(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Jake Mangum drives in a run with a single off Minnesota Twins pitcher Bailey Ober in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jake Mangum went 3 for 4 with his first homer of the season and a go-ahead RBI single after the Pirates blew a six-run lead as Pittsburgh held off the Minnesota Twins 10-9 on Saturday.

Mangum went deep against Bailey Ober (6-3) in the second inning for the fourth home run of his career. He later tagged Ober with a line drive single in the fifth that scored Konnor Griffin to help the Pirates steady themselves after the Twins erased a massive early deficit. Mangum also contributed defensively, going deep in the gap in left-center to rob Minnesota’s Orlando Arcia of extra bases in the ninth with the tying run on first.

Gregory Soto got the final four outs for his seventh save. Yohan Ramirez (3-2) earned the win in relief after starter Mitch Keller couldn’t hold an early 7-1 lead.

Oneil Cruz hit his 13th home run of the season and second in as many days as the Pirates won for the fifth time in seven games. Spencer Horwitz had two hits for Pittsburgh, including a leadoff homer in the bottom of the first.

Nick Gonzales had three hits for Pittsburgh, which handed former manager Derek Shelton a second consecutive loss in his return to PNC Park since being fired by the Pirates last May early into his sixth season with the club.

Kody Clemens had three of Minnesota’s 12 hits. Josh Bell drove in three runs for the Twins, who have lost five of six.

Ober’s three-game winning streak came to an abrupt end. The right-hander allowed a season-high eight runs (seven earned) on 12 hits. Ober has given up seven homers over his last three starts.

Pittsburgh second baseman Brandon Lowe was ejected for the first time in his nine-year career. The two-time All-Star, whose 14 homers lead the team, was tossed by first base umpire Jordan Baker after flying out to left in the fourth inning. Earlier in the at-bat, Lowe attempted to challenge a strike call, but it was not recognized by plate umpire Alex Tosi.

Up next

The series wraps up Sunday. Zebby Matthews (1-2, 2.37 ERA) starts for the Twins against Pittsburgh’s Braxton Ashcraft (4-2, 2.75).

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Oneil Cruz, right, is greeted by third base coach Tony Beasley, left, as he rounds third after hitting a solo home run off Minnesota Twins pitcher Taj Bradley during the third inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Bryan Reynolds hit a two-run homer with one out in the ninth inning — after Oneil Cruz hit a mammoth shot early — to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 6-5 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.

Reynolds launched a 422-foot shot to left field off Taylor Rogers (1-2), scoring Tyler Callihan, who replaced Spencer Horwitz after an infield hit to begin the inning.

All the previous scoring came in the first three innings.

Pittsburgh’s Jared Jones struck out Byron Buxton on three straight fastballs that topped 100 mph in his first start in the majors since Sept. 27, 2024.

Kody Clemens hit sixth homer on Jones’ seventh straight pitch above 100 to give the Twins a 1-0 lead. The 24-year-old right-hander missed more than a year after undergoing UCL surgery in 2025. He allowed five runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Twins starter Taj Bradley threw eight straight balls to put Brandon Lowe and Reynolds on base with one out in the first. Nick Gonzales reached on an infield single with Lowe scoring on a throwing error by third baseman Brooks Lee.

Oneil Cruz drove in Reynolds with a grounder to first, and Konnor Griffin followed with a two-out RBI single for a 3-1 advantage.

Tristan Gray tied it 3-3 with a bases-loaded two-run single in the second, and Trevor Larnach followed in the third with his third homer — a 424-foot shot that left the park in right to put the Twins up 5-3.

Cruz hit his 12th home run — a two-out 450-shot that also left the park in right to cut it to 5-4 in the third.

Clemens threw Cruz out at home in the eighth to keep it 5-4 after the Pirates had runners on second and third with nobody out and failed to score.

Wilber Dotel allowed one hit in three innings of relief for Pittsburgh, and Gregory Soto (4-0) pitched a perfect ninth for the win.

Bradley gave up four runs on five hits in four innings.

Up next

Twins RHP Bailey Ober (6-2, 3.92) was set to start Saturday opposite Pirates RHP Mitch Keller (5-2, 3.64).

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Chicago Cubs’ Ian Happ returns to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run off Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Brandan Bidois during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ian Happ homered for the second consecutive game and the Chicago Cubs handed Paul Skenes his third straight loss with a 7-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.

