The Kansas City Royals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-3 in the opening game of their three-game series, snapping the Pirates' four-game winning streak. Key performances included Salvador Perez and Kyle Isbel, who each hit home runs and drove in two runs, while Alec Marsh struck out 11 batters over 5 1/3 innings. The Royals capitalized on a six-run second inning to secure their lead, with Perez's two-run homer being a highlight. The Pirates, who have struggled since early August, were unable to mount a significant comeback. This win puts the Royals in a stronger position for the AL wild card, pulling them closer to the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central standings. Additionally, the series has a charitable aspect, with QuikTrip and Sheetz pledging donations to respective charities based on the series outcome.