Sports
Esmerlyn Valdez (3 RBIs), Pirates split series with Phillies
Jul 2, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Esmerlyn Valdez (55) hits an RBI single during the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Rookie Esmerlyn Valdez drove in three runs and Nick Gonzales and Endy Rodriguez each homered, fueling the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday afternoon.
Valdez forged a 1-1 tie with an RBI single to center field in the fifth inning. Two innings later, he recorded his first career triple after the ball sailed under the glove of Phillies center fielder Justin Crawford, allowing Brandon Lowe to score from second base and give Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead.
Valdez didn’t stay on third base for long, coming home on Gonzales’ bloop single to shallow left field off Jose Alvarado (3-3).
Rodriguez went deep to lead off the eighth with his fifth homer of the season.
Valdez added a sacrifice fly in the eighth and Gonzales joined Jake Mangum with a three-hit performance after homering to lead off the ninth. The homer was the fourth of the season for Gonzales.
The Pirates banged out 14 hits to salvage a split of the four-game series.
Carmen Mlodzinski (5-3) relieved starter Jared Jones and scattered two hits over three scoreless innings.
Bryce Harper ripped an RBI double in the third for the Phillies, who mustered just four hits on the day.
Alvarado permitted two runs on three hits in one inning.
Alan Rangel, who was making his first career major league start, worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the third after inducing Valdez to ground into a 5-3 double play.
The Phillies opened the scoring in their half of the third, as Rafael Marchan reached on a four-pitch walk by Jones and came around to score on Harper’s double to left field.
After Valdez leveled the contest in the fifth, Tim Mayza induced Ryan O’Hearn to ground into an inning-ending double play.
Philadelphia’s Jonathan Bowlan recorded a pair of strikeouts to strand a pair of runners on base in the sixth.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Reports: Wild acquiring Blake Coleman, Olli Maatta from Flames
Apr 7, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Calgary Flames left wing Blake Coleman (20) looks on during the first period against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The Minnesota Wild are acquiring forward Blake Coleman and defenseman Olli Maatta from the Calgary Flames in exchange for blueliner Jake Middleton, multiple media outlets reported on Thursday.
ESPN reported that the Flames will retain 50% of Coleman’s $4.9 million cap hit on his contract that is set to expire next summer. The Athletic said Calgary will also receive three Minnesota draft picks in the deal, including a second-round selection in 2029.
Coleman, 34, recorded 35 points (20 goals, 15 assists) in 69 games last season with the Flames. He is entering the final season of a six-year, $29.4 million contract.
A two-time Stanley Cup champion with Tampa Bay, Coleman has totaled 325 points (170 goals, 155 assists) in 693 career games with the New Jersey Devils, Lightning and Flames.
Maatta, 31, had 15 points (two goals, 13 assists) in 43 games last season, split between the Utah Mammoth and the Flames. A two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Maatta has 210 points (44 goals, 166 assists) in 804 career games with six teams.
Middleton, 30, totaled 16 points (two goals, 14 assists) in 75 games last season. He has 94 points (24 goals, 70 assists) in 381 career games with the San Jose Sharks and Wild.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Wild acquire F Blake Coleman, D Olli Maatta from Flames
Apr 7, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Calgary Flames left wing Blake Coleman (20) looks on during the first period against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The Minnesota Wild acquired forward Blake Coleman and defenseman Olli Maatta from the Calgary Flames on Thursday in exchange for blueliner Jake Middleton and three draft picks.
The Flames will receive a third-round pick in 2027, a fourth-rounder in 2028 and a second-round selection in 2029.
ESPN reported that Calgary will retain 50% of Coleman’s $4.9 million cap hit on his contract that is set to expire next summer.
Coleman, 34, recorded 35 points (20 goals, 15 assists) in 69 games last season with the Flames. He is entering the final season of a six-year, $29.4 million contract.
A two-time Stanley Cup champion with Tampa Bay, Coleman has totaled 325 points (170 goals, 155 assists) in 693 career games with the New Jersey Devils, Lightning and Flames.
Maatta, 31, had 15 points (two goals, 13 assists) in 43 games last season, split between the Utah Mammoth and the Flames. A two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Maatta has 210 points (44 goals, 166 assists) in 804 career games with six teams.
Middleton, 30, totaled 16 points (two goals, 14 assists) in 75 games last season. He has 94 points (24 goals, 70 assists) in 381 career games with the San Jose Sharks and Wild.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Charlie Woods unravels to miss cut by 6 at Pinehurst amateur
Charlie Woods watches his tee shot during the 109th Florida Amateur Championship at The Club at Admiral’s Cove on June 11, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. Charlie Woods finished poorly and missed the cut at this week’s North & South Men’s Amateur tournament at Pinehurst.
The son of golf legend Tiger Woods finished at 7-over-par through 36 holes at the North Carolina resort.
Woods, a rising senior at Florida’s The Benjamin School, was one shot below the projected cut line with four holes remaining in the second round Wednesday.
He finished with three bogeys and a triple bogey to fall six shots short of advancing to match play on Thursday. The top 31 players made the cut.
Woods, 17, has committed to play at Florida State as part of the 2027 recruiting class. He currently is No. 172 in the Rolex American Junior Golf Association rankings.
–Field Level Media
Reports: Wild acquiring Blake Coleman, Olli Maatta from Flames
NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 3, 2026
