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Pirate wins challenge he didn’t want

CHICAGO (AP) — Pittsburgh’s Nick Gonzales wanted to challenge a strike call. Then he didn’t want to challenge a strike call. Then he won the challenge anyway. The amusing sequence happened in the seventh inning of Pittsburgh’s 2-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday. Gonzales was down 0-2 with one out and no one on when he looked at a 93.6 mph fastball from Cubs reliever Caleb Thielbar. Umpire Roberto Ortiz ruled it was a called third strike. Gonzales motioned to his helmet with his right hand, indicating he wanted to use baseball’s new Automated Ball-Strike System to ...

Reese in a good position

COLUMBUS (AP) — Arvell Reese could be the first defensive player off the board during the first round of the NFL draft on April 23 in Pittsburgh. There isn’t a clear consensus, though, on the best position for the Ohio State linebacker. Scouts and defensive coaches praise Reese for his versatility. Most think he can develop into an elite pass rusher, while others envision him more as an off-ball linebacker. As for where Reese feels he is the best fit, he will leave that up to the team that selects him. “Last year, I played everywhere from inside linebackers to SAM (outside) ...

McIlroy off to a good start

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Rory McIlroy began his title defense in the Masters with a tee shot that rolled next to a spectator’s seat. Another one was in the trees. His tee shot on the seventh hole went into the 17th fairway. The prevailing thought was not concern, not the slightest bit of panic. He’s the Masters champion. That brought a measure of patience and a load of freedom. “I just trusted that eventually I’ll start to make some good swings. So that was a little different,” McIlroy said after opening with a 5-under 67, his best start at Augusta National in 15 years, to ...

Pirates rookie signs largest contract in franchise history

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Konnor Griffin is with the Pittsburgh Pirates for the long haul. The 19-year-old shortstop agreed to a nine-year, $140 million contract with the Pirates early Wednesday, less than a week after the former first-round pick made his major league debut. The deal, the largest in club history, includes escalators that could raise the total value to $150 million. Griffin’s Pittsburgh teammates attended Wednesday’s news conference to announce the deal hours before the team lost to the San Diego Padres 8-2. “This week has been amazing, debut week, and then ...

Priorities changed for Scheffler

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler’s son Bennett turns 2 next month, and Remy was born less than two weeks ago. Neither is old enough to understand the significance of Augusta National, the Masters and the green jacket their father sometimes wears. “(His wife Meredith) got this great picture of me and Bennett walking into the clubhouse with me with my green jacket and holding his hand. But, I mean, he has no idea what it means,” Scheffler said. “This place signifies so much for me in my golf journey, and that’s something I’d love to be able to share with my kids. ...

Martinez, Guardians slam Royals

CLEVELAND (AP) — Angel Martinez belted a grand slam and had a career-high four hits, and rookie Chase DeLauter delivered a two-run double to lift the Cleveland Guardians to a 10-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. Martinez launched a 374-foot shot to right off Steven Cruz in the eighth inning, when the Guardians scored five times to blow open what was a 5-2 game. Rhys Hoskins had a career-best three doubles as Cleveland tied its season high with 16 hits. Guardians starter Joey Cantillo (1-0) struck out nine over 5 2/3 innings, allowing one earned run and one ...