Pittsburgh Pirates vs Kansas City Royals, September 20, 2026

RoyalsKC
3-4
Final
PiratesPIT

September 20, 2026, 1:35 PM ET | PNC Park

Last 5 Form

Kansas City Royals

1-4

Last 5
W 5-2
@ HOU
L 2-6
@ HOU
L 5-8
@ PIT
L 5-6
@ PIT
L 3-4
@ PIT

Pittsburgh Pirates

4-1

Last 5
L 4-5
vs MIL
W 7-4
vs MIL
W 8-5
vs KC
W 6-5
vs KC
W 4-3
vs KC

Starting Pitchers

Kansas City Royals

Michael Wacha headshot
Michael Wacha
Recorded starter

Pittsburgh Pirates

Lake Bachar headshot
Lake Bachar
Recorded starter

Standings Snapshot

Full standings
Season recordsRecord, division and wild card rank, games back. Standings as of Sep 20, 11:25 PM ET
TeamW-LPCTDivWCGB
Kansas City Royals67-89.429#5#1014.0
Pittsburgh Pirates79-77.506#3#519.0
PCT
winning percentage
Div
division rank
WC
wild card rank
GB
games back

Season Comparison

2026
Kansas City RoyalsPittsburgh Pirates
.718
OPS
.734
170
HR
186
690
Runs
767
4.77
ERA
4.14
1.41
WHIP
1.30
1173
Strikeouts by pitchers
1496

Lower is better for ERA and WHIP; bars show each value against the larger of the two.

Top Players

Across up to five recent games with recorded boxscores.

Kansas City Royals

Hitters

Vinnie Pasquantino headshot
Vinnie Pasquantino

5 H, 2 HR, 5 RBI

Michael Massey headshot
Michael Massey

4 H, 2 HR, 3 RBI

Carter Jensen headshot
Carter Jensen

4 H, 1 HR, 3 RBI

Pitchers

Daniel Lynch IV headshot
Daniel Lynch IV

5.0 IP, 3 SO, 0.00 ERA

Michael Wacha headshot
Michael Wacha

5.2 IP, 5 SO, 3.18 ERA

Noah Cameron headshot
Noah Cameron

6.0 IP, 6 SO, 6.00 ERA

Pittsburgh Pirates

Hitters

Brandon Lowe headshot
Brandon Lowe

7 H, 3 HR, 7 RBI

Oneil Cruz headshot
Oneil Cruz

9 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI

Rafael Flores Jr. headshot
Rafael Flores Jr.

5 H, 2 HR, 3 RBI

Pitchers

Yohan Ramírez headshot
Yohan Ramírez

4.1 IP, 7 SO, 0.00 ERA

Mason Montgomery headshot
Mason Montgomery

3.1 IP, 4 SO, 0.00 ERA

Wilber Dotel headshot
Wilber Dotel

4.0 IP, 3 SO, 2.25 ERA

Top Performers

Picked by MLBDB from this game's box score. MLB's own list of top performers can differ.

Michael Wacha headshot
Michael Wacha
Kansas City Royals, MLBDB pick
Rafael Flores Jr. headshot
Rafael Flores Jr.
Pittsburgh Pirates, MLBDB pick
Vinnie Pasquantino headshot
Vinnie Pasquantino
Kansas City Royals, MLBDB pick

Line Score

Pittsburgh Pirates 4, Kansas City Royals 3: KC 9 hits, PIT 8 hits; KC 1 error, PIT 1 error.

Runs by inningThen runs (R), hits (H) and errors (E) for the game
Team123456789RHE
Kansas City Royals100000200391
Pittsburgh Pirates00010102x481

Box Score

Batting

Jac Caglianone and Salvador Perez led Kansas City Royals with 2 hits each.

