Valdez, Triolo and Rodriguez homer for Pirates in 11-7 win over Phillies

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Esmerlyn Valdez and Jared Triolo both hit home runs to help the Pittsburgh Pirates escape an early five-run deficit, and Endy Rodriguez closed the deal with a three-run homer in the ninth for an 11-7 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night.

The Pirates posted a six-run fifth inning against struggling starter Aaron Nola (3-5).

The Phillies fought back with two runs in the eighth to cut the lead to one run, but Rodriquez homered on a two-out pitch off reliever Chase Shugart in the ninth. Mason Montgomery closed for the Pirates.

The Phillies jumped on starter Braxton Ashcraft for five runs. Trea Turner and Brandon Marsh each homered in the first inning, and Bryce Harper hit his 20th of the season in the third inning.

But Nola gave up two home runs in 4 1/3 innings, moving into a tie for fifth-worst in the majors at 19 homers allowed. After easing through the first three innings, Bryan Reynolds hit a double off the top of the left field fence and Valdez bombed one to left to cut the Phillies’ lead to 5-2.

In the fifth, Nola allowed a leadoff home run to Triolo, his first of the season. Nola left with the game tied at 5.

Reliever Seth Johnson then gave up an RBI single to Tyler Callihan, and a Turner error helped boost the Pirates’ lead to 8-5. Ashcraft (8-3) settled down and went six innings for the win.

The Phillies scored twice in the eighth, as Marsh hit his second homer of the game and J.T. Realmuto singled home Bryson Stott. But with two on and two outs, Pirates reliever Yohan Ramirez struck out Justin Crawford.

The Pirates will send RHP Bubba Chandler (3-7, 4.42 ERA) to the mound Tuesday night against Phillies ace LHP Cristopher Sanchez (9-3, 2.13 ERA).

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Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Shugart pitches during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday, June 29, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Endy Rodríguez follows through after hitting a three-run home run against Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Shugart during the ninth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 29, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Ryan O'Hearn reacts after hitting a run-scoring single against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 29, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Endy Rodríguez reacts after hitting a three-run home run against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Chase Shugart during the ninth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 29, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

TORONTO (AP) — The first half of the season has been a messy one for the last-place New York Mets.

Now, even the routine plays aren't routine.

Toronto designated hitter George Springer rounded the bases on a Little League home run against the Mets on Monday night when New York star left fielder Juan Soto misplayed a sinking line drive and center fielder A.J. Ewing flubbed the throw backing up the play.

Springer led off the bottom of the first by looping a ball to left against Mets pitcher Sean Manaea. The ball bounced in front of Soto, and the highest-paid player in Mets history fanned while reaching for it.

“It just took a weird hop on me and bounced a little different,” Soto said. “I thought I had a chance and then it just kept dying. I definitely took a good first step but the ball kept just dying.”

The ball rolled all the way to the wall as the 36-year-old Springer chugged around the bases.

Ewing came over to field it behind Soto, only to have the ball slip out of his glove as he tried to pick it up. The ball rolled back to the fence for a second time. Soto picked it up, but by the time he had it in his hand, Springer had rounded third and was heading for home.

Interim Mets manager Andy Green said Soto played Springer's ball aggressively but was beaten by a turf bounce.

“I think every single time I’ve come to Toronto I’ve seen that particular play,” Green said. “Not necessarily the finish of that play. I know A.J. usually makes the transfer fine, but that play happens frequently here and it got us in the first."

Springer was given a triple, his first of the year, with a one-base error. The error was Ewing's second of the season. Shortstop Francisco Lindor made an error later in the game, boosting New York's total to 56 on the season, third-most in the majors behind the Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer, right, celebrates with teammate Nathan Lukes (38) as he comes in to score after hitting a triple on an in-field home run after a fielding error by New York Mets' A.J. Ewing during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Monday, June 29, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer runs home after hitting a triple on an in-field home run after a fielding error by New York Mets' A.J. Ewing during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Monday, June 29, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)