The Cincinnati Reds wasted what was arguably the best start of Chase Burns' young career on Sunday, falling 1-0 to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a frustrating series finale at PNC Park.
Burns was absolutely dominant, tossing seven shutout innings while striking out seven batters with remarkable efficiency. It was exactly the kind of performance a taxed pitching staff desperately needed. Coming into the game, the Reds had just endured their two shortest starts of the season, putting enormous pressure on the bullpen. Burns not only delivered a gem but also pitched into the eighth inning, giving the relief corps a much-needed breather.
Unfortunately, the Reds' offense chose the wrong day to go silent. Despite entering the series with serious momentum, Cincinnati was swept in Pittsburgh—a ballpark that continues to haunt them. The Reds have now lost 48 of their last 69 games at PNC Park and 17 of their last 12 overall there.
The game stayed scoreless until the bottom of the eighth inning. Setup reliever Tony Santillan came on to keep the tie intact but ran into trouble with two outs. Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin doubled to start the rally, and after Santillan walked No. 9 hitter Jake Magnum, Pittsburgh's best hitter Oneil Cruz stepped to the plate and delivered a single to center field, scoring Griffin and giving the Pirates the lead.
The Reds had their best chance to answer in the top half of the same inning. Backup catcher Jose Trevino doubled, putting two runners in scoring position with two outs. The Pirates countered by bringing in a left-handed reliever to face Reds center fielder TJ Friedl. Manager Terry Francona had the option to pinch-hit with Dane Myers, who had been platooning with Friedl. But Friedl had been swinging a hot bat, so Francona stuck with him. Friedl struck out, ending the inning and the Reds' best scoring opportunity.
Francona rolled out a new-look lineup to try to spark the offense. Left fielder JJ Bleday made his second start in the No. 2 spot, Matt McLain hit ninth for the first time all season, and Sal Stewart started at third base to get Will Benson's bat in the lineup. Slumping Ke'Bryan Hayes watched from the bench.
Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft—no relation to Reds reliever Graham Ashcraft—was equally impressive, allowing just four hits over 7 2/3 shutout innings. He challenged the Reds with a big fastball and a curveball that he used as his primary weapon.
The silver lining? Burns' brilliant outing saved the bullpen and gave the Reds a fresh pitching staff heading into Monday, when top prospect Chase Petty is scheduled to be called up. For a team that thrives on momentum, that might be the spark they need to turn the page on a disappointing series in Pittsburgh.