Kansas City Royals batting
PlayerABRHRBIBBSOHR
Maikel Garcia3B4000010
Bobby Witt Jr.SS4110010
Jac CaglianoneDH3020100
Salvador Perez1B4021010
Michael Massey2B4000010
Nick LoftinRF4010000
John RaveLF4110020
Luke MaileC4010020
Tyler TolbertCF2000000
Vinnie PasquantinoPH1112001
Kyle IsbelCF0000000
Isaac CollinsPH1000000
Totals35393181

Rafael Flores Jr. led Pittsburgh Pirates with 2 hits and 1 home run and 2 RBI.

Pittsburgh Pirates batting
PlayerABRHRBIBBSOHR
Konnor GriffinSS5010010
Brandon Lowe2B4010110
Bryan ReynoldsLF3010110
Oneil CruzCF4111001
Nick Gonzales3B4000010
Jared Triolo3B0000000
Ryan O'HearnDH3110110
Ronny SimonPR/DH0100000
Rafael Flores Jr.C3122111
Spencer Horwitz1B4011020
Jake MangumRF3000110
Totals33484592

Pitching

Michael Wacha went 5.2 innings for Kansas City Royals (5 SO, 2 ER); Carmen Mlodzinski went 3.0 innings for Pittsburgh Pirates (1 SO, 2 ER).

Pitching lines
PitcherIPHRERBBSOHR
Kansas City Royals
Michael Wacha5.2422451
Nolan Hoffman0.1000010
Connor Thomas0.2100110
Jose Cuas0.1000010
Nate Pearson0.2322011
Anthony Gose0.1000000
Pittsburgh Pirates
Lake Bachar1.0311010
Yohan Ramírez2.0100040
Wilber Dotel2.0100010
Carmen Mlodzinski3.0322111
Mason Montgomery1.0100010
AB
at-bats
R
runs
H
hits
RBI
runs batted in
BB
walks
SO
strikeouts
HR
home runs
IP
innings pitched
ER
earned runs

Scoring Summary

  • T1

    Single Salvador Perez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Oneil Cruz. Bobby Witt Jr. scores. Jac Caglianone to 2nd. KC 1, PIT 0

  • B4

    Home Run Oneil Cruz homers (20) on a fly ball to center field. KC 1, PIT 1

  • B6

    Single Spencer Horwitz singles on a line drive to center fielder Tyler Tolbert. Ryan O'Hearn scores. Rafael Flores Jr. to 2nd. KC 1, PIT 2

  • T7

    Home Run Vinnie Pasquantino homers (14) on a fly ball to right center field. John Rave scores. KC 3, PIT 2

  • B8

    Home Run Rafael Flores Jr. homers (10) on a fly ball to left field. Ronny Simon scores. KC 3, PIT 4

Play-by-Play

All 74 recorded plate appearances, newest first.

  • T9

    Flyout Isaac Collins flies out to right fielder Jake Mangum. KC 3, PIT 4

  • T9

    Double Luke Maile doubles (2) on a fly ball to right fielder Jake Mangum. Luke Maile to 3rd. Luke Maile advances to 3rd, on a fielding error by right fielder Jake Mangum. KC 3, PIT 4

  • T9

    Strikeout John Rave strikes out swinging. KC 3, PIT 4

  • T9

    Groundout Nick Loftin grounds out, shortstop Konnor Griffin to first baseman Spencer Horwitz. KC 3, PIT 4

  • B8

    Groundout Brandon Lowe grounds out softly, pitcher Anthony Gose to first baseman Salvador Perez. KC 3, PIT 4

  • B8

    Double Konnor Griffin doubles (14) on a sharp line drive to left fielder John Rave. KC 3, PIT 4

  • B8

    Groundout Jake Mangum grounds out, first baseman Salvador Perez to pitcher Nate Pearson. KC 3, PIT 4

  • B8

    Strikeout Luke Maile challenged (pitch result), call on the field was overturned: Spencer Horwitz called out on strikes. KC 3, PIT 4

  • B8

    Home Run Rafael Flores Jr. homers (10) on a fly ball to left field. Ronny Simon scores. KC 3, PIT 4

  • B8

    Single Ryan O'Hearn singles on a ground ball to center fielder Kyle Isbel. KC 3, PIT 2

