Marte's game-saving catch preserves Reds' win over Pirates, keeping playoff hopes alive

The Cincinnati Reds kept their faint postseason hopes alive Thursday by defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 at Great American Ball Park. Noelvi Marte's dramatic ninth-inning grab over the wall on Bryan Reynolds' would-be game-tying homer capped a win that prevented a possible three-game skid. Marte also provided an early spark with an RBI single in the fifth, and Gavin Lux added a run-scoring hit later in the frame.

The Reds built their lead in the fifth inning, scoring twice. Marte's RBI single produced the first run, and Lux followed with an RBI single later in the same inning to push Cincinnati ahead 2-0. The Pirates briefly threatened in the ninth, pulling within one, but Marte's catch preserved the lead and set the stage for a tense finish.

Pirates manager Don Kelly called the series competitive, praising both teams for defense and pitching. He noted that Reynolds could have tied the game and that Marte's defensive play changed the momentum.

The result matters in the NL Central race. The Reds entered the game trailing Milwaukee and Chicago, two teams that have already clinched playoff berths. Cincinnati moved a step closer to keeping its postseason hopes alive as it heads into a three-game series with Milwaukee starting Friday. Milwaukee finished the season with 96 wins, the most in MLB this year. The Pirates, eliminated from postseason contention earlier in the day, will close their season with a three-game set at Atlanta against the Braves.

The Reds will meet the Brewers in Milwaukee for a three-game series beginning Friday, a swing that could influence final standings in the tightly bunched division. The Pirates wrap their slate in Atlanta against the Braves. This outcome, coupled with the final days of the schedule, will help determine whether Cincinnati can keep its faint postseason thread intact down the stretch.