The Latest Breaking News from Jason Delay

PITTSBURGH — A few hours before first pitch, Austin Hedges delivered a softly spoken message that was just audible enough for those in the clubhouse to hear.

DENVER — Austin Hedges and Canaan Smith-Njigba sat at a table, surrounded by teammates while playing an intense game of Connect Four prior to the first game of this series.

PITTSBURGH — Roansy Contreras has a long way to go and a lot of years to succeed before he turns in anything approaching Jose Quintana’s career.

SAN FRANCISCO — For most of Friday night, it seemed, Mike Yastrzemski was doing one of two things: driving runs in, or watching them leave the yard.

PHOENIX — In their first two games in the desert, the Pirates’ offense was dying of thirst, scoring just four runs, three of which came Tuesday in quasi-garbage time of a loss.

PITTSBURGH — And in the 38th inning, the Miami Marlins scored runs — four of them to be specific.

DENVER — As much as a team entering the all-star break 14 games under .500 could need a win, the Pirates needed a win Sunday.

CINCINNATI — At every stop throughout his major league career, Roansy Contreras has been known for his ability to respond. Within an inning or even sometimes at-bats, the 22-year-old is unusually mature when it comes to making adjustments and learning lessons faster than his peers. It’s one of the many…