driven in 26 runs in his first 27 career games.

Valdez’s two-run shot in the fourth inning of the nightcap opened the scoring. Brice Turang’s two-run double in the fifth pulled the Brewers even.

Bryan Reynolds singled in the go-ahead run in the sixth off rookie left-hander Shane Drohan (4-3), who allowed three runs and five hits over 6 1/3 innings while striking out six and walking none.

Yohan Ramirez (6-2) pitched a scoreless sixth. Mason Montgomery protected a one-run lead in the ninth inning for his first save of the season and the second of his career.

Pirates rookie starter Bubba Chandler lasted 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs and five hits. He struck out six and walked three.

The Brewers missed the chance to win their 60th game of the season, a feat they have never accomplished before the All-Star break.

The doubleheader was necessitated by Friday night’s scheduled game being rained out.

Up next

The three-game series concludes on Sunday with a matchup between LHP Robert Gasser (2-3, 4.15) against Pirates RHP Paul Skenes (7-8, 3.58)

(Scheduled Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski was scratched from his scheduled start because of arm fatigue.)

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Esmerlyn Valdez hits a grand slam home run off Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Aaron Ashby during the seventh inning of the first game of a baseball double header in Pittsburgh, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Rookie phenom Esmerlyn Valdez hit two home runs, including a go-ahead grand slam in the seventh inning, and drove in six runs to rally the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 7-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader.

The 22-year-old right fielder has hit nine home runs and driven in 24 runs in his first 26 games. His first career grand slam came off Aaron Ashby (12-2), turning a 6-3 deficit into a 7-6 lead and keeping the Brewers from their 60th win of the season with their second loss in seven games.

Valdez’s first homer of the day was a solo shot in the third that put the Pirates ahead 3-2. He also hit a run-scoring single in a two-run first inning.

Jake Bauers and Sal Frelick hit two-run home runs for the Brewers, who entered the day with a 7½-game lead in the NL Central.

Bauers lined his home run into the right-field seats in the second inning to tie the game at 2-2. Frelick’s blast capped a three-run fifth inning and put the Brewers ahead 5-3.

The Brewers added a run on William Contreras’ single in the top of the seventh, but Valdez answered with his grand slam in the bottom of the inning.

Pittsburgh starter Braxton Ashcraft, who has been selected for Tuesday’s All-Star Game, had one of his few poor outings this season. He allowed five runs in five innings.

Carmen Mlodzinski (6-3) pitched one-run ball in three innings of relief and Gregory Soto pitched a scoreless ninth for his 12th save, getting Andrew Vaughn to ground into a game-ending double play with the bases loaded.

Brewers rookie starter Brandon Sproat gave up three runs in three innings.

Up next

Brewers LHP Shane Drohan (4-2, 2.97 ERA) is scheduled to face RHP Bubba Chandler (3-8, 4.82) in the second game of the doubleheader in a matchup of rookies.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Atlanta Braves’ Mike Yastrzemski tosses his bat as he runs down the first base line after hitting a grand slam off Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Dennis Santana during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mike Yastrzemski hit a game-sealing grand slam in the ninth inning, Matt Olson hit a first-inning home run while tying the franchise record for consecutive games played and the Atlanta Braves defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-5 on Thursday.

The Braves were leading 6-5 when Yastrzemski connected off Dennis Santana for his third career slam.

Olson’s homer was a solo shot and his 25th season, opening the scoring. The first baseman played in his 740th straight game, going back to the start of the 2022 season, and tied the mark set by Dale Murphy from 1982-86.

Atlanta’s Jim Jarvis hit his first career home run, connecting for a two-run blast off Cam Sanders in a three-run fourth inning that extended the lead to 6-2. The rookie shortstop had three hits.

Pittsburgh’s Bryan Reynolds and Esmerlyn Valdez hit back-to-back homers in the third to cut the Braves’ lead to 3-2. Jake Mangum had four hits and three RBIs, including a two-run homer in the fourth that brought the Pirates to 6-4 and an RBI double in the sixth that made it a one-run game.

Atlanta’s Bryce Elder allowed four runs in four innings. Mitch Keller (6-7) gave up three runs in three innings to fall to 1-5 with a 7.94 ERA in nine career starts against the Braves.

Dylan Dodd (2-0) pitched a perfect fifth inning for the win.

The game was delayed by rain for 35 minutes at the end of the fifth inning.

Up next

Braves: Begin a three-game series in St. Louis on Friday night with LHP Chris Sale (9-6, 2.27 ERA) starting against RHP Kyle Leahy (7-4, 3.86).

Pirates: RHP Braxton Ashcraft (9-3, 3.24) will pitch against visiting Milwaukee and rookie RHP Brandon Sproat (3-4, 5.13) on Friday night to open a three-game series.

