After a successful start to this road trip in Chicago, the Pittsburgh Pirates headed southeast to begin a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark Friday night. Cincinnati is still in the hunt for a Wild Card spot in the playoffs, but Pittsburgh has played well against the Reds this season and looked to play spoiler over the course of these three games.
Jonathan India plated the first run of the game when he hit a sac fly to score Elly De La Cruz. Ke’Bryan Hayes tied the game with a 374 ft. solo home run to right center in the fourth. One inning later Henry Davis gave the Pirates the lead with a 370 ft. solo dinger to left. The Reds took the lead back in the bottom of the inning with two runs.
Solo home runs by Jared Triolo and Endy Rodriguez in the sixth gave Pittsburgh back the lead. It would be short lived as TJ Friedl would give Cincinnati back a one run lead with a two-run homer to center. Bryan Reynolds tied the game with an RBI single and gave the Pirates the lead when he scored on a fielder’s choice hit by Miguel Andujar. A sac fly by Jack Suwinski in the ninth gave Pittsburgh an insurance run.
Each team would use seven pitchers over the course of the game. The Pirates arms would combine to allow five runs on seven hits with seven walks and ten strikeouts. Hunter Stratton picked up his first win of the year, while David Bednar earned his 37th save. The loss would go to Ian Gibaut who allowed two runs on three hits with a walk and a strikeout, while collecting two outs in the seventh.
This is the third straight win for Pittsburgh on this road trip as they try to play spoiler for teams needing wins in order to make the playoffs. The Pirates have yet to announce a starter for Saturday’s contest, while the Reds are set to start Connor Phillips. First pitch is set for 6:40pm.
Record vs. Reds: 7-4
Record vs. N.L. Central: 24-26
Record on the Road: 35-41
Overall Record: 73-81
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
