Pirates blank Tigers 2-0 on the night Justin Verlander is honored

The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Detroit Tigers 2-0 in the September 26, 2026 game, scoring two runs on five hits with one error, while the Tigers were held scoreless on four hits with no errors. After this game, the Pirates’ record moved to 81-79, while the Tigers’ fell to 75-85.

As Bleacher Report reports, the decisive moment was Jacob Gonzalez’s solo home run in the fifth inning, which made it 2-0.

The game took place on a special day for Detroit: it was Justin Verlander’s final start of the regular season. In the bottom of the fifth, Zach McKinstry recorded his ninth outfield assist, throwing out Henry Davis at third base.

The Tigers had few offensive chances: Eduardo Valencia was struck out in the fifth, Kevin McGonigle grounded into a force out that led to an out at second, and Hao-Yu Lee drew a walk. The Pirates’ offense, meanwhile, leaned mostly on Gonzalez’s decisive hit, while the defense held firm to deny the tying run.

The game will be remembered not only for the result but for closing a chapter in Verlander’s career — a moment that drew the attention of fans and teams alike, according to Bleacher Report.