TORONTO (AP) — Esmerlyn Valdez homered for his first career hit, Spencer Horwitz and Oneil Cruz also connected and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1 on Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep.
Valdez was promoted from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday and had gone 0 for 7 before hitting a two-run homer off Chase Lee in the sixth inning.
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Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez (55) can't make the catch on Toronto Blue Jays Kazuma Okamoto double during the second inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) scores on a Ernie Clement single during fourth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Toronto on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Frank Gunn /The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Dylan Cease reacts after giving up the second solo home run of the game during the second inning of an baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Toronto on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller (23) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Frank Gunn /The Canadian Press via AP)
Pittsburgh Pirates Oneil Cruz (15) celebrates his home run with teammate Endy Rodríguez (13) during the econd inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Pirates reliever Dennis Santana brokered a trade with a young fan for the ball, handing over a bat signed by Valdez and a Pirates cap in exchange for Valdez’s keepsake.
Blue Jays starter Dylan Cease exited after 4 2/3 innings because of a sore left hamstring.
Cease (3-3) allowed two runs and four hits before departing. He walked one and struck out eight.
Toronto slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. left in the bottom of the fifth after being hit on the inside of his right elbow by a pitch from Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller. Lenyn Sosa came in to run for Guerrero and took over at first base.
The Blue Jays said an X-ray of Guerrero’s elbow did not reveal a fracture.
Keller (5-2) allowed one run and four hits in six innings. He walked three and struck out five.
Gregory Soto finished in the ninth for his fifth save in seven chances, striking out Daulton Varsho for the final out and stranding two runners.
Horwitz homered on Cease’s first pitch of the game, his fifth of the season. Cruz hit a leadoff blast in the second, his 11th of the year.
Infielder Ernie Clement drove in Toronto's only run with an RBI single in the fourth.
Pirates: RHP Carmen Mlodzinski (4-3, 3.96 ERA) is scheduled to start against the Cubs on Monday. Chicago had not announced a starter.
Blue Jays: RHP Trey Yesavage (2-1, 1.07 ERA) is scheduled to start Monday against Miami RHP Janson Junk (2-5, 5.07).
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez (55) can't make the catch on Toronto Blue Jays Kazuma Okamoto double during the second inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) scores on a Ernie Clement single during fourth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Toronto on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Frank Gunn /The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Dylan Cease reacts after giving up the second solo home run of the game during the second inning of an baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Toronto on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller (23) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Frank Gunn /The Canadian Press via AP)
Pittsburgh Pirates Oneil Cruz (15) celebrates his home run with teammate Endy Rodríguez (13) during the econd inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Pep Guardiola fought back tears on the sideline as he brought 10 years at Manchester City to an end on Sunday.
His final game ended in a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa on a day charged with emotion as he said goodbye to the fans he gave so much joy during a decade of dominance in English soccer.
“I never could have imagined the amount of love I've found,” said Guardiola, standing in the center of the field at the Etihad Stadium and addressing the crowd. “It is an incredible, tremendous honor to be your manager, to be here 10 years.”
The tears started long before the final whistle, with Guardiola welling up and rubbing his eyes as two of his most loyal servants, Bernardo Silva and John Stones, also said farewell and were given guards of honor when substituted in the second half.
Then it was his turn to receive a guard of honor of his own.
“This is the man who changed everything,” the stadium announcer said as Guardiola ran onto the field wearing khakis and a cream T-shirt, with fans cheering wildly.
“10 more years," they chanted, prompting Guardiola to shake his head in defiance.
After 17 major trophies and records galore, on Friday he confirmed he could do no more. After turning City into the most dominant Premier League team of its generation and a champion of Europe for the first time, he said the time was right to hand over the reins.
Former Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca, who won the Club World Cup last year, is favorite to take over with an announcement possibly this week.
But that is for another day.
This day was about Guardiola and the chance for supporters to show their appreciation.
“He means everything to me and this club. It’s absolutely brilliant what he’s done for it,” City fan Fred Taylor, 82, told The Associated Press. “I can’t think of another manager that’s done what he’s done in the 10-year period he’s been here.”
Guardiola joined City in the summer of 2016 and has led the Abu Dhabi-owned team to six Premier League titles and a first Champions League crown in 2023.
“That's what we always wanted that ... we’d never done it,” said Taylor. “That was probably the highlight of his tenure.”
Guardiola's trophy haul included a domestic double this season of the English League Cup and the FA Cup. He led City to the treble in 2023, winning the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup — matching Manchester United’s feat from more than 20 years earlier in 1999.
There were other benchmarks. City became the first team to win four straight English leagues and the first to amass 100 points in a single season in 2018. The following year City was the first team to win the domestic treble of the league, FA Cup and League Cup in the same season.
More than just trophies, Guardiola has connected with City fans, telling them Sunday to hug him if they ever see him in the future, saying “I will need it.”
“It’s hard to describe, it’s someone you don’t actually know, but you feel like you do know,” City fan Richard Wilbourn said. "When I heard the news (he was leaving) I got a bit emotional. What he’s done for the club has been absolutely unreal, and it’s something that we’ve never seen in our lifetime.
“Growing up through my mid-20s to mid-30s (he's been) a massive part of my life.”
City has honored Guardiola by naming its newly developed north stand after him. He will also take up a role as global ambassador.
“I’m sad he’s leaving, but I think he’s leaving at the right time,” said Taylor. “He’s done everything and he can’t go any further in this club, but I think he’s done brilliant and I wish him all the best.”
James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Manchester City fans holds a sign thanking the coach Pep Guardiola during his last macth as a manager during a Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Aston Villa in Manchester, England, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola waves ahead of his last match as a manager before a Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Aston Villa in Manchester, England, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Manchester City fans holds a sign thanking the coach Pep Guardiola during his last macth as a manager during a Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Aston Villa in Manchester, England, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola applauds the fans after the last fgame with the club after a Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Aston Villa in Manchester, England, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola hugs Manchester City's Bernardo Silva as he played last match for the team during a Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Aston Villa in Manchester, England, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
