Pirates hit 2 HRs in ninth to rally past Tigers

Brandon Lowe hit a game-ending home run two batters after Rafael Flores Jr. went deep to tie it as the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied for a 4-3 victory over the visiting Detroit Tigers on Wednesday afternoon.

Both home runs came off Tigers right-hander Kenley Jansen (3-5), with Lowe ending the game by going deep on a 1-2 cutter with two outs for his 27th homer of the season. It was the first time Jansen allowed multiple home runs in a relief appearance since May 2, 2025, when he gave up three to the Tigers as a member of the Los Angeles Angels.

Flores's game-tying home run with one out left Jansen with his fifth blown save of the season. It was Flores' second home run of the game after entered as a pinch hitter in the seventh.

Paul Skenes gave up three runs on four hits over 4 1/3 innings for Pittsburgh, while four relievers held Detroit scoreless over the final 4 2/3 innings, with left-hander Mason Montgomery (5-3) earning the win.

Kevin McGonigle drove in a pair of runs for the Tigers, while right-hander Jackson Jobe gave up one run on four hits over 5 1/3 innings.

The Pirates took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a single from Oneil Cruz, who was playing in his second game since returning from an extended absence due to broken bones in his left hand.

McGonigle tied it 1-1 for the Tigers with a sacrifice fly in the third inning. Detroit went up 3-1 in the fifth on an RBI single from Gleyber Torres and a run-scoring double from McGonigle. Torres was thrown out at home on McGonigle's double.

Flores' first home run of the game came in the seventh inning to get the Pirates within 3-2.

Skenes exited with one out in the fifth after 81 pitches. The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner pitched five innings or fewer for the fourth consecutive start.

--Field Level Media