Diamondbacks Acquire Nolan Arenado

January 14, 2026 4:32 am

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have acquired eight-time All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado from St. Louis for minor league pitcher Jack Martinez. The Cardinals are also including $31 million in the trade. A 10-time Gold Glove winner, Arenado has played for the Cardinals the past five seasons and was shopped extensively after the 2024 season by a rebuilding team. The 34-year-old isn’t the offensive force he used to be but will still provide a veteran presence at the position after the D-backs traded slugger Eugenio Suárez at last season’s trade deadline. Arenado batted. .237 with 12 homers and 52 RBIs last season.

Texans Roll Over Steelers

January 13, 2026 4:24 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Houston Texans have secured their first road playoff win in franchise history, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6. The Texans held Pittsburgh to 175 yards of offense and scored a pair of defensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Houston stretched its winning streak to 10 games and advances to play New England in the division round. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud endured a shaky night, turning it over three times, though he did throw a touchdown pass to Christian Kirk. Aaron Rodgers passed for 146 yards and threw a pick-6 on what could be the final throw of his 21-year career.

Basketball at Mid-Point; Wrestling Teams Near End

January 12, 2026 2:08 am

Most area high school basketball teams have one game remaining in the first half of their seasons with another complete trip through section ahead. Girls teams have a full schedule on Monday’s slate with Peters Township girls wrapping up Tuesday as part of their girls/boys doubleheader at Bethel Park.  Boys teams’ first trip through section games is slated to end tomorrow night. There’s no real break as teams return to section play on Thursday/Friday.

Wrestling squads are nearing the end of their dual meet campaigns, at least the matches that count toward WPIAL/PIAA Team Tournament qualifying. The top two teams in each section will qualify for the WPIAL Team Tournaments along with two wild cards in each classification. The WPIAL Team Tournament brackets will be announced on Thursday, Jan. 22, the day after the final matches.

Here’s a look at Monday’s girls action and what it means:
6A Section 2 Canon-McMillan (4-1) maintained a share of the lead with Norwin, beating Connellsville, 55-22.

5A Section 2 Trinity (4-2) won at Uniontown, 52-40, keeping the Hillers a game ahead of Peters Township (2-3)  and Bethel Park. Those two play Tuesday with the winner taking over sole possession of fourth place.

4A Section 3 Ringgold (3-4) won at home against Mt. Pleasant, 33-29, pulling the Rams into a three-way tie for fourth place with the Vikings and Laurel Highlands.

3A Section 3 McGuffey (4-2) lost at Seton-La Salle, 56-48. Coupled with Waynesburg’s 62-28 home win over Charleroi (1-5), the Highlanders are in a three-way tie for second place with the Raiders and Keystone Oaks. KO topped Wash High (2-4), 41-36, pushing the Little Prexies two games back of the playoff pack.

2A Section 2 Fort Cherry (5-0) sits alone atop the section after a 60-15 win at South Side (3-2). Burgettstown (4-1), moves into second place with a 40-17 home win against Carlynton (0-5).

2A Section 3 Chartiers-Houston (6-0)  leads the section after its 60-24 home win against Bentworth (2-3). The Bearcats dropped into fourth place with the loss. California (4-1) took over sole possession of second place with a 38-29 win at Beth-Center (3-2). Jeff-Morgan (1-4) picked up its first win of the season, beating winless Carmichaels, 33-17.

1A Section 2 West Greene (5-2) and Avella (1-6) have both completed their first trips through the league. West Greene is solidly in third place, two games back of the first place Geibel Catholic,  one game better than Bishop Canevin (4-3) a 47-23 winner at Mapletown (0-7).  Avella sits two games back of the final playoff spot in the 8-team section.

