Reds vs Pirates Recap: Marte, De La Cruz Lead Cincinnati Comeback

The Cincinnati Reds rolled into PNC Park looking to stop a three-game losing streak. They faced the Pittsburgh Pirates, who came in hot at 41-40 with two straight wins. This game would tell us a lot about both teams' hearts. Konnor Griffin wasted no time. The Pirates' batter launched a 91-mph fastball into left-center field. The ball sailed 435 feet and landed in the bleachers. Pirates up 1-0 before the Reds even stepped up to hit. But Cincinnati wasn't about to fold. The Reds came roaring back in the second inning. Spencer Steer lined a single to center, and boom — one run scored. Then Tyler Stephenson singled to right. Another run crossed the plate. Suddenly the Reds had flipped the script completely. They led 2-1 and the energy had shifted toward Cincinnati. The Pirates had drawn first blood, but the Reds answered with authority.

The second inning exploded for Cincinnati. Blake Dunn lifted a sacrifice fly to right. That drove in another run. Elly De La Cruz followed with a sac fly to center. One more run scored. The Reds had unleashed four runs in one crazy inning and led 4-1. They were in complete control. Pittsburgh didn't quit though. In the fifth inning, Brandon Lowe stepped up and launched a sacrifice fly of his own. Henry Davis scored. The Pirates made it 4-2. Then came the sixth. Marcell Ozuna connected with a fastball and crushed it 408 feet to center field. Home run! Just like that, Esmerlyn Valdez stepped into the box and did the same thing — another 414-foot bomb to left. The Pirates had tied this game at 4-4. One swing changed everything. Two swings changed it back.

The Reds needed to answer. They got their chance in the eighth inning with new pitcher Mason Montgomery on the mound. Sal Stewart was on base. Noelvi Marte stepped up and crushed a 98-mph sinker 405 feet to left-center field. The ball flew over the wall and Stewart scored ahead of him. Cincinnati led 6-4 and that would be it. The Reds' bullpen locked down tight. Brock Burke earned the win. Caleb Ferguson recorded the save. The final score: Reds 6, Pirates 4. Cincinnati improved to 37-42 while Pittsburgh fell to 41-40. The Reds snapped their three-game losing streak with a huge road victory. Marte's two-run homer in the eighth was the dagger. Sometimes one swing is all you need to change your season's direction. This road trip just became a lot more important.