Pittsburgh Pirates Take Two of Three From the Struggling Cincinnati Reds

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 15: Jacob Stallings #58 celebrates with Wilmer Difo #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates after sliding in safe against Tucker Barnhart #16 of the Cincinnati Reds in the ninth inning to win the game 5-4 during the game at PNC Park on September 15, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Puerto Rican MLB players and staff are being given the option of wearing #21 in honor of Roberto Clemente Day. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 15: Jacob Stallings #58 celebrates with Wilmer Difo #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates after sliding in safe against Tucker Barnhart #16 of the Cincinnati Reds in the ninth inning to win the game 5-4 during the game at PNC Park on September 15, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Puerto Rican MLB players and staff are being given the option of wearing #21 in honor of Roberto Clemente Day. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Ben Gamel #18 of the Pittsburgh Pirates signs autographs before the game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on September 16, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Ben Gamel #18 of the Pittsburgh Pirates signs autographs before the game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on September 16, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Despite getting their best pitching performance of the series in the series finale… the Pittsburgh Pirates once again came up short in their efforts to sweep a series

It’s no secret that the 2021 season has been a tough one for the Pittsburgh Pirates. On their way to a third consecutive last place finish in the National League Central the only real question that remains for the Pirates is will they finish with the third overall pick in next summer’s draft, or will they outdo the Texas Rangers on the field and earn the fourth overall selection.

Despite the team’s season long struggles, to their credit, the Pittsburgh Pirates have put themselves in a position to finish the season strong. After taking two out of three games from the Cincinnati Reds in a series at PNC Park the Pirates are now 5-2-1 in their last 8 series played and 12-13 in their last 25 games played.

While a 12-13 record in a 25 game stretch may not sound great, when a team is 54-92 playing .500 ball during a 25 game stretch is undoubtedly a step in the right direction. This stretch is also setting the Pittsburgh Pirates up to finish the season strong and build momentum entering the offseason.

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