Pirates, down 9 to Reds, pull off largest rally since team started in 1882 - ESPN

CINCINNATI — A surprise in 2023 following a 100-loss season, the Cincinnati Reds and their beleaguered bullpen were dealt a staggering blow by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Pirates overcame a nine-run deficit for the first time since the franchise started play in 1882 as Luis Rivas tied a career-high with five RBIs in a 13-12 victory on Saturday night.

«There really [is] not a whole lot to say,» Reds manager David Bell explained. «Our players have given absolutely every ounce of energy from Day 1 of spring training. That continued tonight; it is going to continue to the last pitch of the season.»

The Pirates came into this game 0-819 in their history when trailing by nine-plus runs in a game, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

Cincinnati, which dropped 2½ games back for the NL's last wild-card berth, opened a 9-0 lead with three runs in the first, five in the second and one in the third, then allowed 13 unanswered runs. The Reds attempted to rally but stranded the potential tying run at third base in the ninth.

«This time of the year, everybody is battling some stuff but it's meaningful baseball,» Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson said. «Everybody knows that. They put some good at-bats together and had stuff go their way. It is what it is.»

The Reds, who have lost four straight, squandered a nine-run lead for the first time since a 10-9 defeat at Milwaukee on April 28, 2004. This was the biggest blown lead in the major leagues this season, topping Seattle's 7-0 advantage in a 14-9 loss at the Chicago Cubs on April 11.

Pittsburgh, which entered the National League as Allegheny City from 1882 to 1890, had overcome eight-run deficits four times, the last when the Pirates trailed Houston 8-0 in the second inning of an 11-8 win July