Pirates Beat Reds in Rubber Match But Tie Unwanted Record

PITTSBURGH — Although they defeated the Cincinnati Reds 3-1 at PNC Park on Wednesday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Pirates tied an MLB record they don’t want their name attached to.

By scoring three runs, the Pirates have gone 26-straight games of scoring four runs or fewer since scoring nine runs against the Angels in Los Angeles on Apr. 22.

How We Got There

For the second time in as many games, Bryan Reynolds put the Pirates (17-33) ahead 1-0. His first-inning sac fly plated Oneil Cruz for an early lead.

The Reds (25-26) tied the game 1-1 in the top of the third when Austin Hays capped off a two-out rally with an RBI single.

With two on and one out in the fourth, Henry Davis ripped an RBI single to left field to put the Pirates back out in front. 

Adam Frazier provided an insurance run for the Pirates when he followed a Ke’Bryan Hayes double with an RBI single. 

Pirates starter Andrew Heaney (3-3) held the Reds to one run in 5.0 innings for his third win of the season. Dennis Santana converted his fifth to give Pittsburgh its fifth series win of the season. 

Key Moment

Left fielder Tommy Pham, shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and catcher Henry Davis combined on a game-saving relay in the sixth. Spencer Steer tried scoring the tying run on Tyler Stephenson’s double but was thrown out on a close play at home. 

Henry Davis with the smooth tag 👀 pic.twitter.com/dmN0M8lEGx

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 21, 2025

Star of the Game

Henry Davis reached base safely in all three of his plate appearances, drove in the game-winning run and helped prevent a run in the sixth.

Notable Performances

• Andrew Heaney: 5.0 innings, three hits, one run, two walks, four strikeouts, 97 pitches/64 strikes
• Henry Davis: 2 for 2, one RBI, one walk
• Adam Frazier: 2 for 4, one RBI
• Tommy Pham: 2 for 4

Stat to Know

The Pirates are the first team since the 1969 California Angels to go 26-straight games of scoring four runs or fewer. The only other team to do so was the Boston Braves, who did so three times (1906, 1918-19, 1931).

Noteworthy

• Henry Davis recorded his first multi-hit game since going 2 for 3 in Philadelphia last year on Apr. 12.
• RHP Jared Jones underwent eblow surgery to repair his UCL and is out 10-12 months.. INF Enmanuel Valdez underwent surgery on his dislocated left shoulder and will also miss the rest of the season.
• The Pirates optioned RHP Carmen Mlodzinski to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Up Next

The Pirates’ homestand will continue against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday night. RHP Mike Burrows will make his season debut for Pittsburgh. The Brewers have yet to announce a starting pitcher. First pitch: 6:40 p.m. ET.