The Pittsburgh Pirates took care of business in Detroit on Sunday, September 27, 2026, defeating the Tigers 4-2 in nine innings. Konnor Griffin supplied the big blow with a home run and two RBI, Nick Gonzales and Jake Mangum each chipped in multi-hit games, and a Pittsburgh bullpen that held Detroit scoreless over the final three innings closed it out. Lake Bachar earned the win, Mason Montgomery picked up the save, and the Pirates walked out of Comerica Park with a clean two-run victory.
Konnor Griffin Powers Pittsburgh Offense
Griffin was the offensive centerpiece, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. His production gave Pittsburgh cushion it would need as the bullpen sorted itself out in the middle innings. Gonzales was equally locked in at the plate, going 2-for-4 and getting on base consistently. Mangum rounded out a productive Pirates lineup, finishing 2-for-3 with an RBI to provide insurance runs that proved meaningful late.
Pittsburgh Pitching: Rough Middle, Strong Finish
Jared Jones set the tone early, throwing four dominant innings — five strikeouts, one hit, zero walks, zero earned runs. That's the kind of start that gives a bullpen a fighting chance. But the middle innings got complicated. Antwone Kelly came on and allowed both Detroit runs over 2.1 innings, surrendering two hits and two earned runs before Pittsburgh turned to Lake Bachar.
Bachar was the difference-maker. He threw 1.2 scoreless innings, struck out four batters, and allowed nothing — not a hit, not a walk. That stretch stopped Detroit's momentum cold and earned him the win. Mason Montgomery then handled the ninth inning with authority, striking out two in a perfect frame to nail down the save.
Tigers Offense Falls Short Despite Two Home Runs
Detroit did not go quietly. Kevin McGonigle went 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI, and Eduardo Valencia added a solo shot of his own, going 1-for-4. Both runs came off Kelly, meaning Pittsburgh's pitching staff held the Tigers scoreless in every other inning of the ball game. River Ryan took the loss for Detroit after allowing two earned runs on three hits in just 1.1 innings, and Beau Brieske surrendered two more over 2.2 innings before Jack Flaherty and Ty Madden combined for five scoreless innings out of the Tigers' pen — but the damage was already done.
Turning Point: Bachar Shuts the Door
The game's pivot came when Bachar entered with Detroit threatening. Four strikeouts across 1.2 hitless, walkless innings didn't just preserve the Pittsburgh lead — it deflated any realistic Tigers comeback. Once Montgomery took over in the ninth, the outcome was settled.
By the Numbers
- Konnor Griffin: 2-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI
- Nick Gonzales: 2-for-4
- Jake Mangum: 2-for-3, 1 RBI
- Jared Jones: 4.0 IP, 5 K, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB
- Lake Bachar (W): 1.2 IP, 4 K, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB
- Mason Montgomery (SV): 1.0 IP, 2 K, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB
- River Ryan (L): 1.1 IP, 3 K, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB
What's Next for the Pirates
Pittsburgh heads into the final stretch of the 2026 regular season with this road win in hand. The Pirates wrap up their schedule over the coming days, and performances like Sunday's — steady starting pitching, timely hitting from Griffin and Mangum, and a lights-out backend — represent exactly what this team needs to finish strong.
