The Pittsburgh Pirates completed a one-run comeback to defeat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at PNC Park. Rafael Flores Jr. was the offensive catalyst, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI, while Oneil Cruz added a solo shot of his own. Mason Montgomery locked the door in the ninth to earn the save, sending Pittsburgh home with a hard-fought regular season win that required every bit of nine innings to secure.

Rafael Flores Jr. and Oneil Cruz Provide the Firepower

Flores Jr. was the story at the plate. The young catcher went 2-for-3, his homer accounting for two of Pittsburgh's four runs. It was the kind of performance that carries a lineup when the game is on the line. Cruz complemented him perfectly, going 1-for-4 with a solo home run and one RBI. Between the two of them, they combined for three of the Pirates' four runs batted in.

Kansas City countered with contributions from Vinnie Pasquantino, who homered and drove in two runs on just one at-bat, and veterans Salvador Perez and Jac Caglianone each going 2-for-their respective appearances. The Royals had chances, but Pittsburgh's bullpen ultimately proved sturdier when it counted most.

Pittsburgh's Bullpen Navigates a Complicated Night

The pitching story was layered. Carmen Mlodzinski started and gave the Pirates three innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits with a walk and one strikeout. He earned the win, but it wasn't clean work. Yohan Ramírez was the bullpen standout, spinning two scoreless innings with four strikeouts and allowing just one hit — the kind of outing that changes the complexion of a close game. Wilber Dotel added two more scoreless innings, giving up one hit and striking out one.

Lake Bachar had a rougher go, allowing one earned run on three hits in a single inning. Kansas City's Nate Pearson absorbed the loss after surrendering two earned runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning, the damage coming at the worst possible time as Pittsburgh rallied.

Michael Wacha started for Kansas City and was solid enough through 5.2 innings — five strikeouts, two earned runs, four hits, and four walks — but the Royals' bullpen couldn't hold what he built.

Turning Point: Pittsburgh's Late Rally Breaks Kansas City

This game turned in the late innings. Pittsburgh trailed by one run and needed to manufacture something against a Kansas City bullpen that had come in to protect the lead. The Pirates strung together three hits off Nate Pearson to plate two runs, flipping a deficit into a lead. It was the kind of situational hitting that decides games this deep into a regular season, and Pittsburgh delivered.

Montgomery came on to close it out in the ninth, allowing one hit and striking out one to secure the 4-3 final and earn his save.

Key Performances at a Glance

  • Rafael Flores Jr. (PIT): 2-for-3, 1 HR, 2 RBI
  • Oneil Cruz (PIT): 1-for-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI
  • Yohan Ramírez (PIT): 2.0 IP, 4 K, 0 ER, 1 H
  • Wilber Dotel (PIT): 2.0 IP, 1 K, 0 ER, 1 H
  • Mason Montgomery (PIT): 1.0 IP, 1 K, 0 ER, Save
  • Vinnie Pasquantino (KC): 1-for-1, 1 HR, 2 RBI
  • Salvador Perez (KC): 2-for-4, 1 RBI
  • Jac Caglianone (KC): 2-for-3

What's Next for the Pirates

Pittsburgh takes a 4-3 win into the next leg of their regular season schedule. The performance on Sunday showed both what this team is capable of — Flores Jr. and Cruz providing legitimate power from within the lineup, the middle relievers keeping the game winnable — and where the margins are thin. One-run games require near-perfect execution from the bullpen, and Sunday's group delivered just enough. The Pirates will need more of the same as the 2026 regular season continues.