Pirates

Pirates Preview: Bucs Going for Series Win Over Reds

Published

2 months ago

August 25, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates were crushed 10-2 by the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on Saturday night.

Starting pitcher Jake Woodford struggled in the loss and Rowdy Tellez hit a mammoth home run and pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

After an ugly loss on, the Pirates (61-68) will try and earn a series win against the division-rival Reds (63-67) in the series finale on Sunday.

First pitch is set for 1:35 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Partly sunny skies with a high temperature of 90 degrees. Winds WNW at 6-7 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Luis Ortiz (5-4, 3.56 ERA)

Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager got the better of Luis Ortiz in his last start. Ortiz allowed four runs on two homers — both of which came against Seager — and struck out seven betters in six innings.

It’s been a rough go of it of late for Ortiz, who has a 6.26 ERA and has allowed nine home runs in 27.1 innings across his last five starts.

Because of his rough patch, Ortiz’s ERA has climbed from 2.57 on June 25 to 3.56 entering Sunday’s start.

In three career appearances against the Reds, Ortiz is 1-0 with a 2.35 ERA. He threw six-strong innings against the Reds on June 26.

The Cincinnati Reds Will Send Out RHP Nick Martinez (6-6, 3.84 ERA)

Martinez has been used as both a traditional starter and a bulk reliever for the Reds this season, but his last four appearances have all come as a starting pitcher.

Over his last four appearances, the right-hander has gone 2-2 with a 3.63 ERA and has held opponents to a .229 batting average.

Martinez has a deep and balanced arsenal with a four-seamer, cutter, changeup, sinker, curveball and slider.

He’s been tattooed by the Pirates in his career. In four previous meetings, Martinez has a 20.25 ERA (6er/2.2ip).

Reds Hitters vs. Ortiz

Spencer Steer: 0 for 7, four strikeouts
Elly De La Cruz: 1 for 5, two strikeouts
Jonathan India: 2 for 4, one double, two RBIs
Stuart Fairchild: 2 for 3, one double, one walk, one strikeout
TJ Friedl: 1 for 3, two walks
Ty France: 0 for 3, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Martinez

Connor Joe: 2 for 7, two RBIs, two strikeouts
Rowdy Tellez: 3 for 6, one home run, two RBIs, two walks, three strikeouts
Joey Bart: 1 for 4, one double, three strikeouts
Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 3, one home run, one RBI, one strikeout

Tidbits

With a double in Saturday’s loss, Oneil Cruz extended his on-base streak t0 16 games, surpassing Joey Bart for the second-longest streak by a Pirates’ player this season.
Over his last two starts, Jake Woodford has allowed 12 runs in 7.1 innings. He was tagged for one earned run across 11 innings in his first two starts.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa snapped an 0-for-14 skid with a base hit to lead off the bottom of the first inning.