Bailey Falter leads Pirates to victory over Reds, ending losing streak

On Tuesday night, Bailey Falter led the Pittsburgh Pirates to a narrow 1-0 victory against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, helping to end the Pirates' four-game losing streak. Falter pitched seven innings, allowing just four hits, striking out five batters, and demonstrating exceptional control by giving up only one walk. The game's only run came in the sixth inning when Bryan Reynolds capitalized on Oneil Cruz's stolen base, hitting an RBI single that put the Pirates ahead. The Reds, who had previously scored an impressive 26 runs during a five-game winning streak, were unable to make any significant offensive progress against Falter's performance. In the ninth inning, David Bednar closed for the Pirates, earning his fourth save of the season. The following day, Andrew Heaney took the mound for the Pirates, supported by four relievers in their matchup against the Reds. Heaney allowed one run on three hits while managing to walk two batters before striking out four over five innings. Pittsburgh's pitching staff held Cincinnati to just four hits throughout the game, showcasing their defensive strength. This victory also marked a significant win for Heaney, indicating a positive trend after a nearly month-long span without a victory. The Pirates secured their second win in a three-game series against Cincinnati. During the second game, rookie Henry Davis stole the spotlight, not only contributing with two hits, including an RBI single, but also shining defensively with two key plays that prevented runs. One instance saw him tag out Spencer Steer at home plate, avoiding a potential equalizer for the Reds, while also throwing out Will Benson at second base. In this match as well, the Pirates struggled to score more than five runs—a streak that extended to 26 games, tying a Major League record. Retroactively, Pittsburgh had not scored over four runs since before this stretch began. As Cincinnati prepares for its next series against the Chicago Cubs, focusing on the struggles and tight moments experienced by both teams, the Pirates look ahead to hosting the Milwaukee Brewers. Mike Burrows is set to make his first career start, signifying a shift in the starting rotation. With the recent improvement in their pitching performances, the Pirates hope to build on the momentum created by Falter and Heaney’s efforts. This combination of pitching finesse and timely hitting provides hope for the Pirates to end a long stretch without offensive breakthroughs, marking a changing tide as the season continues.