Pirates Offense Struggles in Slim Defeat to Reds

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates kept it close throughout their battle with the Cincinnati Reds, but a lack of production on offense doomed them to a 2-1 defeat.

It is the first loss for the Pirates in the series, as they won 7-0 on Aug. 7 and came back for a 3-2 victory on Aug. 8. It also ends a four-game winning streak for the Pirates over the Reds, as they won the last two games of the other series at PNC Park, 1-0 on May 20 and 3-1 on May 21.

Pittsburgh drops to 51-67 on the season and 34-28 at home, while Cincinnati improves to 61-57 and 28-31 on the road.

Pirates rookie right-handed pitcher Braxton Ashcraft made just his second start of the season, last doing so vs. the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Park on June 23.

Ashcraft allowed a leadoff walk to Reds center fielder TJ Friedl, but struckout both second baseman Matt McClain and shortstop Elly De La Cruz, with Freidl taking second base on a stolen base.

Reds designated hitter Miguel Andujar then hit a sharp ball to left field off Ashcraft, but Pirates left fielder Tommy Pham made a great diving stop and kept the game scoreless.

Ashcraft threw a scoreless second inning, but hit Freidl with one out in the top of the third inning, then gave up a single to McClain.

He got out of the inning unscathed, getting De La Cruz and Andujar to hit into ground outs, and keeping the game scoreless.

Pirates third baseman Jared Triolo ledoff the bottom of the third inning with a double, as Reds right fielder Noelvi Marte completely misjudged where the ball was and it soared over his head.

First baseman Spencer Horwitz singled, moving Triolo to third base, and Pham would hit a ball deep enough that Triolo would score on the sacrifice fly, giving the Pirates a 1-0 lead.

Ashcraft would finish his outing after striking out Reds left fielder Gavin Lux then giving up a single to first baseman Spencer Steer. He posted a career-high five strikeouts over 56 pitches.