Pirates Fall to Homer-Hungry Tigers

Shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa led off the top of the third inning with a single and then after center fielder Oneil Cruz struck out, designated hitter Andrew McCutchen doubled, moving Kiner-Falefa to third base.

Alexander Canario came in for Bryan Reynolds at right field in the bottom of the second inning and then came through with a single, scoring Kiner-Falefa and McCutchen, as the Pirates retook the lead, 3-2.

Falter got through the third and the fourth innings without any trouble, but then allowed a leadoff home run to Baéz in the bottom of the fifth inning, who unleased on a curveball over the middle of the plate, as the Tigers tied it back up at 3-3.

Falter ended his outing after 78 pitches through five innings and Pirates manager went with right-handed relief pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski.

Mlodzinski allowed a leadoff single to Tigers left fielder Ryan Greene and after getting Torkelson to fly out, he allowed a triple to Pérez, scoring Greene and giving the Tigers a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Baéz would hit his second home run, a solo shot, as he led off the bottom of the seventh inning. Mlodzinski then got two outs, but hit pinch-hitter Kerry Carpenter and gave up a two-run home run to Greene, as the Tigers increased their lead to 7-3.

Right-handed pitcher Chase Shugart threw a scoreless eighth inning, making his first appearance since June 9 vs. the Miami Marlins at PNC Park.

Pittsburgh went 1-for-20 after Canario's two-run single, as they struggled against the Detroit pitching the rest of the way.

The Pirates will look to end their losing streak and even up the series with the Tigers on June 18. First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m.