  • T8

    Groundout Michael Massey grounds out to first baseman Spencer Horwitz. KC 3, PIT 2

  • T8

    Strikeout Salvador Perez strikes out swinging. KC 3, PIT 2

  • T8

    Walk Jac Caglianone walks. KC 3, PIT 2

  • T8

    Groundout Bobby Witt Jr. grounds out, third baseman Nick Gonzales to first baseman Spencer Horwitz. KC 3, PIT 2

  • B7

    Strikeout Nick Gonzales strikes out swinging. KC 3, PIT 2

  • B7

    Groundout Oneil Cruz grounds out to first baseman Salvador Perez. Brandon Lowe to 3rd. Bryan Reynolds to 2nd. KC 3, PIT 2

  • B7

    Walk Bryan Reynolds walks. Brandon Lowe to 2nd. KC 3, PIT 2

  • B7

    Single Brandon Lowe singles on a ground ball to third baseman Maikel Garcia, deflected by shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. KC 3, PIT 2

  • B7

    Strikeout Konnor Griffin strikes out swinging. KC 3, PIT 2

  • T7

    Groundout Maikel Garcia grounds out, shortstop Konnor Griffin to first baseman Spencer Horwitz. KC 3, PIT 2

  • T7

    Home Run Vinnie Pasquantino homers (14) on a fly ball to right center field. John Rave scores. KC 3, PIT 2

  • T7

    Groundout Luke Maile grounds out softly, pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski to first baseman Spencer Horwitz. John Rave to 2nd. KC 1, PIT 2

  • T7

    Single John Rave singles on a soft bunt ground ball to third baseman Nick Gonzales. KC 1, PIT 2

  • T7

    Pop Out Nick Loftin pops out to first baseman Spencer Horwitz. KC 1, PIT 2

  • B6

    Strikeout Jake Mangum called out on strikes. KC 1, PIT 2

  • B6

    Single Spencer Horwitz singles on a line drive to center fielder Tyler Tolbert. Ryan O'Hearn scores. Rafael Flores Jr. to 2nd. KC 1, PIT 2

  • B6

    Walk Rafael Flores Jr. walks. Ryan O'Hearn to 2nd. KC 1, PIT 1

  • B6

    Walk Ryan O'Hearn walks. KC 1, PIT 1

  • B6

    Flyout Nick Gonzales flies out to right fielder Nick Loftin. KC 1, PIT 1

  • B6

    Flyout Oneil Cruz flies out sharply to center fielder Tyler Tolbert. KC 1, PIT 1

  • T6

    Grounded Into DP Michael Massey grounds into a double play, second baseman Brandon Lowe to shortstop Konnor Griffin to first baseman Spencer Horwitz. Salvador Perez out at 2nd. Michael Massey out at 1st. KC 1, PIT 1

  • T6

    Single Salvador Perez singles on a line drive to center fielder Oneil Cruz. KC 1, PIT 1

  • T6

    Lineout Jac Caglianone lines out sharply to left fielder Bryan Reynolds. KC 1, PIT 1

  • B5

    Strikeout Bryan Reynolds strikes out swinging. KC 1, PIT 1

  • B5

    Pop Out Brandon Lowe pops out to third baseman Maikel Garcia on the infield fly rule. KC 1, PIT 1

  • B5

    Fielders Choice Konnor Griffin reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by third baseman Maikel Garcia. Jake Mangum to 2nd. Jake Mangum advances to 2nd, on a missed catch error by second baseman Michael Massey, assist to third baseman Maikel Garcia. KC 1, PIT 1

  • B5

    Walk Jake Mangum walks. KC 1, PIT 1

  • B5

    Lineout Spencer Horwitz lines out to first baseman Salvador Perez. KC 1, PIT 1

  • T5

    Lineout Bobby Witt Jr. lines out to right fielder Jake Mangum. KC 1, PIT 1

  • T5

    Groundout Maikel Garcia grounds out, third baseman Nick Gonzales to first baseman Spencer Horwitz. KC 1, PIT 1

