Noelvi Marte had three hits and an RBI and scored the eventual winning run to lead the Cincinnati Reds to a 2-1 victory over the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night.

Marte’s efforts backed up a quality start from Nick Martinez (10-9), who gave up one run on four hits over seven innings to help the Reds snap a three-game losing streak.

The Pirates had one last chance in the ninth to record what would have been their fifth win in a row against Cincinnati this season and third of this series. Reds closer Emilio Pagan issued a leadoff walk to Oneil Cruz but recovered by inducing a flyout from Andrew McCutchen. Cincinnati’s defense did the rest as shortstop Elly De La Cruz caught a line drive from Nick Gonzales and doubled up Cruz at first base to end the game.

Pagan secured his 25th save of the season.

Marte roped a double to left field off Pirates long reliever Carmen Mlodzinski (2-7) to lead off the top of the seventh. Ryan Borucki replaced Mlodzinski on the mound one out later. He retired TJ Friedl on a fly to right, but it was deep enough for Marte to score on the sacrifice and give the Reds their eventual winning margin.

Pittsburgh used an opener on Saturday, as rookie Braxton Ashcraft started the game and threw 3 1/3 innings. He gave up one run on three hits, walked one and struck out five on 56 pitches.

The Pirates struck first on a sacrifice fly by Tommy Pham, which scored Jared Triolo in the bottom of the third. Triolo doubled off Cincinnati starter Martinez to lead off the frame and advanced to third on a Spencer Horwitz single.

Ashcraft was pulled after giving up a single to Spencer Steer with one out in the fourth inning and replaced by Mlodzinski. After Tyler Stephenson struck out, Marte tied the game 1-1 with a double into the left field corner that scored Steer.

Mlodzinski gave up one run on three hits, struck out three and did not walk a batter.

Horwitz led the Pirates with two of their seven hits. Steer had two hits for Cincinnati, which totaled seven.

–Field Level Media