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Atletico Madrid hits back to hold Arsenal in cagey Champions League semifinal Atletico Madrid and Arsenal traded penalties on Wednesday as Julian Alvarez’s second-half ​spot kick cancelled out Viktor Gyokeres’s first-half goal to earn the two sides a 1-1 draw in a Champions League semifinal ‌first leg that simmered more than it sizzled.After Tuesday’s nine-goal thriller between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and ​Bayern Munich in the first semifinal in France, the Metropolitano was treated to a far more ⁠tactical affair, although the home crowd did their best to provide some early theatre by greeting the teams with an avalanche of toilet paper thrown from the stands to the pitch.Atletico enjoyed more possession early on but handed Arsenal the lead in the ‌44th minute when Gyokeres was brought down by David Hancko inside the box. The Sweden striker struck the penalty firmly past Jan Oblak to send Arsenal ahead at half-time.Atletico equalised in the ‌56th minute after the VAR spotted a Ben White handball inside the box from Marcos Llorente’s shot. Alvarez ‌fired ⁠the resulting penalty into the top left corner beyond David Raya.Antoine Griezmann rattled the crossbar a ⁠little later while Arsenal was awarded a late penalty that was overturned by the referee after a VAR review.“We gave it a go. We went behind early on from a penalty that I thought was a bit dubious. We had chances to win it, but it will all be ​decided in the second leg. They defend very ‌well and have some very quick players up front,” Atletico captain Koke told Movistar Plus.“We failed to finish off the game with the chances we had. We hope the match in London isn’t our last in the Champions League this season.”The winner after the May 5 return leg will face PSG or Bayern Munich ‌in the final in Budapest on May 30, with PSG leading 5-4 from their first leg.Arsenal, juggling ​the tie with its Premier League title race against Manchester City, fielded a weakened attack. Bukayo Saka was fit enough only for the bench after his recent return from an Achilles ⁠tendon problem, and Eberechi Eze also started among the substitutes after being withdrawn early against Newcastle on Saturday, while Kai Havertz did not travel after picking up an injury in the same match.Atletico began with bite, pressing high and snapping into ‌challenges as Griezmann and Alvarez led the charge. Alvarez forced Raya into a fine one-handed save in the 14th minute with a fierce strike from the edge of the box.Arsenal remained dangerous on the break and gradually grew into the match as Atletico dropped deeper and lost some of its early thrust, gifting Arsenal the opener shortly before halftime.Trying to play out from the back, the host surrendered possession, and Arsenal reacted sharply through Martin Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard, who looked for Gyokeres in the area. Hancko then brought down the Swede from behind, conceding a penalty that Gyokeres ‌thundered past Oblak.Diego Simeone’s side responded after the break and nearly levelled three minutes after the restart when Alvarez curled a free kick ​from the edge of the box just past the right post.The equaliser arrived in the 56th minute and led Mikel Arteta to send on Eze for Odegaard immediately afterwards, but Atletico kept pushing. ⁠Griezmann struck the crossbar in the 63rd minute, while Ademola Lookman wasted a big chance in the 74th, turning sharply in ⁠the box before shooting weakly at Raya.Arsenal thought it had won another penalty when referee Danny Makkelie pointed to the spot after Hancko appeared to step on Eze, but he overturned the decision after a ‌VAR review.“In the first half, I think we controlled the game quite well,” said Gyokeres. “They started much better in the second half, maybe deserved to get a goal, and overall it was a tough game.“At home with ​our fans, it’ll be different for sure. We have to do our job and be at our best.”Published on Apr 30, 2026 #Atletico #Madrid #hits #hold #Arsenal #cagey #Champions #League #semifinal

Atletico Madrid hits back to hold Arsenal in cagey Champions League semifinal

Atletico Madrid and Arsenal traded penalties on Wednesday as Julian Alvarez’s second-half ​spot kick cancelled out Viktor Gyokeres’s first-half goal to earn the two sides a 1-1 draw in a Champions League semifinal ‌first leg that simmered more than it sizzled.

