Under the blazing heat at Great American Ball Park, the Cincinnati Reds narrowly clinched a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The win advanced the Reds to an 80-78 record, securing their spot as third in the NL Central division. On the other hand, the Pirates’ loss dropped them to a 69-89 record, solidifying their position at the bottom of the division.
With the temperature soaring to 100 degrees, fans watched as the Reds managed to out-hit the Pirates with a total of 10 hits compared to the Pirates’ 3. Both teams exhibited strong pitching, but it was Cincinnati’s Nick Lodolo who shone brightly on the mound. Lodolo pitched a commendable 6.33 innings, striking out 12 batters, and allowing just two hits without surrendering any runs.
Reds’ Offensive Spark
The Reds’ offense came alive in the fifth inning, where they managed to score their only two runs of the game. TJ Friedl and Noelvi Marte were pivotal to this success, with Friedl securing two hits and Marte contributing a run. Friedl’s double and Marte’s RBI showcased the Reds’ ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Gavin Lux also played a critical role, driving in one of the runs, while providing steady defense throughout the game. His performance was instrumental in keeping the Reds ahead during the middle innings. Although the Reds missed further scoring chances, their early runs proved sufficient to claim the victory.
On the pitching side for the Reds, Graham Ashcraft provided solid relief work after Lodolo’s exit, maintaining the slim lead. Tony Santillan faced some turbulence, allowing the Pirates’ lone run, but ultimately Emilio Pagán sealed the deal in the ninth inning, securing the win without conceding another hit.
Pirates’ Late Effort
The Pirates struggled offensively throughout much of the game, with only three hits to show by the end. Spencer Horwitz made an impact with a double and scored the Pirates’ sole run in the eighth inning. Despite Horwitz’s efforts, Pittsburgh’s bats were largely silent, unable to mount a significant threat against Cincinnati’s pitching.
Braxton Ashcraft took the loss for the Pirates, allowing two earned runs over 4.33 innings. Despite the defeat, Ashcraft showcased his potential with five strikeouts, but Cincinnati’s timely hits proved decisive. Kyle Nicolas and Carmen Mlodzinski followed Ashcraft on the mound, keeping the Reds at bay for the remainder of the game.
In the final innings, the Pirates showed resilience by putting a run on the board. Nick Yorke managed to drive in Horwitz with an RBI, keeping the game close and adding some late suspense for the fans. However, the late surge wasn’t enough to overcome the Reds’ earlier lead.
Looking Ahead
With the season winding down, the Reds will look to continue building momentum as they head to Milwaukee to face the Brewers. Cincinnati’s manager Terry Francona will hope to see his team maintain their strong home performance during the upcoming road series. With a close race in the NL Central, every win remains crucial for positioning.
As for the Pirates, they will travel to Truist Park to take on the Atlanta Braves, where they hope to finish the season on a high note despite being out of playoff contention. Manager Don Kelly will be looking to his players for positive takeaways and development as they prepare for future seasons.
The game marked a testament to both teams’ pitching strengths, with Lodolo particularly impressive for the Reds. His performance, coupled with timely hitting, highlighted Cincinnati’s potential as they wrap up the regular season. Meanwhile, the Pirates will focus on turning narrow losses into wins as they plan for the next season.
