By
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Miguel Andujar hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 4-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night.
Andujar’s hit came in his second game against the Pirates in a 1-all tie. The designated hitter was claimed off waivers from the New York Yankees on Sunday.
The Pirates loaded the bases with a single by Oneil Cruz and walks to Brian Reynolds and Jack Suwinski on Buck Farmer (2-2). Andujar then hit a long drive over the top of the bullpen in left-center field to clear the bases.
It marked Andujar’s first three-RBI game with the Yankees against the Tampa Bay Rays since September 27, 2018. He finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting that season, behind Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels.
Will Crowe (6-10) pitched two scoreless innings of relief. David Bednar made his 18th save in 22 chances, his first since July 23 after being sidelined for two months with a lower back problem.
The Pirates won for the third time in four games after an eight-game losing streak. The Reds have lost five of six and 15 of 19 and still have a two-game lead over Pittsburgh for fourth place in the five-team NL Central.
Cincinnati starter Hunter Greene allowed one unearned run in six innings while striking out 10. The rookie right-hander yielded four hits and three walks. Green is 0-1 with a 1.06 ERA in three starts after missing six weeks with right shoulder inflammation.
Pirates starter Mitch Keller gave up one run on five hits in five innings. He has allowed three earned runs in 18 of his last 21 starts. The Pirates have scored one run in each of his last three starts during his time in the game.
Cruz scored twice for the Pirates.
The Reds got two hits each from Kyle Farmer and Mike Ciani.
Cincinnati opened the scoring when Jonathan India scored on Keller’s wild pitch.
The Pirates tied it at third when Reynolds grounded into a double play.
Coach room
Reds: Ciani, a rookie center fielder, left the game in the eighth inning when he was concussed while trying to make a diving catch. … INF Donovan Solano missed his fifth straight game with an eye problem.
Next
Reds: RHP Luis Sessa (4-4, 4.78) will start Wednesday’s series finale. He is 1-3 with a 3.94 ERA in seven starts since moving from the bullpen to the rotation.
Pirates: RHP Bryse Wilson (3-9, 5.95) is 1-3 with a 6.10 ERA in his last eight games, including seven shutouts.
___
