Sports
After ending 10-game skid, Cubs face tall task vs. Paul Skenes, Pirates
May 17, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) reacts after striking out Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (not pictured) during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images The Chicago Cubs finally cured some of their ills by snapping their longest losing streak in almost four years on Wednesday.
But on Thursday night, the Cubs will face Pirates ace and reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes, who will try to get back on track in the finale of the teams’ four-game series in Pittsburgh.
Skenes (6-4, 3.00 ERA), who will oppose fellow right-hander Colin Rea (4-3, 4.83) of the Cubs, is coming off back-to-back subpar starts following a pair of strong outings to open May.
Skenes allowed four runs on a career-high nine hits — including a leadoff home run by George Springer — in a 5-2 loss at Toronto on Saturday. Skenes appeared to shake off the blast until the sixth inning, when he gave up four consecutive hits, which led to three runs, without recording an out.
That showing followed a start in which he allowed five runs on six hits over five innings in a 6-0 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on May 17. It was the first time Skenes has yielded more than three earned runs in consecutive starts.
He opened May with back-to-back outings of eight scoreless innings, during which he allowed only two hits per appearance.
“There was good and bad,” Skenes said after his start. “I need to get ahead in counts. I wasn’t super unhappy with some of the execution on some of the pitches but could have executed a number of them better.”
Skenes is 2-2 with a 2.94 ERA in seven career starts against the Cubs.
Chicago has been streaky, putting together two 10-game winning stretches this season and a 10-game skid that ended with a 10-4 victory Wednesday.
Ian Happ, who recently sat out two games during a major slump, ignited the Cubs’ offense with five RBIs. He entered the game in a 2-for-31 stretch and was hitting .212 before continuing his strong play in his hometown of Pittsburgh. Happ reached base for the 40th consecutive game at PNC Park and is a career .300 hitter there.
“Whatever you want to call it, monkey on your back, whatever, it’s nice that it’s gone,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “It starts over tomorrow, and you have to win a game tomorrow, but we needed it. The room needed it. We all needed it. And we played a good game tonight.”
The offensive jolt was huge for the Cubs, who had scored only 14 runs over their previous eight games.
Jameson Taillon was just effective enough to keep Chicago in the game until its six-run seventh inning broke it open.
Rea will try to keep the momentum going as he looks to build off his longest start of the season. He went seven innings and allowed three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four on Saturday in a 3-0 loss to the Houston Astros.
Rea had pitched only twice into the seventh inning this season before that game.
He is 3-3 with a 5.09 ERA in 10 career appearances (eight starts) against the Pirates.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Dodgers' Teoscar Hernandez exits with hamstring strain, will go on IL
May 23, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernandez (37) hits an RBI single during the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernandez left Los Angeles’ Wednesday game against the Colorado Rockies after the second inning with a left hamstring strain that will force him onto the injured list.
Hernandez hit a ground ball to shortstop in his second-inning at-bat and had a pronounced limp after running through the first base bag. He grabbed at his left hamstring after reaching the dugout.
“Don’t know how severe it is,” manager Dave Roberts said after the Dodgers’ 4-1 win. “He tested well, but we’re going to get a scan (Thursday). …
“There’s just no timeline (for his return). Something like that obviously is gonna be a few weeks at the minimum.”
Hyeseong Kim replaced Hernandez in left field to start the third inning, his first appearance in left during two seasons in the major leagues.
In 51 games this season, Hernandez is batting .276 with seven home runs and 31 RBIs. After some early-season struggles, Hernandez entered the Wednesday game hitting .370 with three home runs and 14 RBIs over his previous 15 contests.
A veteran of 11 seasons, Hernandez is a career .261 hitter with 224 home runs and 692 RBIs in 1,150 games with the Houston Astros (2016-17), the Toronto Blue Jays (2017-22), the Seattle Mariners (2023) and the Dodgers (2024-26).
–Field Level Media
Sports
MLB roundup: Ian Happ-led Cubs blast Pirates to halt 10-game skid
May 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ (8) and relief pitcher Ethan Roberts (39) celebrate after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Ian Happ drove in five runs and ignited a six-run seventh inning with a three-run home run that eventually helped the Chicago Cubs snap a 10-game losing streak with a 10-4 win over the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.
