The Cincinnati Reds’ hot start Friday night earned them a 9-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Elly De La Cruz kicked things off in the top of the 1st with a 2-run RBI triple. Spencer Steer followed it up with an RBI double to give Cincinnati a 3-0 lead. Luke Maile added to the Reds’ lead in the 4th with a 3-run blast to give them a commanding 6-0 advantage.
Reds starting pitcher Andrew Abbott (7-3) struck out 9 and held Pittsburgh scoreless until the bottom of the sixth when Pittsburgh scored two runs. The first came on a solo home run by Ke’Bryan Hayes. The second and final run of the inning came on an RBI single by Andrew McCutcheon.
That would be the closest Pittsburgh would get, as Cincinnati scored 3 more runs in the 8th to seal the 9-2 win, snapping their two game losing streak.
Elly De La Cruz went 2-5 with a triple, a single, and 3 RBI.
With Chicago’s win over the Blue Jays last night, the Reds (61-57) and Cubs (60-56) remain tied for 2nd in the NL Central, trailing 1st place Milwaukee (63-54) by 2.5 games.
The Reds face the Pirates two more times this weekend, with WRBI Sports bringing you this evening’s game. Coverage starts at 6:35.