The Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds played the rubber game of their three-game series on Wednesday afternoon. Paul Skenes aimed to rebound from his first start for Pittsburgh. Andrew Abbott pitched for the Reds.
Pittsburgh Pirates Starting Lineup
CF – Jake Magnum
2B – Nick Gonzales
LF – Bryan Reynolds
DH – Marcell Ozuna
CF – Oneil Cruz
3B- Nick Yorke
SS – Jared Triolo
1B – Spencer Horwitz
C – Henry Davis
RHP – Paul Skenes
Cincinnati Reds
CF- TJ Friedl
2B – Matt McLain
SS – Elly De La Cruz
1B – Sal Stewart
DH – Nathaniel Lowe
LF – Spencer Steer
RF- Will Benson
C – Tyler Stephenson
3B – Ke’Bryan Hayes
LHP – Andrew Abbott
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Pirates vs. Reds
First Three
The Pittsburgh Pirates jumped all over Andrew Abbott in the first inning. Bryan Reynolds got a single. Ozuna walked. Then, Oneil Cruz hit a rocket to deep right field to take a 3-0 early lead. Paul Skenes walked Friedl to start the game. He struck out McLain and De La Cruz. Then, he got Sal Stewart to ground out to end the inning. Andrew Abbott settled down and got the Pirates in order in the second inning. He did it again in the third inning, starting by striking out Nathaniel Lowe. Skenes got the Reds in order in the second inning. In the third inning, he allowed only one baserunner. Friedl walked for the second time in as many at-bats.
Middle Three
Abbott walked the leadoff batter in Nick Yorke. He then got Jared Triolo to hit into a double play. Abbott finished the inning by striking out Spencer Horwitz. De La Cruz opened the bottom of the fourth inning with a single to right off Skenes. Sal Stewart grounded out to second on a fielder’s choice, moving Cruz into scoring position. Nathaniel Lowe hit a double to center, allowing Cruz to score and bringing the score to 3-1. Skenes and Abbott both pitched scoreless fifth innings.
Andrew Abbott got the first two batters out in the top of the sixth inning. He then gave up a check swing single to Cruz. Abbott walked Nick Yorke. Reds manager Terry Francona pulled Abbot for Connor Phillips. Phillips entered the game and walked Triolo and Horwitz. This forced Cruz in from third to tie the score at 4-1.
Paul Skenes didn’t come out for the sixth inning. Mason Montgomery replaced him. Montgomery walked Sal Stewart. Then he gave up a pinch-hit two-run home run to Eugenio Suarez, bringing the Reds within one, 4-3. He then hit Will Benson, and Montgomery’s day was done. Isaac Mattson entered the game. He gave up a single to Dane Myers. Then he got Tyler Stephenson to fly out to end the inning.
Last Three
The seventh and eighth innings were scoreless for both teams. Emilio Pagan came in for the ninth inning to try and keep the score within one run. Horwitz opened the inning with a single to center. Henry Davis was then hit by a pitch while pulling back a bunt attempt. Pagan struck out Jake Magnum. Nick Gonzales hit a single to left, scoring both Gonzales and Davis, who had advanced on a wild pitch before. Bryan Reynolds hit a deep home run to right field. This brought the score to 8-3.
Gregory Soto came into pitch the ninth inning for the Pirates. He struck out Spencer Steer. He got Myers to fly out and ended the game by striking out Stephenson. Final score 8-3 Pirates for the series win.
Player of the Game:
Oneil Cruz gets the player of the game today. He got the scoring going with a three-run home run in the first frame. Cruz had three RBI and was two for five today with two runs scored. Cruz now has three home runs and six RBI on the season.
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Next Up:
Both teams have an off day on Thursday before starting their next series. Pittsburgh will host the Baltimore Orioles, and Cincinnati will head to Texas to face the Rangers.
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