Pirates Fall to Royals on Walk-Off

Catcher Henry Davis then hit a one-out double in the top of the fifth inning, but got caught stealing at third base, ending a good scoring opportunity for the Pirates to take the lead.

Second baseman Nick Gonzales then gave the Pirates that lead with a solo home run off of Lugo, sending a slurve 427 feet and over the center field wall for a solo home run, putting the road team up 2-1.

Keller forced Garcia into a popout to start the bottom of the seventh inning, but Perez took first base after a catcher's interference from Davis.

He then got Caglianone to fly out, but allowed a two-run home run to second baseman Nick Loftin on a slider over the middle of the plate, giving the Royals a 3-2 lead.

Keller gave up a walk and ended his outing after 6.2 innings pitched, with five strikeouts and 93 pitches thrown.

Left-handed pitcher Caleb Ferguson came in for Keller and got a groundout, ending the seventh inning.

Pirates shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a one-out single in the top of the eighth inning and then made it to second base, as Royals right-handed pitcher Lucas Erceg threw his pickoff attempt off of Kiner-Falefa.

First baseman Spencer Horwitz walked, Jared Triolo took over as a pinch-runner, then both Triolo and Kiner-Falefa moved up a base on a passed ball. Left fielder Tommy Pham then loaded the bases for the Pirates on another walk.

Right fielder Bryan Reynolds hit a ground ball, but beat out the double play at first base, as Kiner-Falefa scored and tied the game up at 3-3. Gonzales also grounded out and the Pirates failed to take the lead with the bases loaded and one out.

Pirates right-handed pitcher Dennis Santana threw a scoreless eighth inning and third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes hit a one-out double in the top of the ninth inning, but both right fielder Jack Suwinski and pinch-hitter Adam Frazier flew out.

Santana then threw to Joey Bart, who took over at catcher from Henry Davis, as Frazier pinch-hit for him.

He allowed back-to-back singles to Garcia and Perez in the bottom of the ninth inning. He finally got Caglianone out on a flyout, but Garcia moved to third base.

Right-handed pitcher Isaac Mattson took over from Santana with one out and runners on the corners with one out.

Mattson then allowed a hit to Loftin, that Cruz just missed on a dive to center field and the Royals walked-off for a 4-3 win.

The Pirates will look to avoid the sweep vs. the Royals in the series finale on July 9. First pitch is set for 7:40 p.m. (EST).