The win came one night after the Cubs ended a 10-game losing streak. Happ hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the seventh inning of that game.

Happ had three hits on Thursday, including a two-run homer in the eighth that pushed the Cubs’ lead to 5-2. He has reached base safely in 41 consecutive games in Pittsburgh, the city where he grew up. Seiya Suzuki had two hits and two RBIs for Chicago.

Skenes (6-5) lost his third straight start despite striking out 10 in 5 1/3 innings. The 2025 NL Cy Young Award winner fanned six batters in a row from the first to the third.

Only one of the three runs against Skenes was earned, as third baseman Tyler Callihan and shortstop Jared Triolo made throwing errors in a two-run sixth inning that extended the Cubs’ lead to 3-0.

Colin Rea (5-3) won for the first time in five starts, allowing two runs in 5 1/3 innings. Hoby Milner, Caleb Thielbar and Trent Thornton combined for 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.

Bryan Reynolds homered for the Pirates.

Pittsburgh third baseman Nick Gonzales exited after the third inning with left knee discomfort.

Up next

Cubs: Open a three-game series Friday night at St. Louis with LHP Shota Imanaga (4-5, 4.04 ERA) facing RHP Andre Pallante (5-4, 3.76).

Pirates: Host the Minnesota Twins and former Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton in a three-game series beginning Friday. Pirates RHP Jared Jones will make his first major league appearance since 2024, a little more than a year after undergoing elbow surgery. RHP Taj Bradley (5-1, 2.77) starts for the Twins.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez (55) can’t make the catch on Toronto Blue Jays Kazuma Okamoto double during the second inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Pirates announced they optioned outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez to Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of yesterday’s series finale against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. 

Valdez joined the Pirates on May 22 before the team’s series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre and spent six days with the major league club. 

He hit his first Major League home run in a 4-1 victory over Toronto on Sunday, a two-run shot in the seventh inning. Valdez added his second career home run — and his first at PNC Park — during the Pirates’ 12-1 win over the Cubs on Tuesday.

Valdez started five of the Pirates’ previous six games in right field and recorded two hits in 16 at-bats with two walks and nine strikeouts.  

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the United States Postal Service)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Boston, MA) The United States Postal Service issued its North American Soccer stamp yesterday during the 2026 Boston World Exposition as part of the event’s sports-themed programming.

The stamp release comes ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The tournament is scheduled to begin June 11th in Mexico and conclude July 19th in New Jersey. The United States is set to host 78 World Cup matches across 11 cities.

Soccer’s popularity in the United States has grown in recent decades, with millions of youth participants and widespread fan engagement.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Nick Gonzales hits a two-RBI single during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Nick Gonzales left the Pittsburgh Pirates’ game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park yesterday due to an injury. 

Gonzales exited ahead of the top of the fourth inning after appearing to be in discomfort following a deep fly ball in the second inning. He had previously taken a foul ball off his left knee during the Pirates’ 10-4 loss to the Cubs on Wednesday.

The Pirates announced that Gonzales was removed as a precaution due to left knee discomfort. He is considered day-to-day and is currently being evaluated by the team’s medical staff. 

Tyler Callihan replaced Gonzales in the game after being recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis earlier in the day. 

Gonzales is slashing .296/.350/.344 for an OPS of .694, with 55 hits in 186 at-bats, nine doubles, 22 RBI and 13 walks to 36 strikeouts. 

(File Photo of the Blackhawk School District Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(California, PA) Blackhawk softball lost in the 2026 WPIAL Class 4A championship game, marking the second consecutive year the Lady Cougars have finished as runners-up.

Elizabeth Forward defeated the Lady Cougars 5-3 at Lilley Field on the campus of PennWest California.

Despite the loss, Blackhawk will enter the PIAA Class 4A playoffs as the No. 2 seed from the WPIAL. The team will face the top seed from District V or District IX at a site and time to be determined on Monday, June 1st.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones (37) delivers during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, on Feb. 25, 2025, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jared Jones will make his first MLB appearance since 2024 when he starts against the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.

Jones missed all of last season after injuring his elbow during spring training. He underwent internal brace surgery on May 21, 2025.

“Pretty damn cool,” Jones said Thursday. “It took a lot of time, 12 months, almost exactly, of not playing baseball. You kind of get a sense that you need it. That’s kind of what I’ve learned about myself over that time. I’m just extremely grateful to be back.”

