Grandal’s 2-run shot beats the Reds

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Yasmani Grandal hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning, sending the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 4-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.

Bryan De La Cruz was hit by a pitch from Alexis Díaz (1-4) before Grandal connected for his seventh homer — a drive into the first row above the Clemente Wall in right field. It was Grandal’s fourth career game-ending homer.

“My 3-year-old keeps telling me to hit homers,” Grandal said. “Every time he’s said that, I’ve hit a homer. So he needs to keep telling me the same thing over and over.”

Díaz blew a save opportunity for the first time since May 13, when he allowed two runs in the ninth inning of a 6-5 loss to Arizona. It was the first loss for the closer since May 19 at the Dodgers.

“We put ourselves in a position to win,” Reds manager David Bell said. “Alexis has been through it before, so he’ll bounce back. But obviously, he’s not happy with it, but he has been great in that spot.”

Aroldis Chapman (5-4) handled the ninth for the win. Elly De La Cruz reached on a leadoff single, but Chapman picked him off before striking out Tyler Stephenson and TJ Friedl.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa had three hits for Pittsburgh, which won three of four in the series.

“The confidence that he has is really important for our group,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said of Kiner-Falefa. “I mean, this is a veteran guy that has played in some major markets. … We need that energy in our clubhouse. He stepped right into our clubhouse, has a leadership role, has a ton of energy.”

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Pirates: RHP Mitch Keller (11-7, 3.76 ERA) will take the mound Monday to begin a three-game series against the Cubs, starting opposite RHP Jameson Taillon (8-8, 3.77 ERA).