Pens Sign Blake Lizotte To 3-Year Contract Extension

January 13, 2026 2:14 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Blake Lizotte is now part of the Penguins’ long-term plan. The Penguins have signed the veteran forward to a three-year contract extension. The deal carries an average annual value of $2.25 million. The 28-year-old Lizotte has been a standout on one of the NHL’s most surprising teams, scoring five goals to go with five assists in 35 games this season. Pittsburgh began the year with modest expectations but is now in the playoff mix. The Penguins have thrived with Lizotte in the lineup, boasting a 20-9-6 record when he plays.

Dave Giusti Dies At 86

January 13, 2026 2:58 am

Former Pirates pitcher Dave Giusti has died.  He died late Sunday night at the age of 86. He was a World Series champion and pitched for the Pirates from 1970-76 saving at least 20 games in four consecutive seasons from 1970-73. Giusti finished fourth in National League Cy Young Award voting in 1970, his first season pitching out of the bullpen. The right-hander made 66 appearances and had a 3.06 ERA in 103 innings, saving 26 games while walking 39 and striking out 85. Individually, his best season came in 1973, when he went 9-2 with a 2.37.

Penguins Shutout In Boston

January 12, 2026 4:25 am

BOSTON (AP) — Joonas Korpisalo made 27 saves for his first shutout of the season and the eighth of his career, Viktor Arvidsson scored and the Boston Bruins beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 1-0 on Sunday. The Bruins won for the fifth time in six games despite going 0 for 6 on the power play a day after beating the Rangers 10-2. It was Boston’s first shutout this season. Coming off a loss at home against Calgary on Saturday that halted their season-high six game winning streak, the Penguins were shut out for the fourth time this season. Stuart Skinner stopped 17 shots.

Patriots Dominate Chargers, Await Steelers/Texans Winner

January 12, 2026 4:27 am

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Drake Maye threw a touchdown pass to Hunter Henry in the fourth quarter, and New England’s defense roughed up Justin Herbert as the Patriots beat the Los Angeles Chargers 16-3 in an AFC wild-card playoff game. Andy Borregales kicked three field goals for the Patriots, who won a playoff game for the first time since their Super Bowl victory to cap the 2018 season. They’ll host the winner of Monday night’s game between Pittsburgh and Houston in the divisional round. New England held the Chargers to 207 yards of offense and sacked Herbert six times.

49ers Eliminate Eagles

January 12, 2026 4:24 am

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Brock Purdy threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey, leading San Francisco to a 23-19 victory over defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia in a wild-card game. The 49ers next face top-seeded Seattle next weekend for an NFC divisional playoff game. Purdy threw for 262 yards and had two interceptions. The 49ers might be without star tight end George Kittle, who was injured in the first half. Philadelphia struggled offensively, with Jalen Hurts throwing for only 168 yards. The Eagles’ final drive ended with an incomplete pass, sealing their elimination from the playoffs.

Josh Allen Leads Bills Past Jacksonville

January 12, 2026 4:27 am

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Josh Allen took a pounding, doled out punishment and delivered Buffalo its first road playoff victory in more than three decades, 27-24 over Jacksonville. Allen found Brandin Cooks for 36 yards just before the two-minute warning and then capped the go-ahead drive with a 1-yard touchdown run in which Jacksonville let him score. On the play before his score, Allen gained 10 yards on a sneak, refusing to go down while being pushed and pulled to the goal line. Allen completed 28 of 35 passes for 273 yards and two rushing touchdowns. He was sacked just once and played turnover-free football.

Matt Coronato’s 3rd-period Goal Lifts Flames Over Penguins

January 11, 2026 6:16 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Matt Coronato scored in the third period to lift the Calgary Flames over the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 on Saturday. Connor Zary also scored for the Flames, who won for the first time in 2026 and snapped a four-game losing streak. Calgary was limited to one goal in each of its previous three losses. Devin Cooley stopped 27 shots in his first start since Dec. 20. Egor Chinakhov scored for the Penguins, who saw a season-high six-game winning streak end. Pittsburgh had won seven of eight before Saturday’s loss. Arturs Silovs made 23 saves.