Pinch-hitter Wilmer Difo delivered the go-ahead single in the seventh inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat Kansas City 2-1 on Tuesday night to end the Royals’ five-game winning streak.
Jacob Stallings singled off Jakob Junis (1-1) leading off the seventh and took third on Kevin Newman’s one-out single with a hit-and-run on.
Difo, a switch-hitter, batted for pitcher Duane Underwood Jr., and right-hander Scott Barlow relieved. Difo looped a single that dropped in front of a sliding Michael A. Taylor in center.
Junis gave up two runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings with nine strikeouts and one walk.
Salvador Pérez was in the lineup a day after being taken out of the game after the top of the sixth inning with a strained right thumb.
Royals LHP Mike Minor (2-1, 4.64 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against RHP Mitch Keller (1-2, 7.16) on Wednesday night in the finale of the two-game series at 5:35.