Falter Rebounds But Outdueled by Lodolo in Pirates’ Loss to Reds

PITTSBURGH — Bailey Falter threw seven strong innings after back-to-back rough outings but was outdueled by Cincinnati Reds starter Nick Lodolo in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2-1 loss at PNC Park on Tuesday night. 

In his first two starts of June, Falter (3-5) worked a total of eight innings and allowed eight runs on 16 hits. On Tuesday, however, he efficiently worked through his outing and looked much more like the pitcher he was through the end of May. 

Falter dealt with traffic on the bases but was assisted by a 5-4-3 double play in each of the first three innings and a Jason Delay caught stealing of Jake Fraley in the third to keep the game locked in a scoreless tie. 

The Reds (35-38) finally took advantage of another chance against Falter in the fifth. Jonathan India doubled to deep center field and Santiago Espinal followed with a two-run home run to left field to give Cincinnati a 2-0 lead. 

Those were the only two runs the Reds scored in Falter’s seven innings. The Pirates’ left-hander allowed seven hits, walked two and struck out three batters. 

Lodolo (8-2), who was drafted by the Pirates out of high school in 2016 but did not sign, held Pittsburgh to one run across seven innings. The left-hander held the Pirates (35-38) to three hits through the first six innings but Ke’Bryan Hayes connected on a solo home run to left field to cut the Reds’ lead in half.

KE'BRYAN HAYES#VotePirates ➡️ https://t.co/F8oWS9eJaw pic.twitter.com/5RvGFtNXOk

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) June 19, 2024

Bryan Reynolds extended his hitting streak to 16 games with an infield single in the first inning. He doubled in his second at-bat and finished the night 2 for 4. His 16-game hitting streak is the longest active streak in the majors. 

Reynolds lined a ball to deep center in the eighth inning with one out and Andrew McCutchen standing on first base. McCutchen broke from first on contact and Reds center fielder Stuart Fairchild raced back to make the catch and doubled up McCutchen off first base.

Up Next

It’ll be a battle of tough right-handers in the series finale on Wednesday afternoon as Mitch Keller (8-4, 3.36 ERA) duels with Hunter Greene (5-2, 3.61 ERA). First pitch: 12:35 ET.