Pirates Earn Series Win Over Reds on Grandal’s Big Blast

PITTSBURGH — Yasmani Grandal hit a two-run walk-off homer to lift the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 4-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on Sunday afternoon to cap off a series win.

Recap

After Bryan De La Cruz was hit by a pitch with one out in the bottom of the ninth, Grandal belted a home run just over the right field fence off of Reds closer Alexis Díaz. Grandal was behind in the count 1-2 at the time but turned on a four-seamer left up in the zone.

GRANDAL CALLED GAME. 👏 pic.twitter.com/jATqorOmOq

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 25, 2024

It marked the third time in his last four games that Grandal has connected on a home run, including back-to-back games with a home run after going deep in the series opener on Thursday.

With the win, the Pirates (62-68) took three of four from the Reds (63-68) to start a seven-game homestand.

Joey Bart got the Pirates on the board with an RBI groundout in the first but walked back to the dugout accompanied by the team’s medical staff. Bart was pinch hit for by Connor Joe after exiting the game with left hamstring discomfort.

Two innings later, Bryan Reynolds put the Pirates ahead 2-0 with a run-scoring single to center field. Scoring on the play was Michael A. Taylor, who snapped an 0-for-17 slump with a leadoff single. 

Luis Ortiz overcame some early wildness and delivered six-shutout innings for the Pirates before the bullpen took over. 

Kyle Nicolas relieved Ortiz and allowed a one-out double to set up the Reds with runners on second and third with one out. Jalen Beeks came in for Nicolas after the double and allowed an RBI-single to Elly De La Cruz. After the base hit, TJ Friedl laid down a bunt which brought home another run. Beeks bobbled the ball, allowing Friedl to reach to keep the bases loaded. 

With one out, Beeks had Spencer Steer down in the count 0-2 but ended up walking the Reds’ No. 5 hitter to push across another run. 

Dennis Santana was the third Pirates’ pitcher of the inning and retired both batters he faced to prevent further damage.

Key Moment

After the two previous relievers struggled in the inning, Santana came up huge and ensured the Pirates remained down one run when the deficit could have been much greater.

Star of the Game

Ortiz delivered one of his best starts of the season. It was a needed strong outing for the right-hander, who had a 6.26 ERA over his last five starts. 

Stat to Know

Grandal’s walk-off was the seventh walk-off hit of his career and his first since 2021. It was the fourth time he hit a walk-off home run. 

Noteworthy

• Isiah Kiner-Falefa finished with three hits, a double and a run. Oneil Cruz had two hits and a stolen base.
• Aroldis Chapman (5-4) was the winning pitcher after throwing a scoreless ninth inning.
• The Pirates placed RHP Hunter Stratton on the 60-day injured list with a rupture of his left patella tendon. LHP Brady Feigl was selected from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Up Next

The Pirates’ homestand continues against the Chicago Cubs on Monday night. Mitch Keller (11-7, 3.76 ERA) will be on the mound against former Pirates starter Jameson Taillon (8-8, 3.77 ERA). First pitch: 6:40 ET.