Pirates Squeak By Reds on Falter’s Gem, Offense Does Just Enough

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates did just enough to back Bailey Falter’s gem for a 1-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on Tuesday night.

How We Got There

The Pirates (16-33) finally broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth inning when Bryan Reynolds ripped a single through the right side to plate Oneil Cruz from second. 

The run was all Falter (3-3) needed to earn his third victory of the season. The left-hander dazzled by throwing 7.0-scoreless innings, limiting the Reds to four hits with no walks and five strikeouts.

TJ Friedl led off the game with a triple off the Clemente Wall in right, but Falter prevented him from scoring and settled into a nice groove after that.

Dennis Santana and David Bednar combined to blank the Reds (25-25) over the final two innings with the latter converting his fourth save of the season.

Key Moment

Bryan Reynolds’ RBI single in the sixth wasn’t just the game-winning hit, but it was the Pirates’ first hit with a runner in scoring position since Alexander Canario’s three-run homer in the sixth inning of Friday’s game against the Phillies. 

Star of the Game

Bailey Falter is up to 16.2-straight scoreless innings. He hasn’t allowed a run since the seventh inning in his start against the Padres on May 3. 

Notable Performances

• Bailey Falter: 7.0 innings, four hits, no runs, no walk, five strikeouts, 79 pitches/55 strikes
• Spencer Horwitz: 2 for 3, one intentional walk
• Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 4, one RBI
• Oneil Cruz: 0 for 2, two walks, two steals, one run

Stat to Know

Bailey Falter now has a 0.38 ERA (1er/23.2ip) through four starts in May. He’s lowered his season ERA from 5.93 to 3.50. 

Noteworthy

• The Pirates’ win snapped a four-game losing streak.
• The Pirates placed RHP Colin Holderman on the 15-day injured list with right thumb inflammation. RHP Isaac Mattson was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis and INF Nick Gonzales was transferred to the 60-day injured list.

Up Next

The Pirates will go for the series win on Wednesday afternoon behind LHP Andrew Heaney (2-3, 3.02 ERA). RHP Brady Singer (5-2, 5.01 ERA) will look to lead the Reds to a rubber match win. First pitch: 12:35 p.m. ET.