toughness on both ends of the floor.dddddddddddd. We are excited about her potential here in Phoenix.The Mercury will try to achieve its first three-game winning streak after winning its last two

PITTSBURGH -- Music was blaring in the Pittsburgh Pirates clubhouse late Wednesday night.Thats not all that unusual, but it seemed just a little louder than normal, and the players seemed more upbeat.Thats because they not only avoided a sweep by St. Louis, but also ended an eight-game losing streak with a 4-3 victory against the Cardinals.That will allow the Pirates to go into a four-game home series against the Cincinnati Reds starting Thursday without that skid hanging over them.Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle preaches the day-at-a-time approach as much as anyone, but seemed as relieved as anyone.Absolutely, he said, smiling. You play to win. You want to play well, and you have a process we follow (but) winnings better than losing. Ive figured that much out.Hurdle is one win shy of becoming the sixth Pirates manager in history to reach 500 wins with the club.For the first time in several days, the Pirates are in a better spot then their opponent. Pittsburgh (68-69) can get back to .500 with a strong weekend and still has a shot at the postseason, trailing St. Louis -- which holds the second wild-card spot -- by 4 1/2 games.Cincinnati has lost four in a row and eight of 10 and is playing out the season.The Reds on Wednesday lost at home 6-3 to New York, giving the Mets a three-game sweep. Cincinnati is 57-81 but has played Pittsburgh close. The Pirates hold a 6-5 edge in 11 meetings and outscored the Reds by only 40-39.Cincinnati made three outs on the bases early and missed a lot of opportunities Wednesday against the Mets. Manager Bryan Price describes that as atypical, even for his underachieving club.In fact, Price guaranteed better performances at PNC Park.When youre (this) far under .500, to have regular games like this as a regular part of what were doing would make it a way more challenging season than it already is, Price told MLB.com. Guys, for the most part, have really played hard and played relatively to their ability and sometimes beyond. (Wednesday) will be something we dont see for a long time. Im confident in that. This isnt our typical game by any means. We will certainly play better in Pittsburgh.The Reds had runners on base in every inning Wednesday but stranded 12, going 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position.Its a tough series, but hopefully we get back on track against Pittsburgh and try to finish the season strong, Anthony DeSclafani, who took the loss Wednesday, told MLB.com.Right-hander Dan Straily (11-7, 3.83 ERA) is scheduled to start Thursday for Cincinnati. Hes already made a career-high 29 appearances and makes his career-high 28th start. He is 2-1 with a 3.23 ERA in seven appearances (four starts) against Pittsburgh.The Pirates counter with right-hander Ivan Nova (11-6, 4.34).Nova is 4-0 with a 2.89 ERA in his first six starts since Pittsburgh acquired him from the Yankees on Aug. 1. He allowed two runs in six innings in a no-decision Saturday against Milwaukee in his last start. O. J. Simpson Bills Jersey . Zvonareva, who won the tournament in 2009 and 10, couldnt handle her opponents big groundstrokes in only her third event back after 17 months out with a shoulder injury. Zvonareva made her comeback in January in Shenzhen and played in the Australian Open but lost her first matches at both tournaments. Jim Kelly Jersey . "I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great organization and unbelievable teammates," said Hejduk in a statement. http://www.shoptheofficialbills.com/Elite-Bruce-Smith-Bills-Jersey/ .Y. - Jerome Samson scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the St. Josh Allen Womens Jersey . The Celtics closed out their first preseason under Stevens on Wednesday night with a 101-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, who rested a lot of their lineup including former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Andre Reed Womens Jersey . -- Derrick Rose shook off poor shooting early to hit clutch shots late and Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 104-95 preseason victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. Kelsey Bone will face her former team for the first time just days after she was traded when the Phoenix Mercury plays host to the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix.Phoenix (6-9) acquired the WNBA All-Star on Saturday. In exchange, Connecticut (3-12) received rookie Courtney Williams, the rights to 2016 second-round pick Jillian Alleyne and San Antonios 2017 second-round draft pick that was acquired by Phoenix earlier this season.Bone, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound forward/center, averaged 15.4 points and 6.3 rebounds for Connecticut last season. She garnered her first All-Star selection and was named the WNBAs Most Improved Player. She joins a front line that already includes Brittney Griner, Candice Dupree and Penny Taylor.In-season trades rarely net you an All-Star like Kelsey Bone, Mercury general manager Jim Pitman said. Even though she is in just her fourth year, Kelsey is an established talent in our league and we think this deal makes us a better team today and in the future.She competes, she rebounds, has great size, and plays with great sstrength and toughness on both ends of the floor.dddddddddddd. We are excited about her potential here in Phoenix.The Mercury will try to achieve its first three-game winning streak after winning its last two games to improve to fourth in the Western Conference. The Mercury beat the Washington Mystics 91-79 on Friday and upset the New York Liberty, the top team in the Eastern Conference, 104-97 in overtime on Sunday.Dupree had 26 points and eight rebounds against New York. Diana Taurasi, who was named Western Conference Player of the Week on Monday, had 24 points. Bone scored six points in eight minutes off the bench in her Phoenix debut.Connecticut has lost two in a row and five of its last six. The Sun, who are in the midst of a four-game trip, are coming off an 80-73 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. Chiney Ogwumike had 16 points and eight rebounds, Jasmine Thomas scored 14 points, and Alyssa Thomas had 11 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. ' ' '