Sports

Pirates avoid sweep, top Blue Jays

Local Sports May 25, 2026

TORONTO — Esmerlyn Valdez homered for his first career hit, Spencer Horwitz and Oneil Cruz also connected and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1 on Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep. Valdez was promoted from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday and had gone 0 for 7 before hitting a two-run homer off Chase Lee in the sixth inning. Pirates reliever Dennis Santana brokered a trade with a young fan for the ball, handing over a bat signed by Valdez and a Pirates cap in exchange for Valdez’s keepsake. Blue Jays starter Dylan Cease exited after 4 2/3 innings because of ...

Girard's Herrick throws complete-game shutout to beat Crestwood

High School Sports May 23, 2026

GIRARD — Entering Friday’s playoff game vs. Crestwood at Liberty Park, Girard starting pitcher Cam Herrick wanted to just play baseball and not think about the back injury from which he had been suffering. The senior ace got his wish. Herrick, who had been dealing with a “really ...

Mathews downs Bombers for third time this season

High School Sports May 23, 2026

VIENNA — Baseball games often come down to the team that can string hits together at the right time. On Friday, that team was Mathews. The Mustangs got the hits they needed in a 5-1 victory over Windham in a Division VII, Northeast 1, sectional final matchup in Vienna. The win marks the ...

Manzardo’s HR lifts Guards past Philly

Local Sports May 23, 2026

PHILADELPHIA — Kyle Manzardo hit a pinch-hit homer off Phillies closer Jhoan Duran in the ninth inning to preserve a terrific outing for starter Gavin Williams and lead the Cleveland Guardians to a 1-0 win over Philadelphia on Friday night. Cade Smith worked a scoreless ninth for his 19th ...

Mitchell and Cavaliers in trouble in the East finals

Local Sports May 23, 2026

NEW YORK — Donovan Mitchell insists he is feeling good. Actually even better than that. He had better be, or the Cleveland Cavaliers are in trouble. Questions about Mitchell’s health persisted after he and his teammates lost Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals to the New York ...

It’s never too late to learn from a veteran fisherman

Local Sports May 23, 2026

The fifth fish Ray hoisted over the gunwale of the Bass Cat was the proof I needed that I should accept his offer to share one of his lures. Sometimes I need the evidence to hit me in the head. Fishing buddy Ray Halter and I teamed up last week to explore one of our favorite lakes in search of springtime largemouth bass. Ray was the longtime owner of The Rodmaker’s Shop in Strongsville, one of northeast Ohio’s premier fishing tackle stores, and even as he approaches his 80th birthday still gets on the water two or three days a week. He’s learned a thing or two across the ...