Nathaniel Lowe’s fielder’s choice scored Sal Stewart in the eighth inning as the host Cincinnati Reds registered an 8-7 comeback victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates and nemesis Paul Skenes on Friday night.
Stewart went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer, four RBIs and two runs and JJ Bleday added a solo shot — the first homer Skenes ever allowed to a Reds batter. Skenes entered the game 5-0 in seven career games against the Reds, striking out 52 over 39 innings and posting a 1.38 ERA.
While he did not take the loss, Skenes was far from dominant. He gave up five runs on seven hits in only four innings, walking a season-high four while striking out seven. He surrendered Stewart’s homer, as well.
Pittsburgh’s Jake Mangum went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and two RBIs and Brandon Lowe finished 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run in the loss.
The Reds entered the eighth inning with a one-run lead and left the frame with the same margin after the teams scored three runs apiece.
After runners were on the corners with one out, the Pirates got consecutive RBI singles from Henry Davis, Mangum and Brandon Lowe. In the bottom of the inning, Noelvi Marte and Matt McLain each singled before Elly De La Cruz struck out. Stewart’s single brought home both runners to tie the game at 7-all.
Mason Montgomery relieved Wilber Dotel (1-4) and got an out before issuing an intentional walk. Montgomery then induced Lowe to hit a grounder to Nick Gonzales at third, allowing Stewart to score.
Emilio Pagan (4-1) was credited with the win after pitching a scoreless ninth.
The Reds came back from three different deficits during the game.
After Pittsburgh scored two in the top of the first, Cincinnati scored two in the bottom half. The Reds erased a 3-2 deficit in the second with Bleday’s 19th home run in the third.
De La Cruz tripled in the fourth and scored on Stewart’s 23rd homer of the year as the Reds took a 5-3 lead.
Reds starter Hunter Greene scattered seven hits over six innings, giving up four runs while walking two and striking out four.
–Field Level Media