After Tuesday’s nine-goal thriller between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and ​Bayern Munich in the first semifinal in France, the Metropolitano was treated to a far more ⁠tactical affair, although the home crowd did their best to provide some early theatre by greeting the teams with an avalanche of toilet paper thrown from the stands to the pitch.

Atletico enjoyed more possession early on but handed Arsenal the lead in the ‌44th minute when Gyokeres was brought down by David Hancko inside the box. The Sweden striker struck the penalty firmly past Jan Oblak to send Arsenal ahead at half-time.

Atletico equalised in the ‌56th minute after the VAR spotted a Ben White handball inside the box from Marcos Llorente’s shot. Alvarez ‌fired ⁠the resulting penalty into the top left corner beyond David Raya.

Antoine Griezmann rattled the crossbar a ⁠little later while Arsenal was awarded a late penalty that was overturned by the referee after a VAR review.

“We gave it a go. We went behind early on from a penalty that I thought was a bit dubious. We had chances to win it, but it will all be ​decided in the second leg. They defend very ‌well and have some very quick players up front,” Atletico captain Koke told Movistar Plus.

“We failed to finish off the game with the chances we had. We hope the match in London isn’t our last in the Champions League this season.”

The winner after the May 5 return leg will face PSG or Bayern Munich ‌in the final in Budapest on May 30, with PSG leading 5-4 from their first leg.

Arsenal, juggling ​the tie with its Premier League title race against Manchester City, fielded a weakened attack. Bukayo Saka was fit enough only for the bench after his recent return from an Achilles ⁠tendon problem, and Eberechi Eze also started among the substitutes after being withdrawn early against Newcastle on Saturday, while Kai Havertz did not travel after picking up an injury in the same match.

Atletico began with bite, pressing high and snapping into ‌challenges as Griezmann and Alvarez led the charge. Alvarez forced Raya into a fine one-handed save in the 14th minute with a fierce strike from the edge of the box.

Arsenal remained dangerous on the break and gradually grew into the match as Atletico dropped deeper and lost some of its early thrust, gifting Arsenal the opener shortly before halftime.

Trying to play out from the back, the host surrendered possession, and Arsenal reacted sharply through Martin Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard, who looked for Gyokeres in the area. Hancko then brought down the Swede from behind, conceding a penalty that Gyokeres ‌thundered past Oblak.

Diego Simeone’s side responded after the break and nearly levelled three minutes after the restart when Alvarez curled a free kick ​from the edge of the box just past the right post.

The equaliser arrived in the 56th minute and led Mikel Arteta to send on Eze for Odegaard immediately afterwards, but Atletico kept pushing. ⁠Griezmann struck the crossbar in the 63rd minute, while Ademola Lookman wasted a big chance in the 74th, turning sharply in ⁠the box before shooting weakly at Raya.

Arsenal thought it had won another penalty when referee Danny Makkelie pointed to the spot after Hancko appeared to step on Eze, but he overturned the decision after a ‌VAR review.

“In the first half, I think we controlled the game quite well,” said Gyokeres. “They started much better in the second half, maybe deserved to get a goal, and overall it was a tough game.

“At home with ​our fans, it’ll be different for sure. We have to do our job and be at our best.”

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Atletico #Madrid #hits #hold #Arsenal #cagey #Champions #League #semifinal

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Atletico Madrid and Arsenal traded penalties on Wednesday as Julian Alvarez’s second-half ​spot kick cancelled out Viktor Gyokeres’s first-half goal to earn the two sides a 1-1 draw in a Champions League semifinal ‌first leg that simmered more than it sizzled.

After Tuesday’s nine-goal thriller between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and ​Bayern Munich in the first semifinal in France, the Metropolitano was treated to a far more ⁠tactical affair, although the home crowd did their best to provide some early theatre by greeting the teams with an avalanche of toilet paper thrown from the stands to the pitch.

Atletico enjoyed more possession early on but handed Arsenal the lead in the ‌44th minute when Gyokeres was brought down by David Hancko inside the box. The Sweden striker struck the penalty firmly past Jan Oblak to send Arsenal ahead at half-time.

Atletico equalised in the ‌56th minute after the VAR spotted a Ben White handball inside the box from Marcos Llorente’s shot. Alvarez ‌fired ⁠the resulting penalty into the top left corner beyond David Raya.

