“Ashcraft’s few early spring starts carried over,” manager David Bell said. He just attacked and threw strikes. His slider got better as the match progressed. Taking seven innings was very important for the Outbull Pen, and I prepared them to finish it off.

The right-hander had the longest outing as a Reds starter in his young season, as Cincinnati won two straight games after losing the season opener. Hunter Green scored 3-1/3 innings in the opener and Nick Rodro on Saturday he pitched 5 innings.

“I loved the second half of the game,” said Ashcraft.

Tyler Stevenson also ran, with Fossler, Friedl and Jonathan India each giving the Reds two hits.

Alex Young and Derek Law had two leadoff hits in the eighth to keep it 3-1. Alexis Diaz pitched the ninth inning on his first save.

Vince Velazquez (0-1) made his Pirates debut after signing as a free agent in December. The temperature during the game was 49 degrees for him, and Velasquez said he struggled to hold onto the ball at times, but he didn’t want to use that as an excuse.

“I felt phenomenal,” he said. “I think the ball came out well. ”

Fossler, who made the Reds a non-roster player after signing a minor-league contract on February 1 as a free agent, slammed a 2-1 slider into the right field seat 365 feet with one out in the second.

Stevenson drove India from second base, grazing shortstop O’Neill Cruz’s glove in the third inning and going into short left field.

Reynolds, who led Pittsburgh with 27 home runs last season, led the fourth with a 410-foot homer to center field for the first time in the season. Pittsburgh has scored three goals in his last two games.

“We’ve faced some pretty good pitching,” said Pirates manager Derek Shelton. We had a few chances along the way, we just didn’t get the big hits.”

Friedl knocked out Velázquez with a two-out home run in the fifth inning, flying 392 feet into right field for his first hit of the season. He later added a bunt single.

“It was good to get the first hit,” Friedl said. He hit many home runs and bunts. Bunting is part of my game. Ke’Bryan Hayes has been my face throughout the series. When Jonathan hit that hit, it was the perfect time to start the rally, but I wanted the pitcher to make his field. ”

Unlike Lodoro on Saturday, Ashcraft made just nine pitches to make it through the first inning. Lodro used a 35 while giving up the run and keeping the bases loaded. Ashcraft he needed 70 to finish five innings. Lodoro threw a 109.

With Jonathan India at first base, two outs and Jake Fraley at the plate on a 2-2 count, Velázquez was handed an automatic ball after a timer violation. Fraley walked ahead of Stephenson’s run score his single.

Pirates: RHP JT Brubaker (elbow discomfort) will be reassessed earlier this week, manager Derek Shelton said. announced that it had been moved to the list.

Reds: IF-OF Nick Senzel (left big toe surgery in November) and RHP Tony Santilán (hip stress fracture) returned from rehab work in Arizona on Tuesday and were sent to the minor leagues for further rehab duties. manager David Bell said. He said.

Pirates: RHP Johan Oviedo will make his first career start against Boston on Monday in the three-game series opener at Fenway Park.

Reds: RHP Conor Overton is the scheduled starter for Monday’s opener of the three-game home series against the Chicago Cubs.