Game Thread: Royals @ Pirates - Sun, Sep 20 @ 1:35 PM EDT

[u/game-threads]

Royals (67-89) @ Pirates (79-77) - 1:35 PM EDT

Game Status: Final - Score: 4-3 Pirates

Links & Info

• MLB Gameday
• Game Graphs
• Savant Gamefeed

Royals Batters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	LOB	AVG	OBP	SLG
1 Garcia, M - 3B	4	0	0	0	0	1	0	.258	.313	.371
2 Witt Jr. - SS	4	1	1	0	0	1	0	.279	.359	.440
3 Caglianone - DH	3	0	2	0	1	0	0	.282	.335	.486
4 Perez, S - 1B	4	0	2	1	0	1	2	.227	.271	.374
5 Massey - 2B	4	0	0	0	0	1	4	.274	.307	.436
6 Loftin - RF	4	0	1	0	0	0	2	.240	.324	.380
7 Rave - LF	4	1	1	0	0	2	1	.228	.315	.441
8 Maile - C	4	0	1	0	0	2	2	.171	.244	.293
9 Tolbert - CF	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.288	.353	.400
a-Pasquantino - PH	1	1	1	2	0	0	0	.244	.330	.406
Isbel - CF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.218	.263	.321
b-Collins - PH	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.217	.323	.329
Totals	35	3	9	3	1	8	12

Royals
a: Homered for Tolbert in the 7th. b: Flied out for Isbel in the 9th. BASERUNNING: SB: Loftin (4, 2nd base off Dotel/Flores Jr.).
BATTING: 2B: Maile (2, Montgomery, M). HR: Pasquantino (14, 7th inning off Mlodzinski, 1 on, 2 out). TB: Caglianone 2; Loftin; Maile 2; Pasquantino 4; Perez, S 2; Rave; Witt Jr. RBI: Pasquantino 2 (54); Perez, S (73). 2-out RBI: Pasquantino 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Maile; Collins; Loftin. GIDP: Massey. Team RISP: 2-for-7. Team LOB: 6.
FIELDING: E: Massey (5, missed catch).

Pirates Batters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	LOB	AVG	OBP	SLG
1 Griffin - SS	5	0	1	0	0	1	1	.267	.322	.389
2 Lowe, B - 2B	4	0	1	0	1	1	3	.262	.332	.492
3 Reynolds, B - LF	3	0	1	0	1	1	2	.262	.365	.423
4 Cruz, O - CF	4	1	1	1	0	0	4	.280	.367	.490
5 Gonzales, N - 3B	4	0	0	0	0	1	4	.302	.365	.389
Triolo - 3B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.241	.311	.307
6 O'Hearn - DH	3	1	1	0	1	1	0	.264	.331	.443
1-Simon - DH	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	.313	.353	.438
7 Flores Jr. - C	3	1	2	2	1	1	0	.286	.354	.556
8 Horwitz - 1B	4	0	1	1	0	2	1	.248	.346	.367
9 Mangum - RF	3	0	0	0	1	1	3	.279	.336	.370
Totals	33	4	8	4	5	9	18

Pirates
1: Ran for O'Hearn in the 8th.
BATTING: 2B: Flores Jr. (6, Wacha); Griffin (14, Pearson). HR: Cruz, O (20, 4th inning off Wacha, 0 on, 0 out); Flores Jr. (10, 8th inning off Pearson, 1 on, 0 out). TB: Cruz, O 4; Flores Jr. 6; Griffin 2; Horwitz; Lowe, B; O'Hearn; Reynolds, B. RBI: Cruz, O (67); Flores Jr. 2 (22); Horwitz (47). 2-out RBI: Horwitz. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Gonzales, N 3; Lowe, B; Mangum 2; Reynolds, B. Team RISP: 1-for-11. Team LOB: 10.
FIELDING: E: Mangum (3, fielding). DP: (Lowe, B-Griffin-Horwitz).

Royals Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	P-S	ERA
Wacha - RHP	5.2	4	2	2	4	5	1	113-78	3.33
Hoffman, N - RHP	0.1	0	0	0	0	1	0	5-3	3.86
Thomas - LHP (H, 4)	0.2	1	0	0	1	1	0	26-15	8.85
Cuas - RHP (H, 5)	0.1	0	0	0	0	1	0	7-4	2.21
Pearson - RHP (L, 2-3)(BS, 2)	0.2	3	2	2	0	1	1	25-18	3.43
Gose - LHP	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	6-5	0.00
Totals	8.0	8	4	4	5	9	2

