Pittsburg, PA
Bryan Reynolds Heroics Push Pirates Over Red-Hot Cubs
For seven innings, little went right for the Pittsburgh Pirates as they couldn’t muster any offense.
Then, the offensive outburst Pittsburgh had been yearning for came in the eighth inning in the form of home runs from Bryan Reynolds and Andrew McCutchen led the Pirates past the Chicago Cubs 5-3 on Monday at Wrigley Field.
With the win, Pittsburgh snapped the Cubs’ six-game winning streak. Chicago swept Pittsburgh in a three-game series from Aug. 26-28 at PNC Park.
A solo home run from shortstop Dansby Swanson in the bottom of the third inning and a two-run triple from Ian Happ in the bottom of the fifth inning got the Cubs out to a 3-0 lead. The Pirates had only mustered three hits through the first seven innings.
Pittsburgh opened the top of the eighth inning with back-to-back singles from Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Nick Gonzales, setting the table for Reynolds to tie the game with a three-run home run, which was his 22nd homer of the season. After Oneil Cruz struck out, McCutchen gave Pittsburgh the lead for good with a solo home run for his 18th of the season.
A single from Gonzales plated an insurance run in the top of the ninth, and Dennis Santana retired the Cubs in order to earn his third save of the season.
Pirates left-hander Jalen Beeks earned the win in relief of Jared Jones, getting two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Jones turned in a quality start, pitching 6.1 innings and allowing three runs while striking out four batters.
Cubs reliever Jorge López took the loss, allowing four runs in his lone inning of work. His outing spoiled a superb start from Jameson Taillon after he pitched seven shutout innings, allowing just three hits, walking one batter and striking out three batters.
Happ and Swanson each had two-hit games for Chicago. Gonzales led the Pirates with two hits.
The Pirates will have a chance to seal a series victory on Tuesday with Paul Skenes on the mound. He’ll be opposed by left-hander Justin Steele. First pitch is at 7:40 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field.
Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburg, PA
Wisconsin storms back against Pittsburgh to win Greenbrier Tip-Off
The Wisconsin Badgers are the 2024 Greenbrier Tip-Off champions.
Wisconsin, ranked No. 19 in the nation, improved to 7-0 by coming back from a double-digit deficit to defeat Pittsburgh (6-1) 81-75 Sunday evening in West Virginia. The comeback completed a sweep of the showcase, having defeated Central Florida in their first game of the tip-off on Friday afternoon.
John Tonje led the Badgers with 33 points. The star guard was 11-of-19 shooting and a perfect 10-of-10 from the free-throw line. It’s his second 30-point game of the season; his first was a 41-point explosion in Wisconsin’s win over then-No. 9 Arizona on Nov. 15.
Pittsburgh jumped out to a 20-8 lead nearly 10 minutes into the first half before the Badgers clawed back to within 34-27 at the half.
In the second half, Pittsburgh kept the Badgers at bay, leading 50-45 with 12:22 to go before Wisconsin went on a run and grew a lead to 71-64 with 4:15 remaining.
The Badgers have scored at least 79 points in all seven games this season, which is a program first.
Up next: Wisconsin vs. Chicago State, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. CT.
Pittsburg, PA
Pirates Prospect Wins Bronze Medal With Team USA
A busy fall for Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Termarr Johnson has come to a close.
Team USA wrapped its run in the WBSC Premier12 with a 6-1 win over Venezuela to win the bronze medal on Saturday. They also beat Venezuela 6-5 in the Super Round of the Premier12 on Friday and wrapped up the tournament going 2-2.
Chinese Taipei shut out Japan in the championship game 4-0 to win the Premier12 and hand them their first loss in international play since 2019. Team USA lost to Japan 9-1 and Chinese Taipei 8-2.
Johnson went 1-4 with one run scored and a walk and one strikeout on Saturday. After grounding out in his first two at-bats, the Pirates’ left-handed hitting middle infield prospect singled to center field with one out in the top of the sixth inning. He stole second base, then came around to score with two outs on an infield single from Tampa Bay Rays left-handed hitting outfield prospect Chandler Simpson to extend Team USA’s lead to 3-0.
Team USA went 5-4 in the Premier12. In the previous Premier12, the US finished in fourth place.
Johnson struck out and walked in his next two at-bats. The Pirates’ No. 3 prospect by MLB Pipeline and the No. 75 prospect in baseball hit .310/.414/.429 with one home run and two RBIs in nine games. He also walked six times and struck out nine times.
Before playing in the WBSC Premier12, Johnson played in the Arizona Fall League. The left-handed hitting prospect batted .250/.444/.475 with one home run and four RBIs across 11 games for the Scottsdale Scorpions. He also walked 14 times and scored nine runs.
Johnson, who was the fourth overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft by Pittsburgh spent time with High-A Greensboro (110 games) and Double-A Altoona (14 games) in 2024. He batted .237/.366/.386 with 15 home runs and 54 RBIs in his 124 games played.
Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburg, PA
Pittsburgh’s Light Up Night kicks off the holiday season
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The holiday season began in Pittsburgh on Saturday night with the city’s popular Light Up Night event.
Thousands crowded Downtown streets to ring in the holidays.
The iconic Highmark Christmas tree was lit along with trees at the City-County Building and PPG Place. A new light show on the Sister Bridges was also unveiled.
“It’s just a magical time of the year,” said Nicole Ambrogio.
She brought her kids to see the Highmark tree lit up.
“It almost gives you that Times Square-like feeling,” said Melissa Iaquinta. “It was amazing. The fireworks are always an added touch, and it’s beautiful.”
Vendors also filled Market Square, along with caroling and drumming.
“This is my first Light Up Night. It’s honestly amazing. I love all the music,” said Pietro Pucci. “It’s really magical; it’s like a winter wonderland come to life.”
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