Nathaniel Lowe legged out a fielder’s choice on a chopper up the middle to drive in Elly De La Cruz as the host Cincinnati Reds ground out a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.
De La Cruz led off the ninth by roping a double to left field against Gregory Soto (5-3). After Sal Stewart was intentionally walked, JJ Bleday struck out and Tyler Stephenson walked to load the bases.
With the infield drawn in, the Pirates got the force at second, but Lowe beat the relay throw to first to bring home the winning run.
De La Cruz had three doubles, two steals, two runs and an RBI, while Dane Myers added two hits for the Reds.
Emilio Pagan (3-1) earned the win after allowing one hit and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.
Brandon Lowe hit a solo home run, and Nick Gonzales went 2-for-4 with a double and a run for the Pirates.
Cincinnati opened the scoring in the third. Matt McLain led off the frame with a single, and De La Cruz followed with an RBI double to center.
One batter later, De La Cruz raced home from second on Stewart’s single for a 2-0 lead.
The Pirates cut the deficit to 2-1 in the fifth inning. Gonzales doubled down the right-field line, advanced to third on Endy Rodriguez’s single and scored on Jacob Gonzalez’s sacrifice fly.
Lowe tied the game at 2-2 in the sixth inning with his 23rd home run of the season.
In the seventh, Rodriguez and pinch hitter Jared Triolo drew walks with one out, and after Jhostynxon Garcia struck out, Jake Mangum was hit by a pitch. But Nathaniel Lowe was rung up on a check swing to end the threat.
In the bottom of the inning, the Reds also loaded the bases with one out. But Eugenio Suarez’s one-hop grounder to Gonzales started a 5-4-3 double play.
Pittsburgh starter Yohan Ramirez allowed one hit, walked one and struck out four over two innings. Reds starter Rhett Lowder surrendered two runs on five hits, walked none and struck out five in six innings.
