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Oneil Cruz’s 2-run homer helps Pirates snap Reds’ 5-game win streak with 4-2 victory

Oneil Cruz's 2-run homer helps Pirates snap Reds' 5-game win streak with 4-2 victory | iNFOnews.ca
Pittsburgh Pirates' Oneil Cruz is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
Original Publication Date: September 23, 2025 6:30PM
Publication Updated: September 23, 2025 7:52PM

CINCINNATI (AP) — Oneil Cruz hit a two-run homer and the last-place Pittsburgh Pirates beat the wild-card chasing Cincinnati Reds 4-2 on Tuesday night.

The loss, along with the New York Mets’ 9-7 win over the Chicago Cubs, dropped the Reds a full game behind the Mets in the race for the third NL wild card.

The Pirates scored all four of their runs in the second inning against Brady Singer (14-11).

Jack Suwinski doubled and scored on Nick Yorke’s single. Yorke scored from first on Alexander Canario’s double. Cruz’s 20th homer of the season made it 4-0.

Elly De La Cruz, who snapped a 43-game homerless streak on Saturday, got the Reds’ on the board with a two-run homer off Johan Oviedo to make the score 4-2 in the bottom of the second.

The Reds had runners on first and third with two outs in the sixth, but Pirates rookie Hunter Barco (1-0), making his major league debut, got Matt McLain to ground into a force play. Barco earned his first career victory.

The Reds managed only five hits and grounded into three straight inning-ending double plays including in the ninth to help Dennis Santana secure his 15th save.

Key moment

Suwinski appeared to make a diving catch on Will Benson’s drive in foul territory down the left field line with two outs in the fourth. The Reds challenged and the ruling of a catch was overturned. Benson struck out to end the inning stranding two runners.

Key stat

The loss snapped Cincinnati’s season-high five-game winning streak. The Reds have won five straight games four times this season.

Up next

Reds RHP Hunter Greene (7-4, 2.74 ERA) opposes Pirates RHP Paul Skenes (10-10, 2.03) on Wednesday night.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Oneil Cruz's 2-run homer helps Pirates snap Reds' 5-game win streak with 4-2 victory | iNFOnews.ca
Pittsburgh Pirates’ Oneil Cruz hits a two-run home run in the second inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
Oneil Cruz's 2-run homer helps Pirates snap Reds' 5-game win streak with 4-2 victory | iNFOnews.ca
Cincinnati Reds’ Elly De La Cruz, far right, celebrates a two-run home run with third base coach J.R. House, left, in the second inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
Oneil Cruz's 2-run homer helps Pirates snap Reds' 5-game win streak with 4-2 victory | iNFOnews.ca
Pittsburgh Pirates’ Johan Oviedo delivers a pitch in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)

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The Associated Press

Jeff Wallner

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

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