Pirates hit two HRs in ninth to rally past Tigers 4-3

Field Level MediaField Level Media|published: Wed 19th August, 16:12 2026
Aug 19, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Nick Gonzales (3) greets designated hitter Brandon Lowe (5) crossing home plate to score a run against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesAug 19, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Nick Gonzales (3) greets designated hitter Brandon Lowe (5) crossing home plate to score a run against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

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 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 the four relievers held Detroit scoreless over the final 4 2/3 innings as left-hander Mason Montgomery (5-3) earned 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 broken bones in his left hand.

McGonigle tied it 1-1 for the Tigers with a fly ball 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 fifth consecutive start.


--Field Level Media

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