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PITTSBURGH (AP) — Bryan De La Cruz scored two runs and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds 6-5 on Friday night.

The Pirates had lost nine consecutive games by one point since the July 30 transfer deadline before overturning a five-point deficit to beat the struggling Reds for the sixth time in eight meetings this season.

Joey Bart and Rowdy Tellez each had two hits for Pittsburgh, which has a 5-3 record since a 10-game losing streak dropped them to last place in the NL Central and effectively ended their playoff chances.

Dennis Santana (3-1) pitched two scoreless innings as a relief pitcher. David Bednar made his 23rd save when left fielder Billy McKinney grabbed a ball from Elly De La Cruz with two on base and two outs in the ninth inning.

Tyler Stephenson hit his 17th home run of the season for Cincinnati. Santiago Espinal had three hits for the Reds, but was also thrown out at second base in the seventh inning when he attempted to advance to center field on a fly ball.

Cincinnati’s struggling starting lineup suffered another setback Friday when the club placed Andrew Abbott on the 15-day injured list with a strained left shoulder. Reliever Buck Farmer started in Abbott’s place, and Farmer, Sam Moll and Tony Santillan held the Pirates hitless for four innings.

Alan Busenitz, who was supposed to take Abbott’s place on the roster, wasn’t so lucky. He allowed a leadoff single to Bart in the fifth inning and the floodgates opened. Bart scored on a double by Bryan De La Cruz as part of a comeback that brought the Pirates to within 5-4.

Pittsburgh took the lead in the sixth when Oneil Cruz led off with a double and scored on an RBI single by Bart. Tellez followed with a hit-and-run single that moved Bart to third base, and Bart jogged home on De La Cruz’s sacrifice fly to Justin Wilson (1-3).

Pittsburgh has had trouble holding leads in close games lately, but Santana went two innings with ease and Chapman escaped a two-on, two-out situation in the eighth by striking out Stuart Fairchild.

Pirates starter Bailey Falter allowed five runs in five innings, including four in a sloppy fourth. Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton turned to Falter, who responded with a scoreless fifth inning to keep the Pirates within striking distance before they started to face Cincinnati’s overwhelmed bullpen.

TRAINING ROOM

Reds: RHP Hunter Greene (right elbow soreness) is expected to return to the team this weekend after having his elbow examined in Los Angeles. … Cincinnati also placed C Austin Wynns (right shoulder) on the 60-day injured list.

Next

Jake Woodford (0-5, 6.67 ERA) will start for Pittsburgh on Saturday. The Reds have not yet announced a starter. Before the game, the Pirates will induct manager Jim Leyland, outfielder Barry Bonds and catcher Manny Sanguillén into the club’s Hall of Fame.

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