Antoine Griezmann rattled the crossbar a ⁠little later while Arsenal was awarded a late penalty that was overturned by the referee after a VAR review.

“We gave it a go. We went behind early on from a penalty that I thought was a bit dubious. We had chances to win it, but it will all be ​decided in the second leg. They defend very ‌well and have some very quick players up front,” Atletico captain Koke told Movistar Plus.

“We failed to finish off the game with the chances we had. We hope the match in London isn’t our last in the Champions League this season.”

The winner after the May 5 return leg will face PSG or Bayern Munich ‌in the final in Budapest on May 30, with PSG leading 5-4 from their first leg.

Arsenal, juggling ​the tie with its Premier League title race against Manchester City, fielded a weakened attack. Bukayo Saka was fit enough only for the bench after his recent return from an Achilles ⁠tendon problem, and Eberechi Eze also started among the substitutes after being withdrawn early against Newcastle on Saturday, while Kai Havertz did not travel after picking up an injury in the same match.

Atletico began with bite, pressing high and snapping into ‌challenges as Griezmann and Alvarez led the charge. Alvarez forced Raya into a fine one-handed save in the 14th minute with a fierce strike from the edge of the box.

Arsenal remained dangerous on the break and gradually grew into the match as Atletico dropped deeper and lost some of its early thrust, gifting Arsenal the opener shortly before halftime.

Trying to play out from the back, the host surrendered possession, and Arsenal reacted sharply through Martin Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard, who looked for Gyokeres in the area. Hancko then brought down the Swede from behind, conceding a penalty that Gyokeres ‌thundered past Oblak.

Diego Simeone’s side responded after the break and nearly levelled three minutes after the restart when Alvarez curled a free kick ​from the edge of the box just past the right post.

The equaliser arrived in the 56th minute and led Mikel Arteta to send on Eze for Odegaard immediately afterwards, but Atletico kept pushing. ⁠Griezmann struck the crossbar in the 63rd minute, while Ademola Lookman wasted a big chance in the 74th, turning sharply in ⁠the box before shooting weakly at Raya.

Arsenal thought it had won another penalty when referee Danny Makkelie pointed to the spot after Hancko appeared to step on Eze, but he overturned the decision after a ‌VAR review.

“In the first half, I think we controlled the game quite well,” said Gyokeres. “They started much better in the second half, maybe deserved to get a goal, and overall it was a tough game.

“At home with ​our fans, it’ll be different for sure. We have to do our job and be at our best.”

Published on Apr 30, 2026

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Deadspin | Cavs come from behind to take 3-2 series lead vs. Raptors Apr 29, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates his three-point basket beside Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) in the first quarter of game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden finished with 23 points, rallying the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 125-120 victory over the visiting Toronto Raptors in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series Wednesday night. Fourth-seeded Cleveland, which trailed by 12 points on multiple occasions, has won all three of its home games so far. It can eliminate the fifth-seeded Raptors in Game 6 on Friday in Toronto. The Cavaliers used a 27-8 run that began late in the third to seize a 122-111 lead on two Max Strus free throws with 4:19 remaining. Schroder was the catalyst, igniting the sellout crowd with a midrange jumper and 3-pointer midway through the fourth. Evan Mobley had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell scored 19 for Cleveland. Harden also had nine rebounds, five assists and six turnovers in a series-high 39:45 minutes. RJ Barrett paced the Raptors with 25 points and Ja’Kobe Walter scored a career playoff-high 20 points and made 6-of-14 3-point attempts. Jamal Shead added 18 points off the bench and Scottie Barnes had 17 points and 11 assists for Toronto. Raptors small forward Brandon Ingram injured his right heel in the second quarter and did not return, leaving them without two starters as point guard Immanuel Quickley will miss the entire series with a right hamstring strain. Point guards Walter and Shead combined to make 10 3-pointers after going 0-for-17 in the previous two games. Mobley made a 3-pointer and Schroder hit a layup to complete a 13-0 run that gave the Cavaliers a 108-103 advantage early in the fourth. Toronto missed 10 shots and went 4 1/2 minutes without a point until Barrett made a free throw with 7:55 left. Barrett made four free throws to open the third, allowing the Raptors to equal their largest lead at 79-67. After Barnes and Harden were separated on a jump ball by the officials, Mitchell had eight points and cut Cleveland’s deficit to 103-100. Walter scored 17 points and five 3-pointers, and Barnes had 14 points and eight rebounds as Toronto shot 64.4% in leading 74-67 at the half. Harden had 19 points at the break, committing four turnovers in the second alone. Harden scored 14 points and played the entire first, which saw Toronto jump ahead 22-10 behind eight points from Barnes before the Cavaliers rallied to go in front 38-34. Mitchell drained a 38-footer at the buzzer. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Cavs #series #lead #RaptorsApr 29, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates his three-point basket beside Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) in the first quarter of game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden finished with 23 points, rallying the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 125-120 victory over the visiting Toronto Raptors in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series Wednesday night.

