Reds swept by Pirates despite Chase Burns’ excellence on Sunday

TL;DR

The Cincinnati Reds were swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates, losing 1-0 despite Chase Burns' strong performance, where he pitched into the 8th inning without allowing a run. The Reds' offense struggled, managing only four hits throughout the game.

Key points

Chase Burns pitched into the 8th inning without allowing a run
Reds managed only 4 hits in the game
Cincinnati lost 1-0, completing a series sweep by the Pirates
Reds had runners on 2B and 3B but failed to score
Next game is against the Chicago Cubs

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Apr 21, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns (26) throws a pitch against Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images | Pablo Robles-Imagn Images

The Cincinnati Reds did not have a position player pitch on Sunday in Pittsburgh. They did not get shelled 9-1, or walk seven consecutive batters in a 17-7 drubbing. The Reds instead watched their brightest young star turn in precisely the kind of outing they needed after their starters and bullpen had been torched the previous two days by the Pirates. Chase Burns, today’s **Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game**, pitched into the 8th inning for the first time in his career, holding the Pirates scoreless for 7 frames to begin the game while allowing just 2 hits, a walk, and striking out 7. Despite being at 89 pitches at the end of the 7th, Burns was sent out for the Bottom of the 8th by manager Terry Francona. It was already the longest outing of Burns career, but veteran righty Marcell Ozuna was in the batter’s box, and Burns had handled him twice already on the day. Francona was surely trying to get a quick IP out of his resident ace, wary of leaning on his bullpen yet again on Sunday, but Ozuna fought off a Burns offering for a broken-bat single that ultimately ended Burns’ day. And, as the weekend fates would have it, reliever couldn’t keep the Pirates off the board after taking the mound even after getting a roll-over double play to retire that batter. Konnor Griffin smoked a double and later came in to score on a single by , the game’s lone run plated for the Pirates, not the Reds. went easily in the Top of the 9th, and the 1-0 loss wrapped up a sweep by the Pirates at the Reds expense. Cincinnati’s offense mustered just 4 hits on the day, with ’s double in the Top of the 8th the lone of the extra-base variety. That actually chased Pittsburgh starter and the Reds had runners on 2B and 3B ( had singled in front of Trevino), but the Reds couldn’t get a run across the plate. The key PA came with a pair of outs in that inning and lefty on the mound in relief, as Francona opted to let hit instead of pinch-hitting for him with right-handed hitter . Friedl struck out, and that ended Cincinnati’s lone, best chance. The Reds head to later this evening and will take on a rolling team that now sits atop the NL Central. Buckle up!

Q&A

What was Chase Burns' performance against the Pirates on April 21, 2026?

Chase Burns pitched into the 8th inning, allowing no runs, 2 hits, 1 walk, and striking out 7 batters.

How did the Cincinnati Reds perform offensively in their game against the Pirates?

The Reds managed only 4 hits, with Jose Trevino's double being the only extra-base hit, and they failed to score any runs.

What was the outcome of the Reds' series against the Pirates?

The Reds were swept by the Pirates, losing all three games in the series, including the final game 1-0.

Reds swept by Pirates despite Chase Burns’ excellence on Sunday

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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