The Pirates have had three chances in September alone to get their first sweep on the season.
They once again had that opportunity down 1-0 in the bottom of the 9th, two outs and runners on second and third.
Hoy Park came up to bat and with three balls and two strikes, swung and missed to end the game.
With the loss, the Pirates remain the only team in the Major Leagues without a sweep in 2021.
The last time the Pirates went this late into the season without a sweep was in 1995.
After dropping six straight on the road, the Pirates have gone 6-3 this homestand.
With five series remaining (six games at home) if the Pirates don’t record a sweep, they’ll become the only team in MLB history not to have at least one in a season.
Overton serves as opener
Newly acquired pitcher Connor Overton did the job he was sent out to do on Thursday afternoon starting in the finale against the Cincinnati Reds.
Pitching three innings allowing two hits, one walk, three strikeouts and most importantly no runs, Overton’s role was more an opener compared a starter.
In his brief Pirates career, Overton has now pitched four scoreless innings.
Pitcher Will Crowe came in to bat for Overton in the third and struck out.
Pinch hitter Asdrúbal Cabrera gave the Reds the lead with the first run of the game in the top of the seventh when he hit a sacrifice fly to left-center field, scoring pinch runner Delino DeShields.
Quick notes
Leadoff man Ke'Bryan Hayes went 2-for-4 with two singles, Bryan Reynolds went 1-for-4 and Ben Gamel went 2-for-3.
Sam Howard took over to Overton pitching one inning, Cody Ponce threw three, giving up one earned run, Chasen Shreve one and Shelby Miller one.
Larry Richert throws out first pitch
Our friend at our brother station KDKA Radio, Larry Richert, threw out the first pitch on Thursday in celebration of his 20-year anniversary of hosting the KDKA Radio Morning Show.
A five-time Little League All-Star second baseman, Richert had no trouble nailing a strike into the Pirate Parrot’s giant glove.
Richert’s son and daughter along with their kids and his mother-in-law were on hand to celebrate the occasion.
In addition to his duties at KDKA, Larry is also the voice of the Steelers at Heinz Field and can be heard on the Fan ever Friday during the fall covering Pitt football from the sidelines.
Related