Fourth-seeded Cleveland, which trailed by 12 points on multiple occasions, has won all three of its home games so far. It can eliminate the fifth-seeded Raptors in Game 6 on Friday in Toronto.

The Cavaliers used a 27-8 run that began late in the third to seize a 122-111 lead on two Max Strus free throws with 4:19 remaining. Schroder was the catalyst, igniting the sellout crowd with a midrange jumper and 3-pointer midway through the fourth.

Evan Mobley had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell scored 19 for Cleveland. Harden also had nine rebounds, five assists and six turnovers in a series-high 39:45 minutes.

RJ Barrett paced the Raptors with 25 points and Ja’Kobe Walter scored a career playoff-high 20 points and made 6-of-14 3-point attempts. Jamal Shead added 18 points off the bench and Scottie Barnes had 17 points and 11 assists for Toronto.


Raptors small forward Brandon Ingram injured his right heel in the second quarter and did not return, leaving them without two starters as point guard Immanuel Quickley will miss the entire series with a right hamstring strain.

Point guards Walter and Shead combined to make 10 3-pointers after going 0-for-17 in the previous two games.

Mobley made a 3-pointer and Schroder hit a layup to complete a 13-0 run that gave the Cavaliers a 108-103 advantage early in the fourth. Toronto missed 10 shots and went 4 1/2 minutes without a point until Barrett made a free throw with 7:55 left.

Barrett made four free throws to open the third, allowing the Raptors to equal their largest lead at 79-67. After Barnes and Harden were separated on a jump ball by the officials, Mitchell had eight points and cut Cleveland’s deficit to 103-100.

Walter scored 17 points and five 3-pointers, and Barnes had 14 points and eight rebounds as Toronto shot 64.4% in leading 74-67 at the half. Harden had 19 points at the break, committing four turnovers in the second alone.

Harden scored 14 points and played the entire first, which saw Toronto jump ahead 22-10 behind eight points from Barnes before the Cavaliers rallied to go in front 38-34. Mitchell drained a 38-footer at the buzzer.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cavs #series #lead #Raptors">Deadspin | Cavs come from behind to take 3-2 series lead vs. Raptors Apr 29, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates his three-point basket beside Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) in the first quarter of game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden finished with 23 points, rallying the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 125-120 victory over the visiting Toronto Raptors in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series Wednesday night. Fourth-seeded Cleveland, which trailed by 12 points on multiple occasions, has won all three of its home games so far. It can eliminate the fifth-seeded Raptors in Game 6 on Friday in Toronto. The Cavaliers used a 27-8 run that began late in the third to seize a 122-111 lead on two Max Strus free throws with 4:19 remaining. Schroder was the catalyst, igniting the sellout crowd with a midrange jumper and 3-pointer midway through the fourth. Evan Mobley had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell scored 19 for Cleveland. Harden also had nine rebounds, five assists and six turnovers in a series-high 39:45 minutes. RJ Barrett paced the Raptors with 25 points and Ja’Kobe Walter scored a career playoff-high 20 points and made 6-of-14 3-point attempts. Jamal Shead added 18 points off the bench and Scottie Barnes had 17 points and 11 assists for Toronto. Raptors small forward Brandon Ingram injured his right heel in the second quarter and did not return, leaving them without two starters as point guard Immanuel Quickley will miss the entire series with a right hamstring strain. Point guards Walter and Shead combined to make 10 3-pointers after going 0-for-17 in the previous two games. Mobley made a 3-pointer and Schroder hit a layup to complete a 13-0 run that gave the Cavaliers a 108-103 advantage early in the fourth. Toronto missed 10 shots and went 4 1/2 minutes without a point until Barrett made a free throw with 7:55 left. Barrett made four free throws to open the third, allowing the Raptors to equal their largest lead at 79-67. After Barnes and Harden were separated on a jump ball by the officials, Mitchell had eight points and cut Cleveland’s deficit to 103-100. Walter scored 17 points and five 3-pointers, and Barnes had 14 points and eight rebounds as Toronto shot 64.4% in leading 74-67 at the half. Harden had 19 points at the break, committing four turnovers in the second alone. Harden scored 14 points and played the entire first, which saw Toronto jump ahead 22-10 behind eight points from Barnes before the Cavaliers rallied to go in front 38-34. Mitchell drained a 38-footer at the buzzer. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Cavs #series #lead #Raptors

