Elly De La Cruz scores in the ninth as the Reds beat the Pirates 3-2

CINCINNATI (AP) — Elly De La Cruz scored on fielder's choice in the ninth inning to lift the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night in the opening game of a four-game series.

Cincinnati loaded the bases against Gregory Soto (5-3) with one out. Lowe grounded softly to second for a potential game-ending double play but beat the throw as De La Cruz scored easily. De La Cruz hit three doubles, stole two bases and had an RBI.

Emilio Pagan (3-1) got the win.

Pirates opener Yohan Ramírez pitched two scoreless innings allowing one hit with a walk and four strikeouts in his first career start after 208 relief appearances, the most by a Pirates pitcher before making a start.

The previous franchise mark was set by Michael Feliz who made his first start in 2019 after 156 relief appearances.

Matt McLain, activated from the 10-day injured list on Thursday, led off the third with a single and scored on De La Cruz's double to put the Reds ahead 1-0. Sal Stewart singled home De La Cruz to make it 2-0.

The last time he faced Pittsburgh, Rhett Lowder allowed eight earned runs in 1 1/3 innings in a 17-7 loss on May 2 at PNC Park, but he fared better on Thursday allowing two earned runs in six innings with no walks and five strikeouts.

Nick Gonzales led off the fifth with a double and later scored on Jacob Gonzalez's sacrifice fly to cut the Pirates' deficit to 2-1.

Brandon Lowe led off the sixth with his 22nd homer to tie the score 2-2.

Both teams loaded the bases in the seventh but failed to score. The teams combined to go 2 for 22 with runners in scoring position, with Cincinnati going 1 for 15.

Pirates RHP Paul Skenes (9-9, 3.65 ERA) opposes RHP Hunter Greene (2-2, 7.06) on Friday night.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Cincinnati Reds' Matt McLain rounds the bases after a double by Elly De La Cruz during the third inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, July 30, 2026 in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)

Cincinnati Reds' Elly de la Cruz scores after single by Sal Stewart during the third inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, July 30, 2026 in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)

Cincinnati Reds' Elly de la Cruz rounds the bases after single by Sal Stewart during the third inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, July 30, 2026 in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)

Cincinnati Reds' Rhett Lowder pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, July 30, 2026 in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Yohan Ramírez pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday, July 30, 2026 in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan in-form batter Shan Masood was ruled out of the second cricket test against the West Indies due to a fractured left index finger.

Masood was the only bright batting spot in Pakistan’s 90-run defeat in the first test at Trinidad when the left-hander scored a century in the first innings.

“Following a scan and clinical assessment, Shan is currently undergoing treatment from the Pakistan team medical panel,” the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement late Thursday.

Masood was relieved of the captaincy before the two-test series against the West Indies after Pakistan lost 12 of the 16 test matches under his leadership. Babar Azam returned as skipper, but could not prevent Pakistan’s eighth successive away loss in test matches at Trinidad as the team continued to struggle in red-ball cricket.

Fast bowler Jayden Seales’ short ball struck Masood on the index finger in the first innings before the left-hander went on to score his seventh test hundred.

Masood did not take the field in the West Indies second innings, but came out to bat at No. 8 after Pakistan was reduced to 53-6 while chasing 211. He visibly looked in pain before getting caught at point for three and Pakistan chase got folded for 120 runs.

Pakistan has three batters — Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel and uncapped Awais Zafar — to fill in Masood’s place for the second test, starting from Sunday.

Pakistan is scheduled to tour England for three test matches and the PCB said Masood will stay with the team. However, he is doubtful for the first test, starting at Leeds from Aug. 19 as the PCB said his participation “will depend on his recovery and clinical progress.”

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

FILE - Pakistan's Shan Masood, foreground, gestures during the third day of the second test cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan, in Cape Town, South Africa, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Halden Krog, File)