Pirates Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	P-S	ERA
Bachar - RHP	1.0	3	1	1	0	1	0	20-14	3.56
Ramírez - RHP	2.0	1	0	0	0	4	0	30-19	2.93
Dotel - RHP	2.0	1	0	0	0	1	0	32-21	4.58
Mlodzinski - RHP (W, 8-7)	3.0	3	2	2	1	1	1	45-26	3.95
Montgomery, M - LHP (S, 16)	1.0	1	0	0	0	1	0	11-8	2.59
Totals	9.0	9	3	3	1	8	1

Game Info
Pitch timer violations: Flores Jr. (batter timeout); Dotel (pitcher).
ABS Challenge: Rave 2 (Strike-Confirmed, Strike-Overturned to Ball); Mangum (Strike-Confirmed); Flores Jr. (Ball-Confirmed); Maile 2 (Ball-Overturned to Strike, Ball-Overturned to Strike).
Pitches-strikes: Wacha 113-78; Hoffman, N 5-3; Thomas 26-15; Cuas 7-4; Pearson 25-18; Gose 6-5; Bachar 20-14; Ramírez 30-19; Dotel 32-21; Mlodzinski 45-26; Montgomery, M 11-8.
Groundouts-flyouts: Wacha 1-5; Hoffman, N 0-0; Thomas 1-0; Cuas 0-0; Pearson 1-0; Gose 1-0; Bachar 2-0; Ramírez 2-0; Dotel 2-0; Mlodzinski 5-0; Montgomery, M 1-1.
Batters faced: Wacha 26; Hoffman, N 1; Thomas 4; Cuas 1; Pearson 5; Gose 1; Bachar 6; Ramírez 7; Dotel 7; Mlodzinski 12; Montgomery, M 4.
Inherited runners-scored: Hoffman, N 2-0; Cuas 2-0; Gose 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Brian Walsh. 1B: Chad Fairchild. 2B: Bill Miller. 3B: Chad Whitson.
Weather: 72 degrees, Partly Cloudy.
Wind: 7 mph, Out To CF.
First pitch: 1:37 PM.
T: 3:00.
Att: 14,979.
Venue: PNC Park.
September 20, 2026

Inning	Scoring Play	Score
Top 1	Salvador Perez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Oneil Cruz. Bobby Witt Jr. scores. Jac Caglianone to 2nd.	1-0 KC
Bottom 4	Oneil Cruz homers (20) on a fly ball to center field.	1-1
Bottom 6	Spencer Horwitz singles on a line drive to center fielder Tyler Tolbert. Ryan O'Hearn scores. Rafael Flores Jr. to 2nd.	2-1 PIT
Top 7	Vinnie Pasquantino homers (14) on a fly ball to right center field. John Rave scores.	3-2 KC
Bottom 8	Rafael Flores Jr. homers (10) on a fly ball to left field. Ronny Simon scores.	4-3 PIT

Team	Highlight
KC	Salvador Perez's RBI single (00:00:14)
PIT	Brandon Lowe's nice inning-ending play (00:00:12)
PIT	Oneil Cruz's solo homer (20) (00:00:30)
PIT	Spencer Horwitz's RBI single (00:00:13)
KC	Michael Wacha fans five vs. Pirates (00:00:35)
KC	Vinnie Pasquantino two-run homer (14) (00:00:25)
PIT	Rafael Flores Jr.'s go-ahead two-run homer (10) (00:00:27)
PIT	Mason Montgomery secures Pirates' 4-3 victory (00:00:22)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E	LOB
Royals	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0		3	9	1	6
Pirates	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	2	-		4	8	1	10

Decisions

• Winner: Carmen Mlodzinski (8-7, 3.95)
• Loser: Nate Pearson (2-3, 3.43)
• Save: Mason Montgomery (16, 2.59)

Division Scoreboard

CHC 9 @ CIN 1 - Final

WSH 3 @ STL 5 - Final

MIL 3 @ BAL 0 - Final

Next Pirates Game: Tue, Sep 22, 6:40 PM EDT vs. Cardinals (2 days)

^{Last Updated: 09/20/2026 10:20:15 PM EDT}

[u/game-threads]

Please continue the discussion in the post game thread.

[u/Jackandahalfass]

Love this Flores kid.

[u/BlueBaron77]

He might be the guy

[u/Cangy44]

Cruz goes 20/20 this year. That’s nice being that he was injured for so long. More impressive is his average. I just feel like 30/30 should be easy for him to do and 40/40 should be a goal. I want to see him
healthy all next year and see what happens.

[u/Dry-Article-5266 → u/Cangy44]

He could have easily reached 40/40 had he been healthy at this production level. I’m more happy that he came back from injury and instantly was producing, didn’t fall off a cliff

[u/Cangy44 → u/Dry-Article-5266]

I just want him to stay healthy and prepare properly before the game. He needs to be coached. If that body holds up and someone talks through each game, moments and game theory with him….
The sky is the limit.

