The Pittsburgh Pirates dropped a painful one on Saturday, September 26, 2026, falling 4-3 to the Detroit Tigers on a ninth-inning walkoff at Comerica Park. Detroit overcame a two-run deficit to steal the win, with Eduardo Valencia delivering the decisive blow — a home run that was part of a two-RBI night — as Mason Montgomery took the loss after surrendering three earned runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning. It was the kind of late-game implosion that stings, and it cost the Pirates a result they had built on an early two-run lead before Detroit fought back.

Pirates Held a Lead They Couldn't Protect

Pittsburgh actually did enough to win this baseball game for most of the night. Bryan Reynolds went 2-for-4 with an RBI, providing steady production in the middle of the Pittsburgh lineup. Brandon Lowe added a solo home run in his one hit of the night, finishing 1-for-4 with an RBI. Konnor Griffin was active at the plate, going 2-for-4, while Henry Davis also went 2-for-3 and Jacob Gonzalez contributed a home run and an RBI in a 1-for-2 showing. Pittsburgh put together enough offense to build that two-run cushion — the problem was keeping it.

Montgomery Collapses in the Ninth, Waguespack Gets the Win

The turning point was blunt and brutal. Mason Montgomery entered in the ninth inning to close it out and instead gave up three hits and three earned runs while recording just two outs — two-thirds of an inning worth of damage that ended the Pirates' night in the worst way possible. Montgomery (the losing pitcher) couldn't escape the jam he created.

On the other side, Jacob Waguespack picked up the win for the Tigers, tossing 1.1 innings of two-hit ball while striking out two and allowing no earned runs. His performance bridged the gap to the walkoff moment and kept Detroit within striking distance when it mattered most.

Pittsburgh Bullpen Had Moments Worth Noting

Before the ninth-inning unraveling, several Pirates relievers kept the game competitive. Kirby Yates opened out of the bullpen with 1.2 innings of two-hit, scoreless ball, setting an early tone. Yohan Ramírez punched out three batters in 1.1 innings of scoreless work. Carmen Mlodzinski was sharp in his 2.1-inning stretch, striking out five and allowing just one earned run on one hit. Evan Sisk worked 0.2 innings without allowing a run. Gregory Soto threw a clean inning, and Luke Weaver added a scoreless frame of his own. The bullpen arms set the table — it just came apart at the end.

Verlander Keeps Detroit in It; Tigers' Bats Follow Through

Justin Verlander gave the Tigers a workmanlike start that proved pivotal: 5.1 innings, 6 strikeouts, 2 earned runs on 5 hits and 1 walk. He wasn't untouchable, but he kept Detroit close long enough for the bullpen and lineup to do the rest. Tyler Kinley and Brant Hurter bridged to Waguespack, and the Tigers' offense made the most of the opportunity. Key contributors on Detroit's side:

  • Eduardo Valencia: 1-for-5, 1 HR, 2 RBI — the biggest swing of the night
  • Javier Báez: 2-for-4, 1 RBI — steady presence throughout
  • Hao-Yu Lee: 2-for-3 — two hits on the night

Pittsburgh's Offensive Highlights

  • Konnor Griffin: 2-for-4
  • Henry Davis: 2-for-3
  • Bryan Reynolds: 2-for-4, 1 RBI
  • Jacob Gonzalez: 1-for-2, 1 HR, 1 RBI
  • Brandon Lowe: 1-for-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI

What's Next for the Pirates

Pittsburgh will need to regroup quickly. Losing a game where you held a two-run lead into the final inning is never easy to shake, and this late-September defeat on the road in Detroit is one the Pirates will want to flush fast. The series continues, and the Pirates will look to their rotation and a more reliable late-game option to avoid a repeat of Saturday's outcome.