Reds Edge Out Pirates in Close Contest

PITTSBURGH: At PNC Park on Saturday afternoon, Noelvi Marte’s stellar performance, featuring three hits, an RBI, and the decisive run, propelled the Cincinnati Reds to a narrow 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Marte shone brightly for the Reds, delivering when it mattered most. His pivotal moment occurred in the seventh, initiating the inning with a double off Pirates’ reliever Carmen Mlodzinski.

Marte subsequently scored on a sacrifice fly from TJ Friedl later in the seventh, providing Cincinnati with a critical one-run advantage they maintained until the end.

Nick Martinez, the Reds’ starting pitcher, exhibited control, pitching seven impressive innings and conceding only one run on four hits. He issued no walks and effectively contained the Pirates’ offensive efforts.

He outperformed Pittsburgh’s rookie pitcher, Braxton Ashcraft, who pitched for three and one-third innings as an opener. Ashcraft allowed one run on three hits and recorded five strikeouts but couldn’t contain Cincinnati’s offense.

The Pirates initially gained the lead in the third inning when Tommy Pham’s sacrifice fly allowed Jared Triolo to score. Triolo had commenced the inning with a double and advanced to third on a single by Spencer Horwitz.

In the ninth, the Pirates threatened as Reds’ closer Emilio Pagan began the inning by walking Oneil Cruz.

However, Cincinnati’s defense solidified the win, completing a game-ending double play as Nick Gonzales lined out to shortstop Elly De La Cruz, who then doubled off Cruz at first. Pagan earned his 25th save of the season.

Both teams registered seven hits. Spencer Horwitz and Anthony Steer each tallied two hits for their respective teams.

The Reds aim to split the series in Sunday’s finale, with Zack Littell pitching for the Reds against Pittsburgh’s Mike Burrows.