Cruz homers twice, O'Hearn and Reynolds also go deep as Pirates beat Reds 8-3
CINCINNATI (AP) — Oneil Cruz homered twice and Ryan O’Hearn hit a three-run shot as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-3 on Tuesday night. O’Hearn and Bryan Reynolds went back-to-back in the second inning. Cruz finished with three hits and three RBIs.
He also scored three times. The Reds were held hitless until Jose Trevino singled off reliever Hunter Barco with one out in the seventh. Pirates rookie starter Bubba Chandler tossed 4 1/3 innings with six strikeouts, but also walked six.
Sal Stewart and Elly De La Cruz hit consecutive homers off Barco to trim the Pirates' lead to 6-3 in the eighth. Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly was ejected in the eighth for arguing with plate umpire Jordan Baker. Cruz hit a solo homer in the fourth off left-hander Brandon Williamson, then provided insurance for Pittsburgh with a two-run homer off Pierce Johnson in the ninth.
Williamson made his first major league appearance since Sept. 1, 2024. He missed last season following left elbow surgery.
Williamson (0-1) allowed consecutive homers in the second to O'Hearn and Reynolds that made it 5-0. It was the 139th career homer for Reynolds, tying Jason Bay for ninth on the franchise list. Chandler issued three walks in the third but allowed only one run, helped when TJ Friedl popped into a double play attempting to bunt.