Deadspin | Diamondbacks dig out of small hole, overpower Brewers Apr 29, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fifth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images Nolan Arenado had a three-run homer and Ildemaro Vargas extended his season-opening hitting streak to 22 games as the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks evened the series with a 6-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. Arizona erased a 2-0 deficit with four runs in the fourth off starter Brandon Sproat (0-2) on a solo homer by Adrian Del Castillo and Arenado’s three-run shot. The Diamondbacks added two in the ninth on back-to-back solo homers by Ketel Marte, his fifth, and Corbin Carroll, his fourth. Del Castillo put Arizona on the board with one out in the fourth with his second homer of the season. Vargas and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. followed with consecutive singles. Arenado then sent an 0-1 pitch 411 feet to left-center for his fifth homer. The Brewers loaded the bases in the bottom half on a double by Luis Rengifo and consecutive two-out walks, but Eduardo Rodriguez got Brice Turang on an inning-ending bouncer to first. Rodriguez allowed two runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings. Kevin Ginkel (1-1) got the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Juan Morillo, Taylor Clarke and Paul Sewald finished with a scoreless inning apiece. The Brewers took a 1-0 lead in the first on doubles by Turang and Jake Bauers. Milwaukee made it 2-0 in the third when Brandon Lockridge beat out a bunt single to open and Turang followed with an RBI double to left-center. Vargas also singled with one out in the second to extend his club-record season-opening hitting streak to 22 games and overall streak to 25 games, dating back to last season. Vargas streak ties him with Joe Torre (Cardinals, 1971) for the third-longest season-opening streak in the majors since 1940. Ron LeFlore had 30 consecutive games with Detroit in 1976, and Atlanta’s Edgar Renteria opened with 23 straight in 2006. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Diamondbacks #dig #small #hole #overpower #BrewersApr 29, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fifth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Nolan Arenado had a three-run homer and Ildemaro Vargas extended his season-opening hitting streak to 22 games as the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks evened the series with a 6-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday.

Arizona erased a 2-0 deficit with four runs in the fourth off starter Brandon Sproat (0-2) on a solo homer by Adrian Del Castillo and Arenado’s three-run shot.

The Diamondbacks added two in the ninth on back-to-back solo homers by Ketel Marte, his fifth, and Corbin Carroll, his fourth.

Del Castillo put Arizona on the board with one out in the fourth with his second homer of the season. Vargas and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. followed with consecutive singles. Arenado then sent an 0-1 pitch 411 feet to left-center for his fifth homer.

The Brewers loaded the bases in the bottom half on a double by Luis Rengifo and consecutive two-out walks, but Eduardo Rodriguez got Brice Turang on an inning-ending bouncer to first.


Rodriguez allowed two runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings. Kevin Ginkel (1-1) got the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Juan Morillo, Taylor Clarke and Paul Sewald finished with a scoreless inning apiece.

