Cruz(ing) along, Pirates Complete Come Back, Win 8-6

The magical Oneil Cruz call-up is complete after the Pirates come back and beat the Reds 8-6. Pittsburgh was down 5-0 at one point, and for the final time of the year, the Pirates have a chance to achieve the sweep on Sunday.

Kranick’s final start on the year left you wanting more from the young man. The first three innings were slightly above average despite giving up two runs (one earned). 

The fourth inning is where things blew up for Kranick; after a two-run bomb from Eugenio Suarez coupled with a rising pitch count, he would leave the game after four innings of work and on the hook for the loss down 4-0. 

Combined by the efforts of Sam Howard and Nick Mears, the Pirates relinquished the lead and allowed the game to be knotted up at six apiece in the 6th inning.

Chris Stratton shut the door and secured yet another chance to sweep a team on Sunday, it indeed would be fitting.  

The offense was running cold through the first four innings; that is until Oneil Cruz started the party; Cruz registered his first major league hit, RBI, and run scored thanks to a Wilmer Difo 2 RBI triple. Just like that, the Pirates were back in it down 5-4.

Just Cruzin' pic.twitter.com/Mcej0mu5Y7

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) October 3, 2021

Let's dance with Difo! pic.twitter.com/JDH20LYclR

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) October 3, 2021

The crazy 5th inning comeback steamrolled the Reds as Michael Chavis blistered a two-run double down the line giving the Pirates a 6-5 lead. 

Chavis down the line! pic.twitter.com/ok6IAqK53x

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) October 3, 2021

Bryan Reynolds continued to show why he is a damn good hitter and hit his 8th triple of the year, driving in Yoshi Tsutsugo giving the Pirates a 7-6 lead.

Just another Runnin' Reynolds highlight. pic.twitter.com/0tw1SyCyqT

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) October 3, 2021

Takeaways

Cruzin Along- Oneil Cruz made his major league debut, and man did it not look like it. The young man went 2-, hit the hardest ball as a Pirate in the Statcast era, and he’s just getting started. 

Blank Check- Obviously, you aren’t going to hand Bryan Reynolds a blank check, but Reynolds secured a .300 season, showed that he is a part of this future, and deserves to get the Cutch treatment when the time is right.

Finishing Strong- The Pirates may be a 100 loss team, but this final series against the Reds showed a lot to be hopeful for; young guns showed off, Reynolds showed 2020 was a fluke (all year), and the team vibe seems better than it ever did with Clint Hurdle.