The Cubs last scored 10 runs in a game in their prior win May 15 before the losing streak began. The skid was the longest active losing streak in the majors and the longest for the Cubs since June 4-16, 2022. Chicago won for only the third time in its past 17 games.
Happ finished with two hits, marking his first multi-hit game since May 15. Happ’s 11th home run of the season off Pittsburgh reliever Yohan Ramirez (2-2) helped the Cubs break a 4-4 tie on the way to snapping the Pirates’ three-game winning streak.
Seiya Suzuki followed Happ’s homer with a single, then Michael Conforto belted his fourth homer of the season off Justin Lawrence to add two more runs. Michael Busch capped the frame with an RBI single.
Pirates starter Bubba Chandler allowed four runs on eight hits, walked two and struck out five over five innings. Bryan Reynolds had three hits, including a double.
Brewers 2, Cardinals 1
Sal Frelick scored the go-ahead run on an eighth-inning error by St. Louis shortstop Masyn Winn as host Milwaukee rallied for a win and a series sweep.
Cardinals starter Dustin May (3-6) held the Brewers hitless through the first seven innings but didn’t retire either of the batters he faced in the eighth. Garrett Mitchell doubled and Luis Rengifo hit a bunt single before JoJo Romero replaced May. One out later, Christian Yelich’s RBI single tied the game 1-1 before Winn made the key error.
Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby (9-0) threw two scoreless innings, and Trevor Megill notched his sixth save with a scoreless ninth.
Tigers 4, Angels 0
Spencer Torkelson had three extra-base hits, including a solo homer, and Detroit overcame two pitching injuries to blank visiting Los Angeles.
Kevin McGonigle had two hits and scored twice for the Tigers, who won for just the second time in 11 games. Detroit starter Casey Mize and reliever Kenley Jansen both departed due to groin injuries, though the extent of the ailments was unclear postgame.
Jose Soriano (6-4) gave up three runs on seven hits in five innings as the Angels had their four-game winning streak end.
Guardians 3, Nationals 2
Chase DeLauter drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth and Gavin Williams notched his American League-leading eighth win as Cleveland beat visiting Washington
Williams (8-3) worked seven strong innings, allowing one run on three hits. Jose Ramirez poked a sacrifice fly to start the Guardians’ three-run fifth, which also featured RBI singles by DeLauter and Angel Martinez.
Miles Mikolas (1-4) did not allow an earned run in 3 2/3 innings, but took the loss due to a Curtis Mead error that led to two unearned runs. CJ Abrams went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base.
Dodgers 4, Rockies 1
Shohei Ohtani (5-2) did not allow a hit over six innings on the mound and added a leadoff home run from the batter’s box as Los Angeles extended its winning streak to five games with a victory over visiting Colorado.
Ohtani and Will Klein held the Rockies without a hit through seven innings before Tyler Freeman singled to right field with two outs in the eighth against Tanner Scott. Kyle Hurt finished off the combined one-hitter with a perfect ninth inning to earn his first career save. Freddie Freeman also went deep in the opening inning before Andy Pages homered in the eighth.
Rockies starter Tomoyuki Sugano (4-4) gave up three runs on six hits over 4 2/3 innings in a duel of Japanese-born starters. Colorado scored its lone run in the fourth inning on a groundout by Willi Castro en route to its fifth loss in a row.
Phillies 3, Padres 0
Cristopher Sanchez set Philadelphia’s franchise record for consecutive scoreless innings as it completed a three-game sweep of San Diego at Petco Park.
Sanchez passed Grover Cleveland Alexander’s mark of 41 innings, set in 1911. The left-hander finished seven innings, permitting six hits and no walks while fanning nine as he improved to 6-2. Sanchez has fired 44 2/3 straight scoreless innings.
Walker Buehler (3-3) took the loss, yielding two runs on three hits in 5 1/3 innings. It was the fourth straight loss for San Diego, which closed a nine-game homestand at 3-6.
