Royals snap Pirates' four-game winning streak

On Friday night, the Kansas City Royals achieved an 8-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, ending the Pirates' four-game winning streak. The Royals took control of the game with a six-run second inning, highlighted by Salvador Perez's two-run home run, which marked his 27th of the season and raised his RBI total to 103. Kyle Isbel also contributed significantly, hitting a solo homer in the fourth inning, extending the Royals' lead to 7-0. Alec Marsh was instrumental on the mound, striking out 11 batters over 5 1/3 innings, earning his first win since July 10. The Royals had recently faced challenges, losing two of three games against the Yankees earlier in the week, but this victory allowed them to maintain a 1.5-game lead over Minnesota for the second American League wild card spot. The win also brought them closer to the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central standings. Luis Ortiz, the Pirates' starting pitcher, struggled, allowing seven runs—four earned—over four innings, which included a throwing error that contributed to the Royals' scoring surge. Adam Frazier managed to hit a solo home run for the Pirates in the eighth inning, but it was not enough to change the outcome of the game. In terms of player updates, the Royals are looking forward to the potential return of RHP Michael Lorenzen, who is recovering from a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, the Pirates are uncertain about the return of 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes due to lower back inflammation. The teams are set to face off again with Royals RHP Michael Wacha scheduled to pitch against Pirates RHP Mitch Keller on Saturday.