A Tough Day at PNC Park
Ah, fellow Pirates fans, today was one of those days you just want to forget. The Pittsburgh Pirates faced off against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park, and, despite a promising start, we ended up on the wrong side of a 7-1 loss. But hey, we're loyal to the core, so let’s break down how it all went down.
Hopeful Beginnings
The game kicked off on a neutral footing. After the Reds scored first with a double by Austin Hays bringing Elly De La Cruz home in the top of the 1st, we responded valiantly. Bryan Reynolds got an infield single, and our catcher Joey Bart drove him home with a double to center, tying it up 1-1. You could feel the ballpark buzzing with hope, but unfortunately, that was the only run we'd see from our beloved Bucs.
Missed Opportunities
Throughout the middle innings, both teams struggled to capitalize on chances. Our guys put the bat on the ball, but the Reds' defense held firm. Ke'Bryan Hayes and Andrew McCutchen had a rough day at the plate, both striking out multiple times, while Alexander Canario managed a ground-rule double in the 4th, only for Kiner-Falefa and Jared Triolo to be unable to bring him in. It was a tale of missed opportunities for the Pirates.
Seventh and Eighth Inning Changes
As the game drifted into the later innings, the Reds took charge. A throwing error by our shortstop in the 6th allowed the Reds to score, and they didn’t look back. By the 8th inning, they had padded their lead to 4-1. A pitching change from David Bednar to Colin Holderman didn’t stem the tide, and Cincinnati racked up more runs in the 9th to finalize a 7-1 victory. It was a persistent attack that we just couldn’t seem to counter.
Final Thoughts
Nobody likes losing at home, especially with such a wide margin, but we saw some sparks from our Pirates that underscore potential. Joey Bart had an RBI double, and Alexander Canario showed hustle. Here's hoping the Bucs can tighten up their defense and find ways to string more hits together as the season rolls on. We love our team and will keep cheering no matter what! Keep your heads up, Buccos, we're with you all the way!
Scoreboard for Reds @ Pirates (May 19th, 2025)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 0 |