Konnor Griffin has 4 hits as the Pirates rally past the Royals to reach .500

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin delivered a stellar performance, hitting four times as the team rallied past the Kansas City Royals 8-5 on Friday night. Brandon Lowe added to the Pirates' offensive surge with his 32nd career home run. This victory moved the Pirates back to a .500 record (77-77) in their quest for the franchise's first winning season since 2018.

The 20-year-old Griffin, who had missed two months due to a left-hand injury, had the third four-hit game of his young career. His RBI single in the seventh inning sealed a three-run rally, propelling the Pirates to a crucial win. Yohan Ramirez (7-4) shut down the Royals in relief, retiring all four batters he faced.

Pittsburgh overcame an early four-run deficit to claim the hard-fought victory. The Pirates utilized 15 hits against Kansas City, showcasing their resilience and determination. However, the win came at a cost for Pirates ace Paul Skenes, who allowed five runs over six innings, raising his ERA to 3.91, nearly double his 1.97 ERA from the previous season.