The Cincinnati Reds currently hold a 39-42 record following a dramatic come-from-behind victory at PNC Park. Over the last 24 hours, the team made significant progress toward a series win in Pittsburgh. They achieved this despite placing their primary closer on the injured list.
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MLB Game Recap
Cincinnati rallied for a 9-7 victory over the Pirates on Saturday. The game was highlighted by a three-run home run with two outs in the ninth inning. Starter Chase Burns tossed six innings. He struck out 10 batters but allowed five earned runs. Caleb Ferguson earned the win in a bullpen effort. Chase Petty notched his first major league save. The game’s turning point came in the final frame. The Reds reached twice before the decisive blast. They overcame a one-run deficit created by a Pirates pinch-hit homer in the eighth.
Standout Performer
Eugenio Suárez: 1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, BB, R. Suárez faced a two-strike count with two outs in the ninth. He drove a sinker 344 feet for a game-winning three-run homer. His heroics effectively salvaged the game for Cincinnati and snapped a late Pittsburgh lead.
Key News & Notes
The Reds placed reliever Tony Santillan on the 15-day injured list with a significant left oblique strain. They also recalled right-hander Zach McCambley. Manager Terry Francona was encouraged by Nick Lodolo’s progress. He stated that Lodolo has “turned a good corner” after a wrist contusion. Lodolo should start on Monday. Additionally, Emilio Pagán threw a scoreless rehab inning for Triple-A Louisville, signaling his return from a hamstring strain is imminent.
Farm Report
- Louisville Bats: Will Benson went 1-for-2 with a walk in a 12-0 loss to St. Paul; Benson’s single was a rare bright spot in a blowout that saw Louisville manage only three hits.
- Chattanooga Lookouts: Cam Collier went 2-for-3 with a walk and two home runs. He scored 7 RBIs in a 12-9 loss to Pensacola. Collier’s seven-RBI performance kept the Lookouts competitive. However, they suffered a ninth-inning collapse.
- Dayton Dragons: Alfredo Duno had a solid performance. He went 1-for-2 with a solo HR. He also walked during an 8-1 game-one loss to West Michigan. The Dragons dropped both games of a doubleheader. They managed only one hit in the second contest.
- Daytona Tortugas: Tyson Lewis finished 2-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI in a 7-1 win over Lakeland. Sheng-En Lin anchored the victory with five innings of one-run ball.
- ACL Reds: Jirvin Morillo went 2-for-3 with two walks and a home run. Despite his efforts, the team faced a 14-10 loss to the Brewers. Morillo’s production helped the Reds build an early lead. However, the bullpen allowed 14 runs.
Deep Dive: Hunter Greene’s Return Looks Closer After Latest Rehab Start
The Reds face a challenging first half with many injuries. Ace Hunter Greene offered a major reason for optimism in his second rehab appearance with Triple-A Louisville. Recovering from right elbow surgery performed in March to remove bone fragments, Greene dominated the St. Paul Saints over four shutout innings. He used only 64 pitches to complete the outing. Greene surrendered just two hits and one walk. He also struck out three batters. Most encouragingly, his elite velocity was on full display, as he used a 98-mph fastball to record his second strikeout.
Greene mentioned feeling “strong and ready” after the game, emphasizing a desire to dominate rather than compete. Across eight total rehab innings this year, he has yet to allow a run and maintains a nine-to-two strikeout-to-walk ratio. The team critically needs his imminent return. This need arises due to the recent loss of Graham Ashcraft to a 60-day UCL injury. Additionally, there is ongoing bullpen volatility. Greene’s final scheduled rehab start is on Sunday. If it concludes without issue, he will likely rejoin a rotation that features Andrew Abbott and Chase Burns. This could potentially stabilize the pitching staff for a second-half surge.
Looking Ahead
Brady Singer (3-6, 4.81 ERA) will face Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller (5-5, 4.89 ERA) on Sunday in the final game of the series.
Suárez’s clutch ninth-inning power blast is a reminder that this Reds team remains dangerous regardless of the inning. What do you think?
