Bailey Falter struggles to find the zone early in the inning, giving up two walks to Marcus Semien and Adolis García, and it costs him. A single to left field from Josh Smith brings home Semien to give them a 1-0 lead over the Pirates. #LetsGoBucs

And Josh Jung follows Smith’s RBI single up with one of his own, driving in García from third. 2-0 Rangers over the Pirates before the Bucs get out of it with a double play. #LetsGoBucs

Ke'Bryan Hayes gets the Buccos on the board! An RBI single down the first baseline brings across Joey Bart for the first run of the game for the home squad. 2-1 Rangers over the Pirates. #LetsGoBucs

And just like that, we're all tied up! Tommy Pham, who singled in his first at-bat, steps up and sends a ball out to center field. Spencer Horwitz tags up from third and scores on the sac fly, and things are knotted at 2-2 here at PNC Park. #LetsGoBucs

Jack Leiter exits today's game after walking O'Neil Cruz in the bottom of the fifth inning. His final line: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R/2 ER, 2 K Caleb Boushley enters to face Andrew McCutchen. #LetsGoBucs

After McCutchen grounds out and Reynolds singles, Nick Gonzales sends a ground ball through the right side of the infield, plating Cruz to put the Pirates up 3-2 with one out in the inning. #LetsGoBucs

Well, how about that for some offense? The Pirates go up 5-2 on a 2-RBI double from Spencer Horwitz over the head of Adolis García in right field, and then Ke'Bryan Hayes and Tommy Pham both come through with RBIs as well, putting the Buccos up 7-2. #LetsGoBucs

Tommy Pham is having a game for the ages today. Currently 3-3 with a sacrifice fly and 3 RBI’s, with all three coming on his two doubles. Pirates up 8-3. #LetsGoBucs

David Bednar is a stronger man than I for wearing long sleeves in this heat. #LetsGoBucs

The Pirates win 100% of their games and average 8 runs and 15 hits when Intern Jeff (Jeff Middleton) is in the press box.

Pirates win 8-3 on the back of 15 hits by the offense and some stellar pitching from the bullpen. Lots of fantastic individual performances, including ones from Tommy Pham (3-3 with a sac fly and 3 RBI’s), Bryan Reynolds (3-4) and Spencer Horwitz (3-4 with 2 RBI’s) #LetsGoBucs

Story is filed for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Post-Gazette Sports, which means that’s a wrap on covering my first MLB game. It was a great day at the ballpark, and it was nice to see a win, too. More to come later this evening and through this week!

Don Kelly said it was stifling. Joey Bart said it was a grind. Bailey Falter said it was hot, but he felt fine. My story for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/Post-Gazette Sports from PNC Park on the heat that forced Pirates fans into the shade and players to adjust. post-gazette.com/sports/pirates…

It’s officially NHL Draft week, which obviously means I’ll be writing all about it for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/Post-Gazette Sports. The Penguins select 11th overall in the first round, so who are some players they could target? My first piece of a five-part series: post-gazette.com/sports/penguin…

Hey, Pens fans. Follow Jeff, then read Jeff. He’s going to be helping me out with the NHL draft and other Penguins prospect content during his summer Pittsburgh Post-Gazette internship. His first piece is on Kashawn Aitcheson, who could become a fan favorite if drafted here ⬇️

Something for Penguins fans to keep an eye out for as we move through draft week. Pittsburgh will either have the 11th and 12th overall selections on Friday, or they will have the 11th and a first rounder next year with potential for Gavin McKenna.

With the Pens now picking 11th AND 12th, you will really want to read these pieces from Jeff ⬇️

Let the games begin!

90 DAYS UNTIL WE'RE BACK IN ACTION! Our 2025.26 pre-season schedule has been set. Details: pens.pe/4nidHcn