Jeimer Candelario’s home run helps fuel the Reds to victory

The Cincinnati Reds took advantage of the opportunity given to them early in the game, building a 3-0 lead in the 1st inning and they added to it two innings later. Pittsburgh would get back into the game in the 5th, but the Reds bullpen kept them off of the board late and held on for the win between the two National League Central foes.

Final
R
H
E

Pittsburgh Pirates (5-9)
3
4
1

Cincinnati Reds (6-8)
5
4
1

W: Singer (3-0) L: Falter (0-2) SV: Pagan (3)

Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread

The Reds didn’t waste much time getting on the board, but they also got plenty of help. Bailey Falter walked the bases loaded in the 1st inning. Spencer Steer grounded into a double play to bring in a run to get the scoring started in the wrong kind of way, but Jeimer Candelario made it 3-0 three pitches later when he crushed a 2-run home run to make it 3-0.

Two innings later Cincinnati got on the board and once again it was with the help from the Pirates. With Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer on first and second they attempted a double steal. Falter threw a pitch in the dirt but that didn’t stop Endy Rodriguez from trying to throw out De La Cruz at third. Instead he threw the ball past the third baseman and into the left field corner, not only allowing De La Cruz to score, but Steer also came around easily to make it 5-0.

Brady Singer had cruised through the first four innings, not allowing a hit while holding Pittsburgh scoreless. But the Pirates broke through with a 1-out rally that began with a walk and was followed up by an RBI double by Tommy Pham. Adam Frazier then came through with a 2-run home run to cap off a 3-run inning.

Taylor Rogers came on for Cincinnati in the 6th inning. He got some help from Gavin Lux when Ender Rodriguez hit a ball off of the wall in left and Lux barehanded it and fired a strike to second base where Rodriguez was tagged out to end the inning. Graham Ashcraft followed up with two shutout innings to hold onto the 5-3 lead.

Emilio Pagan was called on for the save for the Reds. He made easy work of the Pirates, retiring them in order with two strikeouts before a lazy fly ball into right field ended it as Cincinnati opened up the home stand with a win and placed themselves ahead of Pittsburgh in the standings.

Key Moment of the Game

Jeimer Candelario’s home run in the 1st that put Cincinnati up 3-0.

Notes Worth Noting

Both teams had four hits on the day. The Reds were able to take more advantage of it thanks to their six walks on the night. The first five batters in the Reds order all drew at least one walk – Blake Dunn had two.

Graham Ashcraft has now thrown 7.1 innings without allowing a run.

Brady Singer picked up the win and is now 3-0 in his first three games. Emilio Pagan picked up his third save in the contest.

Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cincinnati Reds

Saturday, April 12, 6:40pm ET

Andrew Heaney (0-0, 1.50 ERA) vs Andrew Abbott (season debut)