Ji Hwan Bae's 1st career homer helps Pirates top Red Sox 4-1
Pittsburgh Pirates' Ji Hwan Bae, right, is congratulated by Canaan Smith-Njigba after his two run, home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Boston. At center is Boston Red Sox catcher Reese McGuire. Credit: AP/Charles Krupa
BOSTON — Ji Hwan Bae hit his first career homer, Bryan Reynolds went deep for the third time in two games, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Boston Red Sox 4-1 on Tuesday night.
Roansy Contreras (1-0) held the Red Sox to three hits over 5 2/3 innings. He retired 13 straight after giving up a run in the first. David Bednar got the final three outs for his third save.
Reynolds’ drive off Nick Pivetta (0-1) went into Boston's bullpen and made it 3-1 in the third. He added an RBI single in the seventh.
The Red Sox, who scored at least six runs in each of their first four games, managed just one on Masataka Yoshida's first-inning groundout.
Canaan Smith-Njigba reached on McGuire’s passed ball following his swinging strikeout with two outs in the second. Bae then hit Pivetta's 95-mph fastball barely over the Green Monster.
Pivetta gave up three runs, one earned, with six strikeouts in five innings.
Bae, who started at second base and moved to center in the eighth, robbed Rafael Devers of an extra-base hit when he made a leaping grab against the Green Monster.
Pittsburgh Pirates' Bryan Reynolds celebrates while rounding the bases on his solo home run off Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Nick Pivetta during the third inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Boston. Credit: AP/Charles Krupa
HAVE A SNACK
Pirates first baseman Carlos Santana headed toward the stands to get a foul ball that landed in the seats. Before he returned to his position, he ate some popcorn a fan handed him through the net.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Pirates: Placed C Austin Hedges on the seven-day concussion injured list and selected catcher Tyler Heineman from Triple-A Indianapolis.
Pittsburgh Pirates' Bryan Reynolds watches the flight of his solo home run off Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Nick Pivetta during the third inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Boston. Credit: AP/Charles Krupa
Red Sox: Manager Alex Cora said RHP Brayan Bello (right elbow inflammation) and LHP James Paxton (strained right hamstring) both had their rehab work moved to their spring training complex.
UP NEXT
Pirates: RHP Mitch Keller (0-0, 7.71 ERA) is scheduled to start Wednesday afternoon’s series finale.
Red Sox: Veteran RHP Corey Kluber (0-1, 13.50) is set to go after getting roughed up for five runs over 3 1/3 innings in their opener against Baltimore.
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