Witt went 2 for 3 and scored twice to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. Witt hit his 13th homer, a two-run shot the opposite way to right-center field off reliever Chase Shugart to give the Royals a 6-2 lead in the fourth. He added a sacrifice fly in the sixth.

Alexander Canario takes the place of Cruz and will bat sixth in the lineup for the Pirates. This marks Canario's first start for the Pirates since the series opener vs. the New York Mets at PNC Park on June 27, which was also the last time Cruz didn't start. It is also the ninth start and 12th game for Canario in center field.

Bobby Witt. Jr. clubbed a two-run homer and had three RBIs, as Kansas City went deep four times, while rookie Noah Cameron allowed two runs over seven strong innings of the Royals' 9-3 home win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night.