  • T5

    Pop Out Tyler Tolbert pops out to third baseman Nick Gonzales. KC 1, PIT 1

  • B4

    Strikeout Rafael Flores Jr. strikes out on automatic strike. KC 1, PIT 1

  • B4

    Pop Out Ryan O'Hearn pops out to shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. KC 1, PIT 1

  • B4

    Bunt Pop Out Nick Gonzales bunt pops out softly to pitcher Michael Wacha. KC 1, PIT 1

  • B4

    Home Run Oneil Cruz homers (20) on a fly ball to center field. KC 1, PIT 1

  • T4

    Strikeout Luke Maile strikes out swinging. KC 1, PIT 0

  • T4

    Groundout John Rave grounds out, second baseman Brandon Lowe to first baseman Spencer Horwitz. Nick Loftin to 3rd. KC 1, PIT 0

  • T4

    Single Nick Loftin singles on a ground ball to left fielder Bryan Reynolds. KC 1, PIT 0

  • T4

    Lineout Michael Massey lines out to center fielder Oneil Cruz. KC 1, PIT 0

  • B3

    Flyout Bryan Reynolds flies out to center fielder Tyler Tolbert. KC 1, PIT 0

  • B3

    Strikeout Brandon Lowe strikes out on a foul tip. KC 1, PIT 0

  • B3

    Lineout Konnor Griffin lines out sharply to left fielder John Rave. KC 1, PIT 0

  • T3

    Groundout Salvador Perez grounds out, second baseman Brandon Lowe to first baseman Spencer Horwitz. KC 1, PIT 0

  • T3

    Single Jac Caglianone singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jake Mangum. KC 1, PIT 0

  • T3

    Strikeout Bobby Witt Jr. called out on strikes. KC 1, PIT 0

  • T3

    Strikeout Maikel Garcia strikes out on a foul tip. KC 1, PIT 0

  • B2

    Lineout Jake Mangum lines out to left fielder John Rave. KC 1, PIT 0

  • B2

    Strikeout Spencer Horwitz strikes out swinging. KC 1, PIT 0

  • B2

    Double Rafael Flores Jr. doubles (6) on a sharp line drive to left fielder John Rave. KC 1, PIT 0

  • B2

    Strikeout Ryan O'Hearn strikes out on a foul tip. KC 1, PIT 0

  • T2

    Groundout Tyler Tolbert grounds out, shortstop Konnor Griffin to first baseman Spencer Horwitz. KC 1, PIT 0

  • T2

    Strikeout Luke Maile called out on strikes. KC 1, PIT 0

  • T2

    Strikeout John Rave strikes out swinging. KC 1, PIT 0

  • B1

    Flyout Nick Gonzales flies out to right fielder Nick Loftin. KC 1, PIT 0

  • B1

    Pop Out Oneil Cruz pops out to shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. on the infield fly rule. KC 1, PIT 0

  • B1

    Single Bryan Reynolds singles on a line drive to right fielder Nick Loftin. Brandon Lowe to 2nd. KC 1, PIT 0

  • B1

    Walk Brandon Lowe walks. KC 1, PIT 0

  • B1

    Flyout Konnor Griffin flies out sharply to center fielder Tyler Tolbert. KC 1, PIT 0

  • T1

    Groundout Nick Loftin grounds out softly to pitcher Lake Bachar. KC 1, PIT 0

  • T1

    Strikeout Michael Massey strikes out swinging. KC 1, PIT 0

  • T1

    Single Salvador Perez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Oneil Cruz. Bobby Witt Jr. scores. Jac Caglianone to 2nd. KC 1, PIT 0

  • T1

    Single Jac Caglianone singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jake Mangum. Bobby Witt Jr. to 3rd. KC 0, PIT 0

  • T1

    Single Bobby Witt Jr. singles on a ground ball to second baseman Brandon Lowe. KC 0, PIT 0

  • T1

    Groundout Maikel Garcia grounds out, second baseman Brandon Lowe to first baseman Spencer Horwitz. KC 0, PIT 0