Pirates Fall to Cincinnati on Friday Night

August 12, 2023 4:03 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Elly Da La Cruz hit a two-run triple in the first inning and drove in three runs, and Luke Maile belted a three-run homer as the Cincinnati Reds routed the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-2 for just their second victory in nine games. De La Cruz’s triple into the right-field corner sparked a three-run first. The rookie shortstop then scored on a double by Spencer Steer. Reds manager David Bell shuffled his slumping team’s lineup and dropped De La Cruz from leadoff to the No. 3 spot. The 21-year-old had hit just .207 in 22 games at the top of the order. Maile’s homer in the fourth off Jose Oviedo extended the lead to 6-0. Cincinnati rookie Andrew Abbott took a shutout into the sixth.