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Rafael Flores Jr. news
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The gist
Rafael Flores Jr. homered for the third time in two days, powering the Pirates to an 8-4 win over the Red Sox. The rookie's hot streak is fueling Pittsburgh's first.
Background
Rafael Flores Jr. was acquired by the Pirates from the Yankees at the 2025 Trade Deadline as part of the package for closer David Bednar. He struggled to acclimate, with a short stint in June and a concussion in late July, but has recently found consistency in his routine, leading to a power surge. His performance has been instrumental in the Pirates' offensive turnaround.
How it unfolded
- Aug 14, 2026Flores hit two home runs in a 13-1 victory at Miami, starting his streak.
- Aug 14, 2026In the series opener against the Red Sox, Flores hit a solo homer in the second inning and added an RBI single, finishing 3-for-4 with 14 total bases over his last two games.
- Aug 19, 2026Flores tied the game in the ninth inning with a home run, and Brandon Lowe hit a walk-off homer to beat the Tigers 4-3.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- The Pirates said Nick Gonzales is day-to-day after being hit on the helmet by a pitch.
- Analysts
- Flores' power surge is attributed to a more consistent routine, including eating and lifting, rather than a swing change.