Yankees 7, Royals 0
Gerrit Cole (1-0) scattered four hits and struck out 10 over 6 2/3 stellar innings and Ben Rice had three RBIs as visiting New York completed a three-game sweep with a shutout victory over Kansas City.
The Yankees beat the Royals for the 14th straight time including playoffs. Rice and Paul Goldschmidt each had two hits and Ryan McMahon clubbed a two-run homer in the eighth for New York, which has won four straight.
Royals starter Noah Cameron (2-4) allowed two runs and four hits over five-plus innings. Maikel Garcia poked two of the Royals’ four hits as they dropped to 3-13 since May 10.
White Sox 15, Twins 2
David Sandlin (1-0) pitched six innings of one-run ball in his major league debut and Munetaka Murakami homered for the third straight game as host Chicago blasted Minnesota.
An 18-hit attack propelled Chicago. Sam Antonacci and Randal Grichuk collected three hits apiece. Chase Meidroth hit a seventh-inning grand slam before Murakami followed with his 20th home run, tied for the American League lead.
Twins lefty Connor Prielipp (1-3) sputtered in his seventh career start, allowing six runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Blue Jays 2, Marlins 1
Kazuma Okamoto hit a go-ahead home run in the sixth inning and Toronto defeated visiting Miami.
The Marlins outhit the Blue Jays 11-5 but stranded eight in going 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position. They also had four runners caught stealing. Otto Lopez went 4-for-4 with two stolen bases and the Marlins’ lone RBI. Eury Perez left after four scoreless innings with a right hamstring spasm. He had a season-best nine strikeouts.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. produced two of Toronto’s five hits. Miami pitching fanned 13 Blue Jays. Kevin Gausman allowed one run and six hits in five innings.
Mariners 9, Athletics 1
Rob Refsnyder and Julio Rodriguez hit three-run homers and Logan Gilbert pitched six scoreless innings as Seattle routed the Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif., to move into first place in the American League West for the first time this season.
Gilbert (3-4) allowed five hits. Rookie Colt Emerson had two hits, including a two-run triple, while Cole Young had two hits and scored three runs. The Mariners completed the sweep, outscoring the Athletics 22-4.
Athletics starter Jeffrey Springs (3-6) allowed five runs (two earned) on six hits over five innings. Zack Gelof and Darell Hernaiz each had two hits for the Athletics, who got their only run in the ninth on a Jeff McNeil double play.
Diamondbacks 3, Giants 2
Geraldo Perdomo hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the seventh inning and visiting Arizona threw out two San Francisco players on the basepaths in a crazy eighth to hold on for a victory that completed a second consecutive three-game sweep between the National League West rivals.
Michael Soroka (7-2) limited the Giants to two runs and four hits over six innings. Ketel Marte finished with two hits of the Diamondbacks’ six hits, with Paul Sewald delivering a 1-2-3 ninth for his 14th save after Luis Arraez was picked off at second to end the eighth when representing the tying run.
Arraez finished 3-for-4 with both San Francisco RBIs, while Willy Adames chipped in with a pair of doubles. Trevor McDonald (2-2) took a shutout one-hitter into the sixth inning, but gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits in 6 1/3 innings.
Red Sox 8, Braves 0
Connelly Early pitched seven scoreless innings and Jarren Duran homered for the second straight game to help Boston end a four-game losing streak by beating visiting Atlanta.
Early (5-2) limited the Braves to four hits and three walks. The Red Sox took command with a six-run fourth thanks to five singles and a pair of Atlanta errors. Duran had four of Boston’s 15 hits while Ceddanne Rafaela chipped in three to help snap a five-game home losing streak.
Atlanta starter Bryce Elder (4-3) was pulled with one out in the fourth after allowing six runs (five earned) on nine hits. It marked the first time in 12 starts this season he allowed more than three runs. Jorge Mateo had two of Atlanta’s five hits.
Mets 4, Reds 2
Juan Soto hit his sixth homer in seven games and Carson Benge had a pair of two-out RBI singles to lead New York past visiting Cincinnati to avoid a sweep.
Benge and Soto each had two hits, helping the Mets score more than two runs for the first time in seven games while snapping a five-game losing streak. Jonah Tong (1-0) allowed one unearned run on three hits over 3 2/3 innings. Devin Williams walked the bases loaded in the ninth but struck out the final two batters to record his eighth save.