The 24-year-old Jones made five rehab starts in the minor leagues, pitching 18 1/3 innings. As a rookie in 2024, Jones had a 6-8 record with a 4.14 ERA in 22 starts.

Carmen Mlodzinski will be moved from the rotation to the bullpen. He is 4-3 with a 3.76 ERA in 11 games this season. He has a 2.63 ERA in 94 career relief appearances.

“We feel this gives the team the best chance to win in all areas,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “Carmen has done a nice job as a starter, and he can also fill that role in the bullpen, multiple innings. That’s a starting pitcher-ish, bulk, multi-inning high leverage guy out of the (bullpen).”

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Texas Rangers’ Andrew McCutchen flies out against Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jose Quintana in the first inning of a baseball game Monday, May 18, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Former NL MVP outfielder Andrew McCutchen was designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, after he hit .192 in his 37 games.

The 39-year-old McCutchen was replaced by free agent infielder Nicky Cruz in a move spurred by the lingering absences of shortstop Corey Seager and second baseman Josh Smith. Seager is out with lower back inflammation, and Smith still hasn’t rejoined the team since a stint in the hospital with viral meningitis.

“Certainly respect to Andrew, what he’s accomplished, not only in this game, but more importantly, who he is as a person,” president of baseball operations Chris Young said. “It’s been wonderful having him around, but we’re at a point where given the injuries on the left side of the infield, middle infield specifically, that we’re thin and so Nicky gives us another option and provides some versatility.”

The Rangers had another setback with their middle infield when shortstop Ezequiel Duran exited Wednesday’s game against Houston after four innings due to an illness.

Lopez, who started at second base in the No. 9 spot against the Astros, moved to shortstop to replace Duran. Justin Foscue took over at second.

The 31-year-old Lopez, who signed a major league contract, has played in 693 big league games over parts of eight seasons with five teams. The left-handed hitter was designated for assignment by the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.

McCutchen had two doubles, one home run and five RBIs with Texas, with 21 of his plate appearances coming as a pinch hitter. Those were the most at-bats as a pinch hitter for any MLB player this season.

The Rangers have seven days to trade, release or outright McCutchen to the minor leagues.

McCutchen played the past three seasons for Pittsburgh, the club that drafted him in the first round in 2005 and promoted him in 2009 for his major league debut. McCutchen played his first nine years in MLB with the Pirates, making five straight All-Star teams and winning the 2013 National League MVP award while becoming one of the most popular players in that franchise’s history.

He then bounced around with four other teams between 2018 and 2022 before reuniting with the Pirates. He played in 135 games last year, hitting .239 with 13 homers and 57 RBIs before becoming a free agent.

He is a career .271 hitter with 333 homers, 1,157 RBIs and 220 stolen bases in 2,299 games.

“I played against him during his MVP season,” Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said. “I know who this guy is and I got to know him even better this year. Those are not easy, but part of the game. He was a pro and understood.”

Seager is doing moderate baseball activity, but there is no timeline for his return. The two-time World Series MVP, including with the Rangers in 2023, has been eligible to come off the 10-day disabled list since Monday.

Smith had been on the IL since May 5 with a right glute strain when the Rangers announced May 15 that the 28-year-old would be hospitalized at least a week after feeling ill and getting the diagnosis of meningitis. Young said Smith could rejoin the club Thursday.

“We’ll be able to evaluate where he is from a strength standpoint,” Young said. “The physical toll that it’s taking on him and what the buildup is going to be, I can’t answer yet. But he’s healthy. We’re very grateful to the doctors and the medical staff that treated him and took great care of him.”

(File Photo of a Past Ellwood City Wolverines Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Washington, PA) Ellwood City baseball captured its first WPIAL Class 3A championship since 2012 with a 5-2 win over South Park yesterday at EQT Park in Washington, Pennsylvania.

The victory marked the third consecutive playoff game in which Ellwood City rallied from behind.

The team overcame deficits against Burrell in the quarterfinals and Riverside in the semifinals.

With the win, Ellwood City advances to the PIAA playoffs, where it will face the District VI runner-up between Phillipsburg-Osceola and Tyrone. The site and time of that matchup have yet to be determined.

The game will take place on Monday, June 1st.