Despite Four Home Runs, Pirates Fall to Braves After Bednar’s Blown Save

Recap

PITTSBURGH — Ke’Bryan Hayes hit the first of four home runs for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but Atlanta struck three times off of David Bednar in the ninth inning to claim an 8-6 victory on Tuesday night at PNC Park.

Bednar (3-2) entered the game in the ninth inning and the Braves rallied for three runs — all with two outs — against the Pirates’ closer.

Kevin Pillar, who entered the game as a replacement for Eddie Rosario in the sixth, delivered the first two-out blow with an RBI single to left. Orlando Arcia then plated a pair with a two-run double down the left field line to put Atlanta ahead.

Raisel Iglesias closed out the win for the Braves in the bottom of the ninth inning after retiring Jack Suwinski with two runners on.

Hayes’ three-run home run in the first inning pushed the Pirates ahead 3-1 after Ronald Acuña Jr. led off the game with a home run off of Pirates starter Mitch Keller.

After the Braves tied the game 3-3, Alfonso Rivas hit his second homer since joining the Pirates. His solo shot to center put them back out in front by a run.

Leading off the home half of the fifth inning, Josh Palacios connected on his fourth home run of the season. Bryan Reynolds followed with a solo homer of his own to extend their lead to 6-3.

Key Moment 

Pillar’s clutch, two-out single tied the game and gave Arcia and the Braves a chance to take the lead one batter later.

Star of the Game

Arcia finished the game 3 for 5 with a home run, three RBIs and a run scored.

Stat to Know

The back-to-back home runs from Palacios and Reynolds marked the 10th time the Pirates have done that this season and the first since… the same duo did it on Friday in Milwaukee.

Noteworthy

• The 10 instances of back-to-back home runs this season for the Pirates are their most in one season since 2003. Prior to 2003, the last time the Pirates went back-to-back at least 10 times was in 1971.
• Hayes’ home run was his seventh of the season and his first since hitting a solo home run against the Miami Marlins on June 22.
• Hayes, Reynolds and Rivas all finished the night with two hits.
• Palacios made an acrobatic catch in right field to end the top of the fourth inning. It can be seen HERE.
• Prior to the start of the game, the Pirates added Thomas Hatch to the active roster and recalled right-hander Colin Selby from Triple-A. Fellow right-handers Osvaldo Bido and Yerry De Los Santos were optioned to Indianapolis.  

Up Next

The four-game series between the Pirates (51-62) and Braves (71-40) continues on Wednesday night. Quinn Priester (2-1, 8.69 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Bucs. 2022 Cy Young runner-up Max Fried (3-1, 1.69 ERA) will go for Atlanta. First pitch: 7:05.