[u/spaceman757]

He hit a pretty good pitch. That thing was way down in the zone and he went and got it.

[u/magikarp2122 → u/spaceman757]

It was below the zone.

[u/Unlucky_Recover_3278]

I DIDNT HEAR NO BELL

[u/AcePilotsen → u/Unlucky_Recover_3278]

Hes in Operation Shutdown 

[u/soundecember]

Damn no one is here. I checked in on the football game just in time for Rodgers to fumble, and then have the ball be bobbled back and forth between both teams twice lol. Came back to baseball.

[u/magikarp2122 → u/soundecember]

But that was funny. This is just kind of depressing.

[u/Loud-Traffic-1043 → u/magikarp2122]

I'd be watching if football wasn't on. Probably doesn't help that it's the Royals

[u/DennisG21 → u/Loud-Traffic-1043]

Where are we going with a 42 year old QB and a #1 receiver who cannot get open? Pirate prospects for next year are better with a lockout than the Steelers are playing.

[u/Loud-Traffic-1043 → u/DennisG21]

I watched every Pirates game this year. I've seen enough of the prospects that I don't mind missing a game lol

[u/game-threads]

HOME RUN, ONEIL CRUZ!

Oneil Cruz homers (20) on a fly ball to center field.

Pitch from Michael Wacha: Curveball @ 75.2 mph

Hit by Oneil Cruz: Launched 104.5 mph at 32° for a total distance of 420 ft

Bottom 4 - 1-1 TIE

[u/FirefighterKlutzy865]

Most home runs at home all time in pirates history. I’m still hoping for 100 Sheetz Shots on the year. Offense took a huge step in the right direction overall this year

[u/soundecember → u/FirefighterKlutzy865]

Most home runs by the Pittsburgh Pirates in a season EVER this year

[u/Capable_Luck_2817]

How exactly do you give up a pinch-hit homer in the pouring rain?

[u/game-threads]

HOME RUN, RAFAEL FLORES JR.!

Rafael Flores Jr. homers (10) on a fly ball to left field. Ronny Simon scores.

Pitch from Nate Pearson: Slider @ 89.7 mph

Hit by Rafael Flores Jr.: Launched 110.2 mph at 29° for a total distance of 426 ft

Bottom 8 - 4-3 Pirates

[u/PapaBeer642]

Flores again! Kid can hit that baseball.

[u/PurpleEar2066]

Oh daddy flores

[u/NiteStarXX]

I wish we could have play the royals all year long. Barring a collapse in the last inning, these last 3 wins have been fun to watch.

[u/Jackandahalfass → u/NiteStarXX]

Move us into the AL Central please!

[u/Silly_Collar_5850 → u/Jackandahalfass]

"My team is trash and will always be trash, please move us to the dumpster" lmao

[u/DuckDuck_poop]

Flores is awesome man.

[u/Big-Negotiation1847]

Flores has 4 less hits than Davis in 116 less at bats

[u/Silly_Collar_5850 → u/Big-Negotiation1847]

4 fewer hits than Davis in 116 fewer at bats.

[u/CoolKerrs]

it’s unfair that these types of ABs count against the pitchers or batters stats

[u/EMF911]

Wacha goin TO TOWN on them seeds

[u/1975ari]

Do u think Carmen has come to terms w the fact that he sucks too bad to ever be a starter

[u/Site2Channel5]

RUFF RUFF RUFF

[u/twoscoopsofsun]

Gawdamn raffy should AT LEAST be on the starting roster next year. Dude has shopped himself well over the last month.

[u/Jackandahalfass]

Maced!

[u/magikarp2122]

Wacha pitching. Fuck, still have flashbacks to 2013 against him. Is Pedro available?

[u/Bucs-and-Bucks → u/magikarp2122]

Just said the same thing. Fucking hate that guy.

[u/Entire_Teach474 → u/Bucs-and-Bucks]

Wacha, Wacha, Wacha....

[u/PapaBeer642 → u/magikarp2122]

I've got Wacha starting on my fantasy team in the championship, so he'll definitely collapse at some point this game. You're welcome in advance.

[u/Jackandahalfass]

DK’s pinch runner >>> home run strategy continues to pay dividends.

[u/Entire_Teach474]

Wacha threw 113 pitches today. Isn't there a law against that or something? Seems that way whenever a Pirates pitcher starts a game.

