The Reds fought back and took a 3-2 lead in the 7th inning, but were unable to hold on to it. In Cincinnati, the Pirates hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 9th inning, giving Pittsburgh a 4-3 win on Sunday afternoon and a 3-1 series win.

Cincinnati was dangerous in the first inning but left two runners behind. Pittsburgh was dangerous in the second inning but was able to pull ahead with an RBI groundout by Joey Bart that gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead. Bart was injured running out the grounder and left the game.

Two innings later, the Pirates were back against Nick Martinez. Michael A. Taylor led off with a single, advanced on a ground out, and then scored on a single by Bryan Reynolds, giving Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead.

After throwing 54 pitches in three innings, Cincinnati went to the bullpen and brought in Carson Spiers. The rookie came in and held the Pirates scoreless in the 4th, 5th and 6th innings. However, Luis Ortiz did the same for the Reds, allowing Pittsburgh to protect its 2-run lead.

But the Pirates called up their bullpen to start the 7th inning and the Reds offense – perhaps relieved to see Ortiz out of the game – went to work. Noelvi Marte started a 1-out rally with a single and then advanced to third base on a double by Jonathan India. With two on base, Pittsburgh went back to its bullpen to turn over and hit right-handed Elly De La Cruz. Their plan didn’t work as he hit the first pitch he saw to center for an RBI single and as the throw went to the plate, De La Cruz entered second base.

An intentional walk by Tyler Stephenson loaded the bases and put the Pirates back in a left-handed duel against TJ Friedl. Like De La Cruz, he put the ball in play on the first pitch he saw, but he laid down a sacrifice bunt to score the tying point that also resulted in a pitcher’s error that allowed Friedl to arrive safely and load the bases. Spencer Steer followed with a walk to score the lead point and cap a 3-run inning.

Carson Spires returned with a lead to the bottom of the 7th inning and threw his 4th shutout inning of the day. Cincinnati turned the game over to Emilio Pagan in the 8th inning and he escaped a small stalemate after allowing a single and having a runner in scoring position, maintaining a 1-run lead and sending the game into the 9th inning.

Aroldis Chapman allowed an infield hit by Elly De La Cruz in the 9th inning, but caught it and then struck out the next two batters. Alexis Diaz came on for the Reds in the 9th inning and grounded out Rowdy Tellez with the first pitch. But the next pitch hit Bryan De La Cruz and put the tying run on base. Four pitches later, Yasmani Grandal hit a walk-off home run into the first row of right-center seats to give the Pirates a 4-3 win and the series victory.

Key moment of the game

Yasmani Grandal hits a walk-off home run.

Noteworthy information

Brooks Kriske was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles. The Reds had designated him for transfer earlier this week.

Elly De La Cruz was the only Red with two hits in the game. Tyler Stephenson and Spencer Steer each had a hit and a walk.

The Reds pitchers didn’t walk anyone and only struck out two batters.

Carson Spires, who did not play in his last outing and allowed 13 hits and 10 runs in 4.1 innings against Toronto, put in an outstanding performance against the Pirates on Sunday, delivering four innings without conceding a score as a relief pitcher.

Next up for the Cincinnati Reds

Oakland Athletics vs. Cincinnati Reds

Tuesday, August 27, 6:40 p.m. ET

TBA vs TBA