Pittsburgh Pirates break losing streak with 4-1 win over Reds

On August 1, 2026 the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds 4–1 at Great American Ball Park, snapping a four‑game losing streak and keeping the club at .500 in the National League wild‑card race. Starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft worked five solid innings, allowing two hits, one run, one walk and striking out five. A pair of bases‑loaded walks in the third inning gave Pittsburgh a three‑run lead, and each of Bryan Reynolds, Esmerlyn Valdez, Nick Gonzales and Henry Davis added an RBI. The game was delayed for 1 hour 46 minutes by rain, with the mound being treated during the sixth inning. After the delay, reliever Carmen Mlodzinski threw three scoreless innings and Gregory Soto closed with a 1‑2‑3 ninth for his 14th save. Manager Don Kelly praised Ashcraft’s performance, noting the win helped the Pirates stay within striking distance of the final wild‑card spot as the trade deadline approaches.