North Shore Nine

The Pirates fell 2–1 to the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday afternoon, missing a sweep but still claiming the series. It was a game dominated by pitching, with Braxton Ashcraft and Nick Lodolo trading zeroes for much of the day.

Ashcraft closed an impressive rookie season with 4.1 innings of two-run ball, striking out five and finishing the year with a 2.71 ERA. Long viewed as a prospect with injury concerns, the right-hander stayed healthy and became a reliable bulk-inning option—a bright spot for a staff that carried the club all season. The bullpen kept things tight, as Kyle Nicolas and Carmen Mlodzinski combined for 3.2 scoreless frames.

The Reds, fighting to stay alive in the Wild Card race, leaned on Lodolo to stop the bleeding. He tied his career high with 12 strikeouts over seven dominant innings before leaving with a precautionary groin issue. Cincinnati’s bullpen allowed a late run but held firm to secure a must-win game.

Pittsburgh’s offense again came up empty, collecting only three hits and striking out 14 times. Spencer Horwitz provided the lone spark with an eighth-inning double and the team’s only run, but it wasn’t enough. The lack of production highlighted a season-long theme: strong pitching undermined by an anemic attack.

With a 69–90 record and another 90-loss season confirmed, attention now shifts to a critical offseason. The Pirates’ young arms offer promise, but significant upgrades at the plate are essential if they hope to compete in 2026.