DETROIT — For the first time since 2018, the Pittsburgh Pirates have finished with a winning record.

The Pirates earned their 82nd win on Sunday afternoon, beating the Detroit Tigers 4-2 at Comerica Park. They’ll enter the offseason with a victory, although their 82-80 record left them short of their ultimate, postseason goal.

Manager Don Kelly liked the words “stepping stone.” There was progress in 2026, but the year didn’t end where they wanted it to.

“Regardless of what would have happened today, there’s hunger in there,” Kelly said, after reiterating that the playoff miss was disappointing. “It’s awesome to have a winning season. And, regardless of what would have happened today, we all saw the fight in the team, the way they competed every day and gave us everything they had. Going forward, really excited about what that means for the future of Pirates baseball.”

In some ways, it was a win that showcased 2027. Jared Jones excelled in his start, while Konnor Griffin went 2 for 4 with a homer and two RBIs. Every player who appeared in the game is under contract for next season.

“We’ve got good bones as a team,” said Jones, who threw four one-hit innings. “Obviously we want Brandon Lowe back in this clubhouse with us next year. If we can get that done in the offseason, that’s one hell of an offseason already.

“Like I said earlier this year, we just fought through injuries and they happened to be some of our best players. That’s when times got rough,” Jones continued. “We keep all of us in the field, I truly do think that we win 90, 95 games next year.”

Lowe did not appear in what could have been his final game in a Pirates uniform. He will become a free agent once the postseason concludes.

Jones finished September with a 0.93 ERA in five starts (29 innings), striking out 40. Only two Pirates in franchise history have done better over five or more starts in September: Zane Smith (0.66 in 1990) and Paul Skenes (0.75 in 2024). He ends the year with a 3.72 ERA in 101 2/3 innings, a clear success in his return from an internal brace surgery.

“Getting into the statistics, it was at the best season I’ve put together as a professional since I signed,” Jones said. “Doing that coming off of surgery is really cool. I don’t like giving myself a lot of props, but I feel like in this time, it’s kind of needed.”

Griffin led off the game with a homer against Tigers right-hander River Ryan, then added an RBI single in the fourth against right-hander Beau Brieske.

The homer was his first since June 26. He ends his age-20 season with a .272 batting average, six homers, 23 stolen bases and a .728 OPS.

“It's been a crazy year, but definitely learned a lot,” Griffin said. “To be able to finish it off the right way, I felt good with that. Pumped about the offseason to go to work and try to come back and be ready to rock next year.”

Billy Cook had an RBI double in the fourth, just his third extra-base hit of the season and first hit (and RBI) since July 19. Jake Mangum added an RBI single, part of a 2 for 3 day.

Jones retired the first six batters he faced, striking out four of them, before hitting Spencer Torkelson to start the third. He kept his no-hit bid intact until the fourth, when Kevin McGonigle grounded a two-out single up the middle. Kelly said postgame that Jones was slated for four innings, regardless of any no-hit bid.

Four of Jones’ five September starts were scoreless. He allowed just one hit in three of those five outings — so is a no-hitter coming in 2027?

“I think I set the standard a little bit too high,” Jones said with a smile, “but if I do get one, that’s going to be pretty special. You don’t take those things for granted. It’s been a really good month.”

Antwone Kelly pitched 2 1/3 innings in relief of Jones, cruising through the first two innings before running into trouble in the third. He allowed solo homers to McGonigle and Eduardo Valencia before Don Kelly turned to Lake Bachar in relief.

Mason Montgomery, a day after allowing his first runs since July, pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning with two strikeouts for his 18th save. Kelly said Montgomery asked to pitch after allowing the walk-off homer to Valencia on Saturday.

The season ended with an ABS challenge, as Valencia unsuccessfully tapped his helmet on the final pitch of the year.

Bucs bites

— Bryan Reynolds started the game and played three innings before Ronny Simon entered. With the appearance, Reynolds played in all 162 games for the first time in his career. He was one of just eight players league-wide to hit that milestone.

“He's the man,” Griffin said. “He's been awesome to be around, and for him to do that, that's a big accomplishment. I hope to do that for many years and try to follow in that footsteps.”

— Ryan O’Hearn started the game at designated hitter and went 0 for 3. His second at-bat was his 450th plate appearance of the season, earning him a $100,000 incentive. Kelly hit him leadoff on Saturday, giving him the best opportunity to hit the mark.

Up next

There’s uncertainty ahead, from routine team changes to collective bargaining negotiations, and no one knows when the Pirates will play baseball again. Spring training is scheduled for Feb. 19, 2027, but a lockout is looming.

There’s change ahead. Few know what lies ahead in 2027, but the Pirates ended 2026 with a win.

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