The game was decided before most fans had settled into their seats. Pittsburgh exploded for five runs in the first inning and added five more in the second, building an insurmountable 10-3 lead that carried them to a 17-7 rout of Cincinnati at PNC Park.
Konnor Griffin went 4-for-5 with 2 RBI to pace the Pirates' 19-hit attack. Marcell Ozuna added 3-for-5 with 3 RBI, while Ryan O'Hearn contributed 2-for-4 with 3 RBI. Spencer Horwitz drove in 3 runs despite going hitless in his final four at-bats.
The decisive first inning began when Nathaniel Lowe's ground rule double scored JJ Bleday and Elly De La Cruz for Cincinnati. Pittsburgh answered immediately as Brandon Lowe singled home Oneil Cruz, then O'Hearn doubled to score Lowe and send Bryan Reynolds to third. Nick Gonzales grounded out to bring Reynolds home, Ozuna doubled to score O'Hearn, and Griffin capped the frame with another RBI double.
Carmen Mlodzinski earned the victory despite allowing 5 runs over 5.2 innings, striking out 10. Rhett Lowder absorbed the loss after surrendering 8 runs in just 1.1 innings, walking four batters in the chaotic second inning that saw Pittsburgh score five times on four walks and a fielder's choice.
Pittsburgh snapped a five-game losing streak to improve to 16-16. Reynolds reached 200 career doubles in this game, while Ozuna sits one home run away from 300 for his career. Cincinnati fell to 20-11 despite JJ Bleday's 2-for-4 performance with a home run and 2 RBI.