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On April 20th, 2023, two National League Central rivals, the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates, faced off in a thrilling matchup at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. The game showcased the talents of both teams and highlighted the intense competition between the two clubs.
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The Reds came into the game with a 10-7 record, sitting in third place in the NL Central behind the Milwaukee Brewers and the St. Louis Cardinals. Meanwhile, the Pirates were struggling with a 5-13 record, sitting at the bottom of the division. However, divisional matchups like this one always have the potential to surprise.
The game started off in favor of the Reds, with starting pitcher Luis Castillo delivering a dominant performance on the mound. Castillo, who had struggled in his previous few starts, was able to limit the Pirates to just one run over six innings of work. The lone run came on a solo home run by Pirates outfielder Travis Swaggerty in the second inning.
The Reds’ offense, led by superstar outfielder Nick Castellanos, was able to respond quickly. In the top of the third inning, Castellanos hit a two-run home run to give the Reds a 2-1 lead. The home run was Castellanos’ eighth of the season, continuing his hot start to the year.
The Pirates were able to tie the game up in the bottom of the seventh inning, thanks to an RBI single by second baseman Rodolfo Castro. However, the Reds responded immediately in the top of the eighth inning, scoring three runs to take a commanding 5-2 lead. The big blow in the inning was a two-run double by first baseman Joey Votto, who had been struggling at the plate to start the season.
The Pirates didn’t go down without a fight, however. In the bottom of the eighth inning, they scored two runs to cut the deficit to 5-4. The rally was fueled by a two-run double by third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, who had been one of the few bright spots for the Pirates this season.
The game came down to the ninth inning, with the Reds holding on to a one-run lead. Closer Amir Garrett was called upon to close out the game for the Reds, and he delivered. Despite allowing a leadoff single to Swaggerty, Garrett was able to retire the next three batters to earn the save and secure the victory for the Reds.
The game was a microcosm of the Reds’ season so far. Despite some struggles from their starting pitching, their offense has been able to carry them to victories. Castellanos has been one of the best hitters in all of baseball to start the season, and he continued his torrid pace with his home run in this game. Votto, who had been struggling at the plate, delivered a clutch hit when the Reds needed it most.
For the Pirates, the game was yet another frustrating loss in a season that has been full of them. Despite some promising young talent like Hayes and Swaggerty, the team has struggled to put together consistent performances. Their starting pitching has been particularly shaky, with the team’s ERA sitting near the bottom of the league.
However, there were still some positive takeaways from the game for the Pirates. Hayes, in particular, had a strong performance, going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Swaggerty also had a solid game, going 2-for-4 with a home run and a single.
Overall, the game was a thrilling matchup between two NL Central rivals. The Reds were able to come out on top, thanks to a strong offensive performance and some clutch pitching from their bullpen.
