Miguel Andújar’s Clutch Double Lifts Pirates To 4-1 Win Over Reds

PITTSBURGH — Miguel Andújar is making a pretty good impression with his new ballclub.

Andújar’s bases clearing double in the seventh inning lifted the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 4-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on Tuesday night.

“I’m very happy,” Andújar said on the big hit. “I feel happy for that swing in that moment for the team.”

After Oneil Cruz started the frame with a base hit, Bryan Reynolds and Jack Suwinski each drew walks to load the bases with one out for Andújar.

The 27-year-old lined one 105.7 mph off the fence in front of the bullpen. It marked Andújar’s first three-RBI game since a Sept. 27 game against the Rays in 2018.

With the win, the Bucs have won three of their last four games and have taken six straight against Cincinnati.

The Reds (60-95) opened the game’s scoring when Jonathan India scored from third on a wild pitch from Mitch Keller.

Mitch Keller battled control issues throughout his outing but was able to keep the Pirates (58-97) in the ball game.

On two occasions, once in the third inning and once in the fifth, Keller retired Aristides Aquino with the bases loaded to end the inning. In all, Keller stranded eight runners on base.

Keller worked five innings, allowed one run on five hits, walked three and struck out five. Keller also plunked two batters in the third inning.

“I kind of got a little bit lucky getting out of some of that stuff I put myself in,” said Keller. “At the end of the day, kept us in it and we ended up getting a win so that’s all that really matters.”

The Pirates tied the game 1-1 in the third inning when Ji-hwan Bae scored on a double play ball off the bat of Reynolds.

After a four-hit performance on Monday, Cruz collected two more hits in this one. Bae also had a pair of hits and was on base three times.

David Bednar closed it out for the Bucs, picking up his 18th save on the year and first since July 23 against the Marlins. Wil Crowe (6-10) picked up the win.

“Really encouraging. Stuff played, thought the ball came out of his hand well,” manager Derek Shelton said on Bednar. “He’s just getting back to moving down the mound the way we saw him before the injury which is extremely encouraging.”

Reds starter Hunter Greene had the Pirates’ number in this one. The rookie right-hander only surrendered one unearned run against the Bucs over six innings.

Greene’s 10 strikeouts were the second-most he’s had in a game in his career.

The Pirates and Reds will meet for the final time in 2022 on Wednesday afternoon at 12:35. Bryse Wilson (3-9, 5.95 ERA) will be on the mound for the Bucs while Luis Cessa (4-4, 4.78 ERA) will pitch for Cincinnati.