The Kansas City Royals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-3 last night in the opening game of their three-game series.
The Pirates three runs ended a three-game scoreless streak. The streak had lasted 30 innings until Tommy Pham hit a two-run home run in the third inning. That briefly gave the Bucs a 2-1 lead, but the Royals scored three runs in the bottom of that inning, knocking starting pitcher Andrew Heaney from the game. He allowed four runs on six hits. His record fell to 4-8 with a 4.41 ERA. Reliever Chase Shugart allowed four runs over the next 2-2/3rd innings.
The Royals had four home runs and seven extra-base hits in the game.
The Pirates have now lost four games in a row. They play the Royals again tonight at 7:45pm. Pre-game on WISR begins at 7:15pm.
Mitch Keller will start for the Bucs. He is 3-10 this season with a 3.64 ERA.
The Pirates are now 12-33 on the road this season, third-worst in baseball. They are 26-21 at home.