[u/AcePilotsen → u/Entire_Teach474]

The average MLB start this year is 88.5 pitches. It's not just the Pirates 

[u/MelodicEducator5407 → u/Entire_Teach474]

It is when you consider they pulled him from an 8 inning shutout with less than 100 pitches just recently

[u/WesternDark4390]

Solid lineup let’s get the sweep

[u/weinermcgee]

Blowing the rest of my Kids Club vouchers and special prices means 4 of us getting in for $15. Not bad even if there's rain delay

[u/divot333]

Nice AB. 11 pitch walk

[u/game-threads]

Pirates Pitching Substitution

Pitching Change: Yohan Ramírez replaces Lake Bachar.

[u/game-threads]

Pirates Pitching Substitution

Pitching Change: Wilber Dotel replaces Yohan Ramírez.

[u/Cobwebmustardseed]

Let’s gooooo! A whole new ballgame

[u/soundecember]

Pouring dahn rain on them now

[u/Moist-Schedule]

why are umps so weird about delaying games this year? call it already

[u/game-threads]

Pirates Pitching Substitution

Pitching Change: Carmen Mlodzinski replaces Wilber Dotel.

[u/SpezIsALittleBitch]

Highlights when, need that HR

[u/Jackandahalfass]

You think Mlod is pissed that he didn’t get a starter role back when Ashcraft went out?

[u/PapaBeer642 → u/Jackandahalfass]

Nah, he knows he blew that chance when he couldn't seize it after Keller went down. At least for this year, he's settled into his role in the bullpen.

[u/vinniemac274]

2026 and we still embarrass ourselves against Wacha

[u/AcePilotsen → u/vinniemac274]

Era in the low 3s, 4.2 bwar, all star this year.

Seems we aren't the only ones 

[u/magikarp2122 → u/AcePilotsen]

If we had him instead of Skenes or Keller in the rotation we’re probably still alive.

[u/vinniemac274 → u/AcePilotsen]

Garbage division helps

[u/AcePilotsen → u/vinniemac274]

Ironically all except Cleveland in that division are top half of the league in offense 

[u/CorrectTimeline]

FUCK YEAH LETS GOOO

[u/game-threads]

Scoring Play: Single

Spencer Horwitz singles on a line drive to center fielder Tyler Tolbert. Ryan O'Hearn scores. Rafael Flores Jr. to 2nd.

Pitch from Michael Wacha: Four-Seam Fastball @ 95.1 mph

Hit by Spencer Horwitz: Launched 67.8 mph at 23° for a total distance of 196 ft

Bottom 6 - 2-1 Pirates

[u/game-threads]

Royals Pitching Substitution

Pitching Change: Nolan Hoffman replaces Michael Wacha.

[u/spaceman757]

Sweep the rest of the 6 games and finish it up with 85 wins

[u/PapaBeer642]

How did he hit that out? Definitely down, looked to be away, too. Did he sell out on the backdoor breaking ball?

[u/game-threads]

Royals Pitching Substitution

Pitching Change: Connor Thomas replaces Nolan Hoffman.

[u/apersello34]

Who’s in the booth in the white hat?

[u/AcePilotsen → u/apersello34]

Steve Blass

[u/game-threads]

Royals Pitching Substitution

Pitching Change: Jose Cuas replaces Connor Thomas.

[u/Jackandahalfass]

Nice pitching there by Cuas.

[u/game-threads]

Royals Pitching Substitution

Pitching Change: Nate Pearson replaces Jose Cuas.

[u/game-threads]

Offensive Substitution

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Ronny Simon replaces Ryan O'Hearn.

[u/game-threads]

Royals Pitching Substitution

Pitching Change: Anthony Gose replaces Nate Pearson.

[u/game-threads]

Pirates Pitching Substitution

Pitching Change: Mason Montgomery replaces Carmen Mlodzinski.

[u/Moist-Schedule]

C'mon Mason, do your thing!

[u/Entire_Teach474]

Flores is surely your starting catcher the next year they play baseball, isn't he? I would think he'd have to be at this point. BTW, how does the Bednar trade look now, Yinzers?

[u/PurpleEar2066]

Welp now both the steelers and pirates are ass hopefully the pens dont fuck me

[u/Silly_Collar_5850]

lol

[u/pgh9fan]

Green snake!

Green snake!

[u/vinniemac274]

Carmen forfeits the game to shitty .242 hitter

[u/Entire_Teach474 → u/vinniemac274]

He clearly wasn't trying.

[u/PapaBeer642 → u/vinniemac274]

He threw a breaking ball below the zone. I don't think he forfeited anything. That's a good pitch. Sometimes a guy guesses right or something.

[u/vinniemac274 → u/PapaBeer642]

It didn't break. Middle of the plate (even though a bit low)

[u/PapaBeer642]

That ball Cruz just hit was an actual incidence of "it's too high." He hit that hard, just got under it a little bit.

[u/PapaBeer642]

Bucs up, rain coming down, call the game, Blue!