National Sports

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Backup catcher Michael Perez had three home runs, rookies Oneil Cruz and Jack Suwinski hit back-to-back shots and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-7 on Thursday night.

TORONTO — Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo made sure to keep Yusei Kikuchi feeling confident as he endured a tough stretch of starts over the last month.

HARRISON, N.J. (AP) — Serge Ngoma scored in the 89th minute to help the New York Red Bulls beat Atlanta United 2-1 on Thursday night. Ngoma's goal came six minutes after teammate Lewis Morgan scored on a penalty kick to tie it.

NORTH PLAINS, Ore. (AP) — The Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf tour's second event teed off Thursday, angering a group of families who lost loved ones on Sept. 11 and want the Saudi government held to account for the terrorist attacks.

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston’s Kyle Tucker was thrown out Thursday night when he tried to steal home while New York Yankees starter Luis Severino tinkered with his malfunctioning PitchCom device .

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The former agent of Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman says the Braves are presenting a “false narrative” about the first baseman's parting with Atlanta in March.

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros wrapped up a stretch of nine straight games against New York teams Thursday night with another win over the New York Yankees. Alex Bregman hit a two-run double early and the Astros held on for the 2-1 victory.

Kevin Durant may be taking his quest for more titles elsewhere.

NEW YORK (AP) — Tiffany Hayes, playing in her first game of the season, scored nine of her 21 points in overtime to lift the Atlanta Dream to a 92-81 victory over the New York Liberty on Thursday night.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kyle Schwarber finished off the month with another June homer, Darick Hall went deep twice and the Philadelphia Phillies avoided a three-game sweep with a 14-4 rout of the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night.