30,725 fans came to Great American Ballpark in late September to see the Cincinnati Reds with a chance to move back into the final National League wildcard spot. After 11 innings, they went home disappointed, frustrated and confused as Cincinnati lost their second straight to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Terry Francona and the Reds knew it would not be easy. They were facing Paul Skenes, the likely National League Cy Young winner. It was not easy. Skenes went six innings, allowed just four hits, and struck out seven Reds batters. He left the game and Pittsburgh led the game 2-0.
But, the Reds got to the Pirates' bullpen and tied the game up with Tyler Stephenson's home run in the bottom of the ninth. Cincinnati fans felt they were going to get this one done. They were looking at the out-of-town scoreboard and the Mets were getting clubbed by the Chicago Cubs.
The Cincinnati Reds lose in 11 innings to the Pirates.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 25, 2025
The New York Mets are getting routed, 10-2, by the Cubs in the 8th.
If the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Dodgers, they'll pass the Reds and move into a tie with the Mets for the final wild-card spot, and own the tiebreaker.
But the Pirates scored a run in the tenth inning. So did Cincinnati. Pittsburgh then saw Spener Horowitz double in a run in the top of the 11th, and the Reds could not find a way to score with lead-off runner on second and no one out.
A crushing loss for the home team. The Reds fell to 80-78, and thanks to the Cubs will remain just a game out. But Cincinnati owns the tiebreaker, so a win would have put the Reds back in wildcard No. 3 with four games to go.
Now it is up to Nick Lodolo on Thursday afternoon to get the Reds back on track. He will take on Braxton Ashcraft of the Pirates.
The @Pirates have won 4 straight after emerging victorious in an 11-inning thriller!
— MLB (@MLB) September 25, 2025
(MLB x GEICO) pic.twitter.com/EmKQ6yzbyB
It was the fourth straight win for Pittsburgh, as they have enjoyed the spoiler role.