Photo: Lon Horwedel ~ Imagn Images
PITTSBURGH, Pa. ~ The Detroit Tigers left Pittsburgh with a series loss after dropping the finale, 4-3, to the Pirates on Wednesday at PNC Park. Detroit took the opener of the three-game set, 8-5, but Pittsburgh responded with back-to-back victories, 4-1 and 4-3, to claim the series, two games to one.
For much of Wednesday afternoon, it looked like the Tigers were on their way to salvaging the series. Detroit built a 3-1 lead behind its young core. Shortstop Kevin McGonigle drove in two runs, including an RBI double, while second baseman Gleyber Torres added an RBI single. Center fielder Max Clark continued his impressive stretch, going 2 for 4 and scoring a run.
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(CONTINUED) On the mound, Jackson Jobe gave Detroit exactly what it needed. The right-hander worked 5 1/3 innings, allowing one run on four hits while striking out three. The Tigers bullpen kept Pittsburgh quiet through eight innings, and Detroit entered the ninth holding a 3-2 advantage. Catcher Rafael Flores Jr. sparked the Pirates’ comeback with a solo home run in the seventh, trimming the deficit to one and setting the stage for late drama.
The game slipped away in the bottom of the ninth. Flores struck again, crushing a game-tying home run before designated hitter Brandon Lowe followed with a walk-off solo shot to right field. In a matter of minutes, Pittsburgh erased Detroit’s lead and celebrated a dramatic 4-3 win. Flores finished as the hero with two home runs, while Lowe scored twice and delivered the decisive blow. For the Tigers, the loss was a frustrating finish to a series that began with momentum but ended with Pittsburgh taking two straight games and the series victory.
The Tigers will travel to Kansas City to begin a three-game series Friday.