The Brewers took a 1-0 lead in the first on doubles by Turang and Jake Bauers.

Milwaukee made it 2-0 in the third when Brandon Lockridge beat out a bunt single to open and Turang followed with an RBI double to left-center.

Vargas also singled with one out in the second to extend his club-record season-opening hitting streak to 22 games and overall streak to 25 games, dating back to last season.

Vargas streak ties him with Joe Torre (Cardinals, 1971) for the third-longest season-opening streak in the majors since 1940. Ron LeFlore had 30 consecutive games with Detroit in 1976, and Atlanta’s Edgar Renteria opened with 23 straight in 2006.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Diamondbacks #dig #small #hole #overpower #Brewers">Deadspin | Diamondbacks dig out of small hole, overpower Brewers Apr 29, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fifth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images Nolan Arenado had a three-run homer and Ildemaro Vargas extended his season-opening hitting streak to 22 games as the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks evened the series with a 6-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. Arizona erased a 2-0 deficit with four runs in the fourth off starter Brandon Sproat (0-2) on a solo homer by Adrian Del Castillo and Arenado’s three-run shot. The Diamondbacks added two in the ninth on back-to-back solo homers by Ketel Marte, his fifth, and Corbin Carroll, his fourth. Del Castillo put Arizona on the board with one out in the fourth with his second homer of the season. Vargas and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. followed with consecutive singles. Arenado then sent an 0-1 pitch 411 feet to left-center for his fifth homer. The Brewers loaded the bases in the bottom half on a double by Luis Rengifo and consecutive two-out walks, but Eduardo Rodriguez got Brice Turang on an inning-ending bouncer to first. Rodriguez allowed two runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings. Kevin Ginkel (1-1) got the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Juan Morillo, Taylor Clarke and Paul Sewald finished with a scoreless inning apiece. The Brewers took a 1-0 lead in the first on doubles by Turang and Jake Bauers. Milwaukee made it 2-0 in the third when Brandon Lockridge beat out a bunt single to open and Turang followed with an RBI double to left-center. Vargas also singled with one out in the second to extend his club-record season-opening hitting streak to 22 games and overall streak to 25 games, dating back to last season. Vargas streak ties him with Joe Torre (Cardinals, 1971) for the third-longest season-opening streak in the majors since 1940. Ron LeFlore had 30 consecutive games with Detroit in 1976, and Atlanta’s Edgar Renteria opened with 23 straight in 2006. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Diamondbacks #dig #small #hole #overpower #Brewers

Deadspin | Andre Pallante fires 6 strong innings as Cardinals edge Pirates Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Andre Pallante allowed a run and five hits over six innings, Alec Burleson homered and the St. Louis Cardinals held on for a 5-4 win over the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night. Pallante (3-2) did not walk a batter and fanned six. Ivan Herrera went 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI for the Cardinals, who have won the first three games of the four-game series. Spencer Horwitz homered for the Pirates, who lost their fourth straight. St. Louis right-hander Riley O’Brien pitched the ninth for his eighth save with a big assist from left fielder Nathan Church, who leaped at the wall to snare Nick Gonzales’ long drive with a runner on for the final out. Oneil Cruz’s bases-loaded fielder’s choice in the eighth cut Pittsburgh’s deficit to 5-4. Pinch hitter Nick Yorke’s two-run single with the bases loaded in the seventh pulled the Pirates within 5-3. Pittsburgh loaded the bases again in the inning, but JoJo Romero struck out Ryan O’Hearn and got Marcell Ozuna on a groundout. Pirates starter Bubba Chandler (1-3) gave up three runs on three hits in five innings with four walks and six strikeouts. Four of the strikeouts came in the first two innings. J.J. Wetherholt’s run-scoring double in the third gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. It was St. Louis’ first hit, and it scored Ramon Urias, who had walked and moved to second on a flyout. A two-out, two-run homer by Burleson in the fifth stretched the Cardinals’ lead to 3-0. He drove Chandler’s 1-1 slider to the opposite field in left-center an estimated 411 feet for his fourth home run. It also brought home Herrera, who had doubled. Pittsburgh finally got to Pallante in the bottom of the fifth when Horwitz led off with his third homer. He took a 1-0 slider over the fence in center, an estimated 397 feet away. The Cardinals added two in the seventh on RBI singles by Herrera and Jordan Walker to make it 5-1. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Andre #Pallante #fires #strong #innings #Cardinals #edge #PiratesApr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Andre Pallante allowed a run and five hits over six innings, Alec Burleson homered and the St. Louis Cardinals held on for a 5-4 win over the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.

