The Pittsburgh Pirates were edged 2-1 by the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night at PNC Park.

Braxton Ashcraft made his second start for the Pirates and threw 3.1-solid innings, but Reds starter Nick Martinez held the offense to just one run in seven frames.

The Pirates (51-67) will go for the series win in the final game of the homestand against the Reds (61-57) on Sunday afternoon.

First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh, MLB Network and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-80s. Winds SE at 3-4 mph.

RHP Mike Burrows (1-4, 4.45 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Burrows took the loss against the San Francisco Giants earlier in the homestand after allowing six runs across 4.2 innings.

In his first three starts after the break prior to his most recent, Burrows posted a 1.59 ERA and struck out 18 batters in 17 innings.

Burrows is in search of his first win since June 4 against the Houston Astros. The rookie right-hander is 0-3 with a 4.22 ERA over his last 11 starts.

This will be his first time facing the Reds.

RHP Zack Littell (9-8, 3.46 ERA) Will Start for the Reds

Littell was acquired by the Reds from the Rays the day before the trade deadline in exchange for a pair of minor-leaguers.

He made his team debut on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs and struck out a season-high eight batters across seven innings of one-run ball.

Over his last two starts, the right-hander only allowed one run on five hits with 12 strikeouts in 12 innings.

Little has allowed three runs on seven hits in four innings across four relief appearances against the Pirates.

Reds Hitters vs. Burrows

Pirates Hitters vs. Littell

Tommy Pham: 3 for 10, one double, one RBI, two walks, two strikeouts
Bryan Reynolds: 3 for 3, one double, one RBI

Tidbits

In addition to setting a career-high in innings on Saturday, Braxton Ashcraft struck out five batters, the most he’s had in a game in his career.
Mike Burrows allowed a career-high three home runs in his last start. He had only given up one home run across five appearances (23.1 innings) in July.
Henry Davis has a 2.87 catcher’s ERA. That’s the lowest in baseball among backstops who have caught at least 450 innings this season.

Links

Pirates’ Handling of Braxton Ashcraft a Wise Choice… for Now

No Late Inning Magic This Time From Pirates in Loss to Reds

5 Minor-League Hitters Who Could Get Chance With Pirates By End of Season

Turning a Corner? Bryan Reynolds Returning to Form After Subpar First Half

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