Pirates swept, sink to new offensive lows in shutout loss to Reds

Colin Beazley, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Apr 13, 2025

Published in Baseball

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CINCINNATI — The Pirates' offense sunk to new lows against a talented pitcher on Sunday at Great American Ball Park, as Pittsburgh had just two hits in a 4-0 shutout loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

The Pirates’ final 23 batters of the game were retired. They last had a baserunner in the second inning, resulting in their first series sweep of the season.

Reds starter Hunter Greene threw seven sterling innings, retiring the final 17 batters he faced. He threw 98 pitches, allowing just two hits, walking one and striking out eight batters. He’s one of the best young pitchers in the majors, but the Pirates made him look unhittable.

The Pirates (5-11) managed five runs and 10 hits in the three-game series. As a team, they are batting .184 this season.

The Pirates started quickly, putting runners on second and third in the first inning and a runner on third in the second. But right fielder Alexander Canario hit a soft line out to shortstop to strand both, while Reds second baseman Santiago Espinal tracked down catcher Henry Davis’s liner in shallow center field.

The Reds scored first with two runs in the third inning — No. 9 hitter Austin Wynns reached on a walk, then center fielder TJ Friedl doubled him to third. Both scored on a single by Espinal.

The Reds tacked on two more in the fifth inning, chasing starter Carmen Mlodzinski from the game. Mlodzinski allowed the first two batters to reach, walking No. 8 hitter Noelvi Marte and allowing a single to Wynns. Friedl scored Marte with a fielder’s choice, and Espinal singled again, chasing Mlodzinski. Shortstop Elly De La Cruz singled in a run on the first pitch he saw from reliever Joey Wentz, but Wentz escaped without any further runs.

Three clean innings from Pirate relievers Justin Lawrence, Ryan Borucki and Caleb Ferguson proved inconsequential because of Pittsburgh’s offensive struggles.

It was over when …

Once Greene found a rhythm, the Pirates never stood a chance.

On the mound

Mlodzinski threw 4 1/3 innings, allowing four earned runs on five hits and two walks. He struck out four batters. Like his first start of the season in Tampa Bay, he struggled when he faced batters for a second time.

At the plate

Designated hitter Bryan Reynolds doubled in the first inning, followed by an Oneil Cruz walk. Cruz had missed the last three games after he was hit in the hand on Tuesday, though manager Derek Shelton said he was available to pinch hit on Saturday night.

Third baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa tripled in the second inning, though it likely would have been a single with more conservative outfield play. Right fielder Jake Fraley attempted to make a diving catch and did not connect with the ball, allowing it to roll to the wall.

Most valuable player

Greene mowed down the hapless Pirates lineup and has now allowed just one run in 22-2/3 April innings. His season ERA is 0.98.

Up next

The Pirates return home for a four-game series against the Washington Nationals starting on Monday night at 6:40 p.m. ET. Paul Skenes (1-1, 3.44 ERA) will throw against Nationals right-hander Brad Lord (0-0, 1.80). Lord made his major league debut earlier this season and was used as an opener in his last start, throwing a career-high three innings against the Dodgers.

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