Pallante (3-2) did not walk a batter and fanned six.

Ivan Herrera went 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI for the Cardinals, who have won the first three games of the four-game series.

Spencer Horwitz homered for the Pirates, who lost their fourth straight.

St. Louis right-hander Riley O’Brien pitched the ninth for his eighth save with a big assist from left fielder Nathan Church, who leaped at the wall to snare Nick Gonzales’ long drive with a runner on for the final out.

Oneil Cruz’s bases-loaded fielder’s choice in the eighth cut Pittsburgh’s deficit to 5-4.


Pinch hitter Nick Yorke’s two-run single with the bases loaded in the seventh pulled the Pirates within 5-3. Pittsburgh loaded the bases again in the inning, but JoJo Romero struck out Ryan O’Hearn and got Marcell Ozuna on a groundout.

Pirates starter Bubba Chandler (1-3) gave up three runs on three hits in five innings with four walks and six strikeouts. Four of the strikeouts came in the first two innings.

J.J. Wetherholt’s run-scoring double in the third gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. It was St. Louis’ first hit, and it scored Ramon Urias, who had walked and moved to second on a flyout.

A two-out, two-run homer by Burleson in the fifth stretched the Cardinals’ lead to 3-0. He drove Chandler’s 1-1 slider to the opposite field in left-center an estimated 411 feet for his fourth home run. It also brought home Herrera, who had doubled.

Pittsburgh finally got to Pallante in the bottom of the fifth when Horwitz led off with his third homer. He took a 1-0 slider over the fence in center, an estimated 397 feet away.

The Cardinals added two in the seventh on RBI singles by Herrera and Jordan Walker to make it 5-1.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Andre #Pallante #fires #strong #innings #Cardinals #edge #Pirates">Deadspin | Andre Pallante fires 6 strong innings as Cardinals edge Pirates Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Andre Pallante allowed a run and five hits over six innings, Alec Burleson homered and the St. Louis Cardinals held on for a 5-4 win over the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night. Pallante (3-2) did not walk a batter and fanned six. Ivan Herrera went 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI for the Cardinals, who have won the first three games of the four-game series. Spencer Horwitz homered for the Pirates, who lost their fourth straight. St. Louis right-hander Riley O’Brien pitched the ninth for his eighth save with a big assist from left fielder Nathan Church, who leaped at the wall to snare Nick Gonzales’ long drive with a runner on for the final out. Oneil Cruz’s bases-loaded fielder’s choice in the eighth cut Pittsburgh’s deficit to 5-4. Pinch hitter Nick Yorke’s two-run single with the bases loaded in the seventh pulled the Pirates within 5-3. Pittsburgh loaded the bases again in the inning, but JoJo Romero struck out Ryan O’Hearn and got Marcell Ozuna on a groundout. Pirates starter Bubba Chandler (1-3) gave up three runs on three hits in five innings with four walks and six strikeouts. Four of the strikeouts came in the first two innings. J.J. Wetherholt’s run-scoring double in the third gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. It was St. Louis’ first hit, and it scored Ramon Urias, who had walked and moved to second on a flyout. A two-out, two-run homer by Burleson in the fifth stretched the Cardinals’ lead to 3-0. He drove Chandler’s 1-1 slider to the opposite field in left-center an estimated 411 feet for his fourth home run. It also brought home Herrera, who had doubled. Pittsburgh finally got to Pallante in the bottom of the fifth when Horwitz led off with his third homer. He took a 1-0 slider over the fence in center, an estimated 397 feet away. The Cardinals added two in the seventh on RBI singles by Herrera and Jordan Walker to make it 5-1. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Andre #Pallante #fires #strong #innings #Cardinals #edge #Pirates

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