Marte's game-saving catch lifts Reds past Pirates, tightening NL wild-card race

The Cincinnati Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 on Thursday night at Great American Ball Park, thanks to Noelvi Marte's leaping catch in the top of the ninth that would have spoiled the game-tying opportunity for Pittsburgh. The win pulled Cincinnati within a half-game of the New York Mets in the National League wild-card race, and the Reds hold the tiebreaker over the Mets.

In the ninth, Pirates right fielder Bryan Reynolds faced Reds closer Emilio Pagan with one out. Reynolds drove a 3-0 pitch to right field that would have tied the game, but Marte rose at the wall and dragged the ball back onto the field for an out. The ball would have left the yard in seven of 20 ballparks, Baseball Savant noted, underscoring the significance of the play. Marte had not previously been an outfielder this season; Thursday's game at Great American Ball Park marked his 51st appearance in right field in 2025.

Marte's transition to the outfield has been guided by Reds outfield coach Collin Cowgill, who has worked with him for months. After the game, Reds manager Terry Francona credited the catch to hard work and timing. "Under the circumstances, that's one of the best plays I've ever seen," Francona said. Cowgill noted Marte's continued improvement and the support from the coaching staff in making the positional change.

The victory prevented a season-sweep by a 90-loss Pirates club and boosted Cincinnati's position in the wild-card chase. The Reds are now within a half-game of the Mets, who hold the tiebreaker over Cincinnati, and both teams remain in the mix for the NL's final playoff spot alongside the Diamondbacks. The Mets and Diamondbacks have been in a tight battle for the third wild-card berth, and every late-season result looms large for both teams.

With the regular season winding down, the NL wild-card picture remains unsettled. Cincinnati will try to carry Thursday night’s momentum into its remaining games against fellow contenders, while the Mets and Diamondbacks monitor standings and head-to-head results for tiebreaker implications. The Pirates, meanwhile, were left to rue a late rally that fell short, as Marte’s catch delivered a pivotal moment in the race.

The NL wild-card picture remains unsettled as the season closes, but Cincinnati can point to one moment that could shift momentum in their favor. The team has a chance to continue building on Thursday night’s performance as it seeks to close the gap in the standings.