4+ day, 2+ hour ago  (557+ words) PITTSBURGH — 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…...

5+ day, 13+ hour ago  (841+ words) Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber and Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami were named Friday as participants in the Home Run Derby, filling out the eight-man field for the contest in Philadelphia on Monday night. The 33-year-old Schwarber, who leads the…...

5+ day, 13+ hour ago  (718+ words) It’s often said that Minor League Baseball is about development far more than winning. But standing outside the Altoona Curve’s locker room following Friday’s 5-4 win over Richmond, that seemed more like the opinion of someone not on a baseball diamond…...

5+ day, 13+ hour ago  (712+ words) PHILADELPHIA — The Chicago White Sox are done playing for first. In the standings? Of course not. Led by All-Star third baseman Miguel Vargas, the White Sox have emerged as one of the top surprises and are in AL Central contention…...

5+ day, 13+ hour ago  (571+ words) Jesse Georgiana went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs as Alexander Financial Group downed MH Electric Services, 12-5, in Altoona AAABA League action at Vets Field on Friday. Matt Gutshall had two hits and two RBIs for Alexander, and Cooper…...

5+ day, 18+ hour ago  (663+ words) When I began teaching a class one afternoon, I raised the projector screen so I could post some quick notes. To my surprise, a clever Penn State student wrote “Nike Lions” and “Pepsi State” boldly on the board, leaving it…...

6+ day, 13+ hour ago  (523+ words) NEW YORK — Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper and St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker will participate in the Home Run Derby in Philadelphia on Monday night. Harper and Walker join Boston’s Willson Contreras, Kansas City’s Jac Caglianone, Tampa Bay’s Junior…...

6+ day, 13+ hour ago  (332+ words) PITTSBURGH — 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…...

6+ day, 13+ hour ago  (1117+ words) PITTSBURGH — After splitting time between the Pittsburgh Pirates starting rotation and the team’s bullpen in his first full season with the Bucs last year, Braxton Ashcraft has blossomed in a full-time starting role this season. Entering his final start before…...

6+ day, 13+ hour ago  (1154+ words) Blair County Oil erupted for eight runs in the bottom of the third inning en route to a 12-0, five-inning win over Honey Baked Ham at Juniata Field Thursday night in Greater City League baseball action. Chase Shaffer came through with…...