The Cincinnati Reds split their Sunday doubleheader against the Pirates, falling to 4-2 in game one and winning
game two 6-5 in 10 innings.
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The penultimate game of the series, originally scheduled to be played on Saturday, was moved to Sunday due to a rainout.
The Reds struck first, scoring one run on a Christian Encarnacion-Strand single in the top of the fourth. Matt McClain gave Cincinnati a 2-0 one inning later on an RBI double.
However, Pittsburgh rallied back, scoring their first run of the game on an Alika Williams RBI single.
The Pirates completed the comeback in the 7th when pinch hitter Jared Triolo hit a 3-hr home run, giving them the 4-2 lead they would hold onto for the rest of the game.
Matt McClain drove in 1 run, batting 2-4 with a double.
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In the series finale, Cincinnati would have to rally back on two occasions to earn the 6-5 win.
Their first rally came after falling behind 2-0 in the first. The Reds tied the game in the 2nd with a 2-run double by Luke Maile.
The second rally came after Pittsburgh pulled ahead 5-3 in the seventh inning. Cincinnati scored twice in the 8th to tie the game at 5. Henry Ramos made it a one run game on an RBI single to right field. Spencer Steer tied the game with an RBI to ultimately send the game to extra innings.
Tyler Stephenson scored the game-winning run in the 10th when Stuart Fairchild grounded into a fielder’s choice.
Reds Closer Alexis Diaz earned the win, allowing 0 runs and 0 hits in 1 and 2/3 innings pitched. Daniel Duarte got the save, allowing 0 runs and 0 hits in 1 inning on the mound.
Elly De La Cruz went 2-5 with a home run and an RBI.
With the Reds win and the loss by the Cubs, Cincinnati (62-58) and Chicago (61-57) remain tied for 2nd in the NL Central, trailing the first place Brewers by 3.5 games.
The Reds are off today. They’ll return to action tomorrow evening when they begin a 3-game home series against the Cleveland Guardians.