PITTSBURGH, Pa. (WMDJ) — The Cincinnati Reds erased a one-run deficit with a dramatic ninth-inning rally Saturday, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-7 to secure the weekend series at PNC Park.
Sal Stewart got the Reds started with a solo home run in the first inning and finished with two hits and two RBIs.
Pittsburgh answered with a four-run stretch, highlighted by Brandon Lowe’s three-run homer, to take a 4-2 lead. Cincinnati battled back, tying the game in the fifth before Jose Trevino’s two-run single in the sixth put the Reds ahead 6-4.
The Pirates rallied again, scoring three unanswered runs, including Esmerlyn Valdez’s solo homer in the eighth, to take a 7-6 lead.
Down to their final out in the ninth, the Reds mounted one last rally. After two runners reached, Eugenio Suárez crushed a three-run homer to right field, putting Cincinnati back in front 9-7.
Chase Burns struck out 10 over six innings, allowing five runs on nine hits. Caleb Ferguson earned the win in relief, while Chase Petty recorded the final three outs for his first save. He's also the eleventh Red to get a save this season.
The Reds will go for the series sweep Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 1:05 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1.
