Konnor Griffin helps key Pirates' comeback victory vs. Royals

Colin Beazley, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Sep 18, 2026

Published in Baseball

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PITTSBURGH — The Pirates’ win on Friday night kept them mathematically alive for the postseason, even if those chances are no longer realistic.

Their ace’s struggles offered a reminder of one reason why a ticket won’t be punched.

The Pirates beat the Kansas City Royals, 8-5, on Friday at PNC Park. Spencer Horwitz went 2 for 3 with a walk and the tie-breaking two-run single in the seventh. But Paul Skenes dug the Pirates a 4-0 hole, a deficit they had to break out of.

Konnor Griffin went 4 for 5 with four singles, scoring a run and driving in two more. Oneil Cruz went 3 for 5 with two runs and a double.

The Pirates are 77-77, their most wins since 2018. A San Diego Padres win later Friday night — or at any point over the next nine games — would officially eliminate them from contention for the third wild-card spot.

In six innings, Skenes allowed five runs on six hits and a walk. The Royals had two solo shots, a blast from Vinnie Pasquantino in the first inning and another from Michael Massey to start the fourth. They added three runs on four hits in the third inning, including a two-run double from Maikel Garcia.

There were some positives for Skenes, notably seven strikeouts, 17 whiffs and a fastball that reached 97.9 mph, although it averaged 96 mph. He also retired the final seven hitters he faced. But it was far from his sharpest outing.

The Pirates hit Royals starter Randy Dobnak well throughout, although a baserunning mistake from Bryan Reynolds kept them from scoring in the first inning. Brandon Lowe started the scoring in the third inning with a two-run homer, his 32nd homer of the season.

Henry Davis ripped an opposite-field RBI double in the fourth. Grounders from Griffin and Ryan O’Hearn helped the Pirates tie the game and chase Dobnak.

Royals right-hander Nate Pearson struggled with his command in the seventh, hitting two batters and throwing a wild pitch to set up Horwitz’s two-run single.

It was over when …

Griffin added an RBI single against Pearson, extending the Pirates’ lead to three.

On the mound

Skenes was efficient in his six innings, which allowed him to keep going after he’d allowed five runs. He threw a first-pitch strike to 19 of the 24 hitters he faced and threw 89 pitches.

Yohan Ramirez earned the win with 1 1/3 innings following Brandon Eisert. Ramirez was brought in with two runners in scoring position, two outs and Bobby Witt Jr. at the plate, but Ramirez got him to ground out.

At the plate

The Pirates ripped 15 hits, including seven in 3 2/3 innings against Dobnak.

All but one Pirates starter recorded a hit. Reynolds doubled twice.

The Pirates left 10 on base, while the Royals left just four.

Bucs bites

— Right-hander Braxton Ashcraft was back in the Pirates clubhouse on Friday after seeking outside opinions for his right arm discomfort. He played catch out to 90 feet.

Manager Don Kelly did not have an update on him pregame, although a return this season seems unlikely as the Pirates near elimination.

— Gregory Soto pitched a scoreless ninth for the save, pitching around a two-out bloop double. The save, his 15th, was his first since Aug. 1.

Up next

The Pirates continue their three-game series with the Royals at 6:40 p.m. Saturday. Lefty Noah Cameron (9-8, 3.84 ERA) will start for Kansas City against right-hander Bubba Chandler (8-9, 4.28).