PITTSBURGH (AP) — Elly Da La Cruz hit a two-run triple in the first inning and drove in three runs, and Luke Maile belted a three-run homer as the Reds routed the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-2 for just their second victory in nine games.
De La Cruz’s triple into the right-field corner sparked a three-run first.
The rookie shortstop then scored on a double by Spencer Steer.
Reds manager David Bell shuffled his slumping team’s lineup and dropped De La Cruz from leadoff to the No. 3 spot.
The 21-year-old had hit just .207 in 22 games at the top of the order.
Maile’s homer in the fourth off Jose Oviedo extended the lead to 6-0.
Cincinnati rookie Andrew Abbott took a shutout into the sixth.