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Isiah Kiner-Falefa has 3 hits to lead Pirates past Royals 4-3, avoid series sweep

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Isiah Kiner-Falefa has 3 hits to lead Pirates past Royals 4-3, avoid series sweep
Sport

Sport

Isiah Kiner-Falefa has 3 hits to lead Pirates past Royals 4-3, avoid series sweep

2024-09-16 04:39 Last Updated At:04:40

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Isiah Kiner-Falefa had three hits, including a go-ahead single in the fifth inning, as the Pittsburgh Pirates avoided a three-game sweep with a 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

Billy Cook lined a single to left to start the fifth and scored from first on a hit and run when Kiner-Falefa shot one to center past a diving Bobby Witt Jr. at short to put the Pirates ahead 3-2. Kiner-Falefa also singled in the first and sixth innings.

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Kansas City Royals' Michael Massey, right, is greeted by Maikel Garcia (11) after scoring on a sacrifice fly by Yuli Gurriel off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones during the second inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Kansas City Royals' Michael Massey, right, is greeted by Maikel Garcia (11) after scoring on a sacrifice fly by Yuli Gurriel off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones during the second inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Kansas City Royals' Tommy Pham, front, slides safely into third with a triple as the relay throw gets past Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jared Triolo, back, during the third inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Kansas City Royals' Tommy Pham, front, slides safely into third with a triple as the relay throw gets past Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jared Triolo, back, during the third inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Brady Singer delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Brady Singer delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Joey Bart, left, tags out Kansas City Royals' Tommy Pham, right, who was attempting to score from third base on a flyout to right field by Bobby Witt Jr. during the third inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Joey Bart, left, tags out Kansas City Royals' Tommy Pham, right, who was attempting to score from third base on a flyout to right field by Bobby Witt Jr. during the third inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. In honor of Roberto Clemente Day all Pirates wore No. 21. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. In honor of Roberto Clemente Day all Pirates wore No. 21. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Isiah Kiner-Falefa, lower right, scores on a double by Bryan Reynolds past Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez, left, with umpire Ryan Wills, upper right, watching the play during the first inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Isiah Kiner-Falefa, lower right, scores on a double by Bryan Reynolds past Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez, left, with umpire Ryan Wills, upper right, watching the play during the first inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Billy Cook takes his position in right field at PNC Park during a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. A No. 21 was cut into right field and all Pirates wore the uniform number in honor of Roberto Clemente Day. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Billy Cook takes his position in right field at PNC Park during a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. A No. 21 was cut into right field and all Pirates wore the uniform number in honor of Roberto Clemente Day. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jared Jones delivers during the third inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jared Jones delivers during the third inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Kansas City's Brady Singer (9-11), who gave up four runs on six hits and four walks with six strikeouts in five innings, later walked Rowdy Tellez with the bases loaded to bring the Pittsburgh lead to 4-2.

Carmen Mlodzinski (3-5) pitched a perfect fifth inning in relief of Pirates starter Jared Jones, who allowed two runs and six hits in the first four. Aroldis Chapman struck out one in a perfect ninth for his ninth save.

The Royals, four games back of first-place Cleveland in the AL Central, had the bases loaded with two outs in the sixth. Colin Holderman walked Witt Jr. to bring in a run but Dennis Santana entered to get Salvador Perez to fly out and limit the damage.

Bryan Reynolds gave the Pirates an initial lead on a double into the left-field corner after Kiner-Falefa led off the first with a base hit.

Yuli Gurriel tied it 1-1 on a sacrifice fly in the second after Kansas City started the inning with a Paul DeJong single between two walks.

Tommy Pham opened the third with a triple off the top of the Clemente Wall in right. Witt Jr. flew out to Cook, whose throw home from right field beat Pham to preserve the tie.

Gurriel and Maikel Garcia hit consecutive one-out doubles to put the Royals ahead 2-1 the next inning.

Oneil Cruz led off the Pirates’ half of the fourth with a single and scored the tying run when Nick Gonzales grounded to third with the bases loaded.

UP NEXT

Royals: RHP Seth Lugo (16-8, 2.94 ERA) will start Monday to open a three-game home series against the Tigers. Detroit has not announced a starter.

Pirates: Rookie RHP Paul Skenes (10-2, 2.10) will take the mound Monday to start a four-game series in St. Louis, opposite Cardinals RHP Andre Pallante (6-8, 4.13).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Kansas City Royals' Michael Massey, right, is greeted by Maikel Garcia (11) after scoring on a sacrifice fly by Yuli Gurriel off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones during the second inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Kansas City Royals' Michael Massey, right, is greeted by Maikel Garcia (11) after scoring on a sacrifice fly by Yuli Gurriel off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones during the second inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Kansas City Royals' Tommy Pham, front, slides safely into third with a triple as the relay throw gets past Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jared Triolo, back, during the third inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Kansas City Royals' Tommy Pham, front, slides safely into third with a triple as the relay throw gets past Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jared Triolo, back, during the third inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Brady Singer delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Brady Singer delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Joey Bart, left, tags out Kansas City Royals' Tommy Pham, right, who was attempting to score from third base on a flyout to right field by Bobby Witt Jr. during the third inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Joey Bart, left, tags out Kansas City Royals' Tommy Pham, right, who was attempting to score from third base on a flyout to right field by Bobby Witt Jr. during the third inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. In honor of Roberto Clemente Day all Pirates wore No. 21. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. In honor of Roberto Clemente Day all Pirates wore No. 21. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Isiah Kiner-Falefa, lower right, scores on a double by Bryan Reynolds past Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez, left, with umpire Ryan Wills, upper right, watching the play during the first inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Isiah Kiner-Falefa, lower right, scores on a double by Bryan Reynolds past Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez, left, with umpire Ryan Wills, upper right, watching the play during the first inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Billy Cook takes his position in right field at PNC Park during a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. A No. 21 was cut into right field and all Pirates wore the uniform number in honor of Roberto Clemente Day. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Billy Cook takes his position in right field at PNC Park during a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. A No. 21 was cut into right field and all Pirates wore the uniform number in honor of Roberto Clemente Day. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jared Jones delivers during the third inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jared Jones delivers during the third inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump dance at the Starlight Ball, part of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump dance at the Starlight Ball, part of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump dance at the Starlight Ball, part of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump dance at the Starlight Ball, part of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump dance at the Starlight Ball, part of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump dance at the Starlight Ball, part of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump dance at the Starlight Ball, part of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance, dance with other family members at the Starlight Ball, part of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance, dance with other family members at the Starlight Ball, part of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump dance at the Starlight Ball, part of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump dance at the Starlight Ball, part of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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