Bryan Reynolds and Joey Bart hit home runs as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-2 on Saturday night.
Reynolds’ two-run homer to center field off Slade Cecconi in the sixth inning broke a 1-1 tie. Bart started the scoring with a solo homer in the second inning off starter Jordan Montgomery.
Winning pitcher Kyle Nicolas said, “Hearing the crowd go crazy like that, such a big spot in the game, it was awesome. He’s come through for us in so many ways this year. Can’t really say I’m surprised, but it was fun.”
Reynolds, who played in the All-Star Game, also walked twice. Since the beginning of June, he has raised his batting average from .249 to .287 by hitting .332.
Pirates manager Derek Shelton said, “He’s our best player and he exemplifies that every night by the way he plays. When he gets hot, he can carry us for about and have those big moments like he did tonight.”
Bart also drove in another run for the Pirates in the sixth inning, singling home Connor Joe, who had doubled. Initially, second base umpire Adrian Johnson ruled Joe out at second base on a throw by left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr., but the call was overturned after a video review.
Nicolas (2-2), the fourth of six Pittsburgh pitchers, pitched two scoreless innings for the win. Cecconi (2-7) allowed three runs in 2 1/3 innings.
David Bednar gave up a run in the ninth inning but secured his 19th consecutive save and 20th save in 23 opportunities this season. Ketel Marte hit an RBI single with two outs to bring the Diamondbacks within two runs, but pinch-hitter Alek Thomas flied out with runners on the corners to end the game.
The Pirates won for the fourth time in six games and ended the Diamondbacks’ four-game winning streak. Arizona had won eight of its previous nine games.
Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo was 3 for 3 with two doubles.
