Rafael Flores Jr. delivered a walk-off home run — his second of the game — as the Pittsburgh Pirates overcame a two-run deficit to beat the Detroit Tigers 4-3 at PNC Park on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. Flores Jr. went 2-for-2 with two home runs and two RBI, single-handedly providing the margin of victory in a nine-inning thriller that saw Pittsburgh claw back from down two runs. The win snapped what had looked like a difficult evening for the Bucs and handed veteran closer Kenley Jansen the loss after he surrendered two earned runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning.

Pittsburgh Pirates 4, Detroit Tigers 3: Final Score and Box Score Highlights

Key Pirates Performances

  • Rafael Flores Jr.: 2-for-2, 2 HR, 2 RBI — including the walk-off
  • Brandon Lowe: 1-for-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI
  • Nick Gonzales: 2-for-3, no extra-base hits
  • Mason Montgomery (W): 1.0 IP, 2 K, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB

Key Tigers Performances

  • Max Clark: 2-for-4 at the plate for Detroit
  • Jackson Jobe: 5.1 IP, 3 K, 1 ER, 4 H, 3 BB
  • Kenley Jansen (L): 0.2 IP, 1 K, 2 ER, 2 H, 0 BB

Paul Skenes Struggles But Bullpen Holds the Game Together

Paul Skenes did not have his best stuff on Wednesday. The Pirates starter lasted just 4.1 innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits and four walks while striking out five. Detroit built a 3-1 lead on his watch, and Pittsburgh's bullpen had to eat four and two-thirds innings to keep the Bucs in contention. To their credit, they did exactly that.

Gregory Soto covered 1.2 innings with two strikeouts and no earned runs allowed. Camilo Doval followed with a clean inning — one walk, no hits, one strikeout. Luke Weaver was equally sharp, tossing a scoreless frame on zero hits and zero walks. Mason Montgomery closed it out in the ninth, getting two strikeouts while allowing two hits but no runs, and earned the win when Flores Jr. sent the PNC Park crowd home happy moments later.

Turning Point: Flores Jr. Ties It, Then Wins It

The turning point came late. Brandon Lowe had kept Pittsburgh alive earlier with a solo home run, but it was Flores Jr. who changed everything. His first home run pulled the Pirates within striking distance, and when Jansen — Detroit's veteran closer — came on to protect the lead in the ninth, Flores Jr. did not let the moment pass. Two hits, two home runs, two RBI: a perfect night at the plate that erased a two-run hole and handed Pittsburgh a one-run victory.

Nick Gonzales chipped in with a 2-for-3 performance to keep Pittsburgh's lineup moving, and the combination of production up and down the order gave the Pirates enough to work with once the bullpen steadied the ship.

What's Next for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh continues its series against the Detroit Tigers. The Bucs will look to carry Wednesday's momentum into the next game, with the bullpen having proven it can be a weapon when the starter exits early. Flores Jr.'s breakout performance is the obvious storyline to watch as this series continues.