Cincinnati Reds edge Pirates on walk-off fielder’s choice

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Cincinnati Reds edge Pirates on walk-off fielder’s choice

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Cincinnati’s Elly De La Cruz doubled three times and scored the winning run as the Reds defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 in Thursday’s series opener at Great American Ball Park. De La Cruz reached base four times and led off the ninth inning with a 115.7 mph double to left field to ignite the decisive rally. With the bases loaded, Nathaniel Lowe beat out a potential inning-ending double play on a ground ball, allowing De La Cruz to cross the plate with the walk-off run.

Published 2026-07-31 04:36:30 UTC · Published by JQJO

Published by JQJO Editorial Desk · AI assisted

More context

Timeline

On July 30, 2025, both teams previously faced off in regular-season MLB competition.
On May 19, 2026, Reds pitcher Rhett Lowder surrendered eight earned runs against Pittsburgh.
On July 30, 2026, Matt McLain was activated from the 10-day injured list.
On July 30, 2026, Yohan Ramírez made his first career major league start.
On July 30, 2026, Elly De La Cruz hit an RBI double in the third.
On July 30, 2026, Brandon Lowe hit his 23rd home run in the sixth.
On July 30, 2026, Elly De La Cruz hit a leadoff double in the ninth.
On July 30, 2026, Nathaniel Lowe beat out a fielder's choice grounder.
On July 30, 2026, Elly De La Cruz scored the winning run.
On July 30, 2026, the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2.
The Cincinnati Reds will continue their four-home game series against Pittsburgh.
Elly De La Cruz will look to maintain his extra-base hit momentum.
The Reds will push to close their gap in the wildcard standings.
Nathaniel Lowe will aim to solidify his late-game clutch hitting role.
Pittsburgh will seek redemption in the subsequent games of the series.

Why it matters

The victory boosts Cincinnati's morale during the mid-summer wildcard race. Momentum from dramatic walk-offs can catalyze a second-half team surge. The most affected group is Cincinnati Reds fans and baseball enthusiasts. Readers should prioritize official MLB box scores and beat reporter updates.

Coverage notes

Left: Evidence was insufficient to determine a typical left-leaning framing. Center: Reports focus strictly on game statistics, player milestones, and plays. Right: Evidence was insufficient to determine a typical right-leaning framing.