The Cincinnati Reds knocked off the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-4 in the opener of a three-game series at PNC Park as heard last night on WRBI. The Reds trailed 1-0 after the 1st inning before scoring four runs in the top of the 2nd off Paul Skenes. With Cincinnati holding a 4-2 lead, Andrew Abbott (5 1/3 innings, six hits, three earned runs, one walk, and six innings) surrendered two solo home runs in the 6th inning that tied the game. But Noelvi Marte’s pinch hit, two-run homer in the top of the 8th won it for the Reds. It was Marte’s first career pinch hit home run. Brock Burke got the win in relief to even his record at 3-3. Caleb Ferguson pitched a scoreless bottom of the 9th to notch his first save. Game two of the series is scheduled for this afternoon. Chase Burns goes to the mound for Cincinnati. He’s 9-1 with a 2.00 Earned Run Average; the Pirates counter with Jared Jones, who is 1-1 with a 5.75 ERA. Coverage begins at 3:35 on 103.9 FM.
The Reds placed reliever Tony Santillan on the 15-day Injured List retroactive to Tuesday with a left oblique strain. In a corresponding roster move, the team recalled righthanded pitcher Zach McCambley from Triple-A Louisville.
The Indiana Fever (10-8) wraps up a three-game homestand tonight against the Los Angeles Sparks (8-9), but they’ll be without the services of Caitlin Clark. She’s been ruled out after exiting Wednesday’s game with a back injury. Tonight’s contest will be L-A’s lone visit to Gainbridge Fieldhouse this season. Tipoff is at 8 p.m.
