BOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Pirates host the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday to open a three-game series. Pittsburgh has gone 34-29 at home and 52-73 overall. Pirates pitchers have a collective 4.04 ERA, which ranks eighth in the NL.

TORONTO — The tying run stood on deck in Sunday’s eighth inning as the Toronto Blue Jays threatened yet another comeback. Toronto’s history of late-game heroics gave fans hope — even down four runs, they slid forward in their seats. This time, though, Alejandro Kirk’s lazy foul fly found a Texas Rangers glove and hope finally faded away.