Pirates play spoiler role, nip wild-card hopeful Reds

Field Level Media|published: Tue 23rd September, 21:41 2025

Sep 23, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Nick Yorke (38) rounds second on a RBI double hit by outfielder Alexander Canario (not pictured) in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Oneil Cruz belted a two-run homer and five relievers combined for 4 1/3 scoreless innings to lead the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates past the Cincinnati Reds 4-2 on Tuesday night in Cincinnati.

Elly De La Cruz homered and went 3-for-4 for the Reds, who entered the night tied with the New York Mets for the third and final wild-card spot in the National League. Both teams had a one-game lead over Arizona.

Left-handed reliever Hunter Barco (1-0) made his major league debut for Pittsburgh (68-89), tossing a scoreless sixth inning to earn his first big league win. Dennis Santana tossed a scoreless ninth for his 15th save in 17 chances.

The Reds (80-77) hit into double plays to end each of the final three innings.

After hitting a batter in the first, Cincinnati starter Brady Singer (14-11) got into trouble in the second when Jack Suwinski doubled, Nick Yorke hit an RBI single to center and Alexander Canario doubled to make it 2-0.

Following another out, Cruz drove a Singer sinker into the seats in left for a 4-0 Pirates lead. Singer was charged with four runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings.

De La Cruz, who hadn't homered since July 31 before belting a long ball Saturday, connected for his second homer in three games against Pittsburgh starter Johan Oviedo in the second to get two runs back. De La Cruz's 21st of the season came with Spencer Steer aboard and cut the Pittsburgh lead to 4-2.

Oviedo, charged with two runs on two hits and three walks over 4 2/3 innings, was removed one out from being eligible for the win in the fifth, as Dauri Moreta was called on to get the final out. Moreta recorded it when TJ Friedl was thrown out trying to advance on a potential wild pitch to Noelvi Marte.

The Reds caught a break in the bottom of the fourth. Will Benson's foul fly down the left field line was ruled a catch by Suwinski, who made a lunging, full extension grab of the ball as it was slicing away from him. But the Reds challenged, and the ball was ruled a trap.

But given a second chance with runners on first and second, Benson struck out to end the frame.

--Field Level Media