Pirates’ Win Streak Snapped vs. Reds; Robbery Ruins Chance of Comeback
CINCINNATI — The Pittsburgh Pirates were overmatched offensively and couldn’t complete a sweep of the Cincinnati Reds in a 2-1 loss at Great American Ball Park on Thursday afternoon.
Bryan Reynolds looked like he had a game-tying home run in the top of the ninth, but a web gem catch ensured the Pirates would not mount a comeback.
How We Got There
The Reds (81-78) and Pirates (69-90) were locked in a scoreless tie until the bottom of the fifth inning, when Cincinnati struck twice against Braxton Ashcraft (4-4). Noelvi Marte drove in a run with an RBI single and later scored on a Gavin Lux single to right.
Spencer Horwitz ripped a pinch-hit double to right center to open the top of the eighth and scored from third on Nick Yorke’s groundout.
The loss ended the Pirates’ four-game winning streak.
Key Moment
Noelvi Marte robbed Bryan Reynolds of a potential game-tying home run in the top of the ninth inning, bringing back a ball that looked destined for the first row of the right field bleachers.
Player of the Game
Reds starter Nick Lodolo matched a career-high with 12 strikeouts and tossed 6.1-scoreless innings before he was taken out of the game with an injury.
Stat to Know
The Pirates have scored one run or fewer 36 times this season (22.6% of their games).
Notable Performances
- Braxton Ashcraft: 4.1 innings, eight hits, two runs, one walk, five strikeouts, 72 pitches/49 strikes
- Spencer Horwitz: 1 for 1, one double one run
Noteworthy
- The Pirates have played in 60 one-run games this season, the most they’ve had in a year since also playing in 60 one-run games in 2014. Pittsburgh is 25-35 in such games in 2025.
- The Pirates recalled RHP Chase Shugart from Triple-A Indianapolis and optioned RHP Dauri Moreta to the minor leagues.
- The start of the game was delayed by 1 hour and 22 minutes due to rain.
Up Next
The Pirates will head to Atlanta for their final series of the season against. RHP Mitch Keller (6-15, 4.22 ERA) will be on the mound for the Pirates. LHP Joey Wentz (5-6, 5.46 ERA) will start for the Braves. First pitch: 7:15 p.m. ET.
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