Pirates Best Lefty Starter, Snap 4-Game Skid With Win Over Reds

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Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski throws against the Detroit Tigers in the sixth inning during a baseball game, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

The Pirates finally got the better of a left-handed starting pitcher and snapped a four-game losing streak with a 4-1 win over the Reds at Great American Ballpark on Saturday night.

Scoring Plays​

Top 3rd, 3-0 PIT: Four walks and a base hit against Andrew Abbott (5-7) led to three runs for the Pirates (56-56). Bryan Reynolds and Esmerlyn Valdez drew back-to-back free passes with the bases loaded and Nick Gonzales followed with an RBI on a fielder’s choice to second.

Bottom 5th, 3-1 PIT: Jose Trevino got the Reds (52-58) on the board with a solo home run to right field off Braxton Ashcraft (11-4).

Top 6th, 4-1 PIT: The Pirates got the run back on a Henry Davis two-out single off Zach McCambley. Marcell Ozuna, who led off the inning with a double, scored from third.

Key Moments​

The Pirates loaded the bases with no outs against Andrew Abbott in the third and pushed across three runs despite only one hit in the inning.

Player of the Game​

Braxton Ashcraft had a 6.04 ERA in nine starts since the beginning of June entering play. The only thing that could stop him in this one was the rain. Ashcraft earned his team-high 11th win of the season after throwing five-strong innings.

Stat to Know​

The Pirates had lost five straight games in which they faced a left-handed starter.

Notable Performances​

• Braxton Ashcraft: 5.0 innings, two hits, one run, one walk, five strikeouts, 69 pitches/49 strikes
• Carmen Mlodzinski: 3.0 innings, one hit, no runs, one walk, four strikeouts, 47 pitches/30 strikes
• Jake Mangum: 2 for 5, one run
• Henry Davis: 1 for 3, one walk, one RBI, one run

Noteworthy​

• The game was delayed for 1 hour and 46 minutes in the sixth inning due to rain.
• Gregory Soto recorded his 14th save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning.
• Jake Mangum extended his hitting streak to nine games. Brandon Lowe extended his to seven.
• The Pirates placed 1B/OF Ryan O’Hearn on the 10-day IL with a left quad strain and reinstated C/1B Rafael Flores Jr. from the 7-day concussion IL. Pittsburgh also optioned RHP RHP Antwone Kelly to Triple-A Indianapolis and recalled RHP Isaac Mattson.
• The Pirates acquired RHP Camilo Doval and cash considerations from the Yankees for a pair of prospects.
• RHP Hunter Stratton was designated for assignment.

Up Next​

RHP Mitch Keller (6-7, 4.83 ERA) starts for the Pirates in Sunday’s finale. Pittsburgh’s offense will face a tall task in Reds RHP Chase Burns (12-1, 2.40 ERA). First pitch: 1:40 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh/93.7 The Fan.

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