The Reds fell for just the second time in seven games, stranding 17 runners on base. Nathaniel Lowe and Sal Stewart had RBI singles for Cincinnati, who saw starter Andrew Abbott’s (4-3) personal four-game win streak snapped after allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits over six innings.
Orioles 11, Rays 2
Gunnar Henderson hit the first of his two home runs in Baltimore’s five-run first inning as the Orioles beat visiting Tampa Bay to complete a three-game sweep.
Rookie Trey Gibson (1-0) tossed 5 2/3 innings and gave up one run on six hits for his first major league victory. Blaze Alexander drove in six runs with a single, a double and a home run, and Adley Rutschman added three hits, including two doubles.
Hunter Feduccia had three hits for the Rays, who have lost four games in a row for the first time this season. Steven Matz (4-2) surrendered six runs on seven hits in three innings.
Astros 4, Rangers 3
Yordan Alvarez went 3-for-4 with two solo home runs, including a go-ahead blast in the eighth inning, and Houston beat Texas in Arlington, Texas.
Mike Burrows (3-6) allowed two runs on five hits over seven innings. He retired 20 of his final 23 batters to help Houston win for the fifth time in its last six games. With five homers in his last three games, Alvarez has moved into a tie atop the AL leaderboard with 20 homers.
Joc Pederson also had two homers in a 3-for-4 performance for the Rangers. Jacob deGrom allowed two runs on four hits over six innings, but was denied his 100th career win for the third straight outing.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Falcons soar to tie for first in BLAST Slam VII group stage
Jul 21, 2019; Miami Beach, FL, USA; A general view of gaming controllers on display during the Call of Duty League Finals e-sports event at Miami Beach Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images Team Falcons swept three matches on Wednesday to pull into a tie for first place in the group stage of the BLAST Slam VII at Copenhagen, Denmark.
One of the wins for Team Falcons came against Team Yandex, leaving those clubs tied for first place at 5-1. Team Yandex won their other two matches of the day.
PARIVISION captured both of their Wednesday matches to sit in third place at 4-1. Team Liquid enjoyed a 3-0 day to improve to 4-2, level in fourth place with LGD Gaming, who went 2-1 on Wednesday.
The $1 million event is beginning with 12 participants in a group stage that runs through Friday. Group play is a round-robin, best-of-one format. The top two teams at the end of the week will advance to the upper-bracket semifinals of the playoffs, while the third- and fourth-place teams will start in the upper-bracket quarters.
The fifth- and sixth-place teams will proceed to Round 2 of the last-chance qualifier, while teams 7-10 in the standings will begin in Round 1 of that stage. The bottom two teams will be eliminated.
Team Falcons began action Wednesday with a 33-minute win on green over Aurora Gaming. Russia’s Stanislav “Malr1ne” Potorak paced Team Falcons with a 12-1-12 kill-death-assist ratio.
Team Falcons then logged a 48-minute victory on red over Team Yandex behind Malr1ne’s 18-3-15 K-D-A ratio. A 40-minute triumph on red over Xtreme Gaming capped Team Falcons’ perfect day, with Jordan’s Ammar “ATF” Al-Assaf registering a 7-1-10 K-D-A ratio for the victors.
BLAST Slam VII standings
T1. Team Falcons, 5-1
T1. Team Yandex, 5-1
3. PARIVISION, 4-1
T4. Team Liquid, 4-2
T4. LGD Gaming, 4-2
T6. BetBoom Team, 2-3
T6. GLYPH, 2-3
T8. Aurora Gaming, 2-4
T8. Team Spirit, 2-4
T8. Tundra Esports, 2-4
11. OG, 1-4
12. Xtreme Gaming, 1-5
BLAST Slam VII payouts (prize money, team earnings)
1. $300,000, $100,000
2. $150,000, $45,000
3. $70,000, $23,000
4. $50,000, $17,000
5-6. $40,000, $15,000
7-8. $25,000, $10,000
9-10. $15,000, $5,000
11-12. $10,000, $2,500
–Field Level Media
