Postgame Takeaways: Cincinnati Reds Beat Pittsburgh Pirates 11-5

That was a fun game to watch!

Greg Kuffner | Jun 24, 2024

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) returns to the dugout after scoring in the fourth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park on Monday, June 24, 2024. / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY

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Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-5 on Monday night at Great American Ball Park.

Both teams are now 37-41 on the season.

Here are our takeaways:

Offensive Fireworks

The Reds trailed 1-0 early on and it was looking like it might be another disappointing day for the offense. Then, the bats came alive. Jonathan India and Elly De La Cruz started the bottom half of the fourth inning with singles. They moved over after a Jeimer Candelario groundout. Spencer Steer doubled to the left-center gap to give the Reds a 2-1 lead. After an infield single from Tyler Stephenson, Stuart Fairchild hit a double to the wall to increase the lead to 4-1. Levi Jordan, making his big league debut, got his first RBI of his career with a sacrifice fly to right field.

The Reds weren't done. In the fifth, India and De La Cruz hit back-to-back doubles to make it a 6-3 ballgame. Steer singled later in the inning to score De La Cruz and increase the lead to four.

In the sixth inning, Jordan got his first MLB hit with a double off the right-field wall. Luke Maile followed with an RBI single. India roped a double off the left-field wall for his third hit of the night that scored Maile. Then, De La Cruz followed with one of the longest home runs you'll ever see at Great American Ball Park to make it a 11-3 game. Watch the homer here.

Carson Spiers Quality Start

Spiers, facing the Pirates for the second consecutive start, threw six innings, giving up three runs on seven hits. He walked a batter and struck out five. Spiers gave the Reds a much-needed quality start. His ERA now sits at 3.45 on the season.

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