Field Level Media
Apr 27, 2021
Pinch-hitter Wilmer Difo blooped a hit into short left field in the seventh inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Kansas City Royals 2-1 Tuesday night in Pittsburgh. Colin Moran had three hits and an RBI for the Pirates.
The Royals managed just four hits off four Pittsburgh pitchers.
The loss snapped Kansas City's five-game winning streak and was just their third road loss of the season. It was also the Royals first one-run loss of the season after six wins.
Duane Underwood Jr. (1-0) earned the win with a perfect inning of relief. He struck out two. Richard Rodriguez retired the side in order in the ninth for his fourth save in as many chances.
Tyler Anderson had his best start of the season for the Pirates, though he didn't factor in the decision. He allowed just one run on three hits through six innings. He walked two and struck out five.
Jakob Junis (1-1) was the hard-luck loser for Kansas City. He gave up two runs on six singles in 6 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out nine, one off his career best.
The Pirates scored in the first on an RBI single by Moran. Bryan Reynolds worked a two-out walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Moran singled to center and Reynolds beat Michael A. Taylor's throw to the plate.
The Royals manufactured a run to even the score in the third. Nicky Lopez walked and was bunted to second by Junis. Whit Merrifield sent him to the third with a ground ball to the right side. Carlos Santana then beat out an infield hit, driving in Lopez.
At that point, Junis was cruising. After allowing two base hits to start the second, he retired the next 14 batters he faced before Moran singled with two outs in the sixth.
Junis put two runners on base in the seventh before being replaced. Difo greeted Scott Barlow with a bloop single into short left field, putting the Pirates up 2-1.
--Field Level Media