(Caption and Credit for Photo: Pitt’s Olivia Babcock (center) reacts after a point in the third set on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at Petersen Events Center. (Andrew Palla | For TribLive)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Atlantic Coast Conference recently selected Pitt women’s college volleyball senior Olivia Babcock as its 2025-2026 Female Athlete of the Year.

This honor is the 37th edition of the Mary Garber Award. Babcock is the first volleyball player to earn this award and joins former Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett as the only Panthers to receive it. 

Babcock’s junior season last season had a list of accolades, including setting a Pitt single-season program record with 646 kills and becoming the 2025 AVCA Division I Women’s National Player of the Year.  

(File Photo of Moon Area High School)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Moon Township, PA) WPXI learned on Tuesday that Jeffrey Berghoff of Coraopolis, the head swim coach at Moon Area High School, was issued a temporary suspension.  

Berghoff is also a coach with Tigers Aquatics, which is a nonprofit swim organization in Moon Township.  

The suspension occurred on June 29th and it was due to allegations of misconduct. 

Berghoff was previously an assistant head coach for women’s swimming at the University of Pittsburgh, but officials of that university say that he has not coached at Pitt since 2016. 

He is also listed as the Aquatics Director at the Montour Heights Country Club online.  

That position also includes being the coach and swim instructor for the club’s swim team. 

It’s unclear at this time how long Berghoff’s temporary suspension from USA Swimming will last.   

(Credit and Caption for Photo: The Pirates’ Endy Rodriguez celebrates his game-tying home run against the Marlins in the fifth inning June 12 at PNC Park. (Chaz Palla | TribLive)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Endy Rodríguez was put on the 10-day injured list with a left glute strain. 

Manager Don Kelly announced his status before yesterday’s game against the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park. 

Rodríguez was removed from the team’s game against the Washington Nationals in Washington D.C. on Sunday during the top of the eighth inning.  

Rodríguez has slashed .260/.388/.470 and also has six doubles, five home runs, 16 RBIs and a pair of stolen bases in thirty-five games for the Pirates. 

The Pirates recalled catcher/first baseman Rafael Flores, Jr. from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move. According to MLB Pipeline, Flores is the Pirates’ No. 8 overall prospect.  

Flores is slashing .228/.362/.342 with 10 doubles, two triples, four home runs and 38 RBIs in 65 games with Triple-A Indianapolis this season. 

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Atlanta Braves’ Joey Bart, right, celebrates with Mike Yastrzemski as he returns to the dugout after hitting a two-run home rum off Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Dennis Santana during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, July 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Joey Bart hit a two-run home run with two outs in the eighth inning, lifting the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves to a 3-0 win over his former team on Wednesday after Pittsburgh Pirates starter Jared Jones pitched six perfect innings before being lifted.

Bart, traded to the Braves from the Pirates on June 18, followed a double by Mike Yastrzemski with a 422-foot drive to left-centerfield off a slider from Dennis Santana (2-4). Drake Baldwin added an RBI single to center in the ninth.

Jones struck out eight on 77 pitches, including 53 strikes, to lower his ERA to 4.37 from 5.28. His bid was nearly ended by Bart with one out in the third, but a long drive to left was caught at the wall by Bryan Reynolds.

The 24-year-old Jones hasn’t thrown more than 81 pitches in eight starts since returning May 20 after missing all of last season after undergoing an ulnar collateral ligament internal brace surgery on May 21, 2025.

Mason Montgomery relieved Jones to start the seventh inning, getting Michael Harris II to ground to first before yielding a single to left by Ozzie Albies with one out. He struck out Matt Olson and Baldwin to end the inning.

Dylan Dodd (1-0) was perfect for Atlanta in the bottom of the seventh and earned the win. Raisel Iglesias struck out two in the ninth for his 18th save.

Braves starter Grant Holmes lasted five innings, giving up three hits with three strikeouts and a walk.

The Pirates left men on base in each of the first four innings. In the third, they had two in scoring position after Reynolds stole second following a two-out single. Holmes forced Jared Triolo to ground to third, ending the threat.

Up next

RHP Mitch Keller (6-6, 5.02 ERA) will face Braves RHP Bryce Elder (5-6, 4.01) in the series finale Thursday.

(Credit for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Josh Palacios celebrates as he crosses home plate on a solo home run off Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Yonny Chirinos during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Pirates signed outfielder Joshua Palacios to a minor-league contract and optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis yesterday, according to the MLB transactions log.  

Palacios is closer to returning to the Pirates after he played for them in 2023 and 2024.  

He slashed .236/.291/.398 for an OPS of .689, along with earning 74 hits, 11 doubles, 2 triples, twelve home runs and 49 RBIs in 114 games with the Pirates.