Michael Chavis was the hero of the night on Friday, delivering the walk-off game-winning hit as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds by a 5-4 score at PNC Park.
Both starters went deep in Friday’s game. Graham Ashcraft lasted 6.2 innings for Cincinnati, giving up three runs on nine hits. Bryse Wilson gave up three runs on five hits in seven innings. Neither starter earned a decision, which left it up the bullpens to decide the outcome. Wil Crowe earned the victory while Joel Kuhnel was tagged both a blown save and the loss.
A two-run homerun by Nick Senzel in the second inning put the Reds in front early, and they added another run on a solo homerun by TJ Friedl. Pittsburgh got on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning thanks to a wild pitch by Ashcraft.
The Bucs tied the game in the seventh with a pair of runs. A sacrifice fly by Kevin Newman made it 3-2, which was followed later in the inning by a RBI single by Ben Gamel.
Kyle Farmer’s single in the eighth broke the 3-3 tie. But the Pirates brought home the victory with a dramatic ninth inning. Newman’s double scored Bligh Madris to tie the game, and Chavis delivered the game-winning RBI single to left, bringing home Newman to walk it off.
There is no denying what a horrendous stretch the Pirates have been on virtually since the All-Star break. The triumphs are few and far between, so we need to enjoy the victories when we get them. This was a nice come-from-behind victory for Pittsburgh, and it puts them in a nice position to potentially win this series over the Reds.
The two teams will match up again on Saturday at PNC Park. Justin Dunn will take the mound for Cincinnati against Tyler Beede for Pittsburgh.
Record vs. Reds: 5-5
Record vs. N.L. Central: 22-29
Record at Home: 26-31
Overall Record: 47-72
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
