Lowe’s Infield Single Lifts Pirates Past Diamondbacks in Extra Innings

Decisive Moment

Mason Montgomery secured the victory for the Pittsburgh Pirates with a scoreless tenth inning, preserving a 3-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The winning pitcher improved his record to 4-3, while Taylor Clarke took the loss, dropping to 2-2. The game’s turning point arrived in the bottom of the tenth when Brandon Lowe reached on an infield single to first base.

This hit allowed Ke'Bryan Cook to cross home plate, providing the decisive run that separated the two teams after they had traded leads throughout the contest.

Scoring Sequence

Arizona opened the scoring in the sixth inning against Pirates starter Mitch Keller. Chris Davis doubled to right field, driving in Corbin Carroll and Geraldo Perdomo. The Diamondbacks’ lead was quickly shortened later in the same frame when Lowe reached on an infield single to shortstop, allowing Jake Mangum to score.

The tie was restored in the eighth inning when Jared Reynolds doubled to center field, bringing Lowe home from second base.

Despite the back-and-forth nature of the game, neither team could break through until extra innings. Pittsburgh’s offense remained quiet after the sixth inning until Lowe’s hit in the tenth provided the final margin. The Diamondbacks managed to tie the game at 2-2 in the eighth, but their pitching staff could not hold the lead when the Pirates attacked in the bottom of the tenth.

Pitching Performance

Merrill Kelly started for Arizona, delivering five and two-thirds innings of work. He allowed four hits and one walk while striking out six batters, maintaining a scoreless outing until he was relieved. Juan Morillo pitched 1.1 innings with two strikeouts, but Jonathan Loaisiga surrendered the tying run in his inning of work, taking the blown save.

Taylor Clarke finished the game for Arizona, allowing three hits over 1.1 innings before taking the loss.

For Pittsburgh, Mitch Keller started and gave up two earned runs on six hits over five and one-third innings, recording four strikeouts. Yohan Ramirez pitched 1.2 innings of relief, followed by Ron Marinaccio who threw a perfect inning. Gregory Soto closed out the ninth with two strikeouts before Montgomery entered in the tenth to secure the win.

Final Details

The game was played at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in front of 15,412 spectators on Monday, July 27, 2026. The victory moves the Pirates to a 55-52 record, while the Diamondbacks fall to 55-52. No additional home runs were hit during the contest, which remained defined by timely hitting and relief pitching.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401816280