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From Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, the Reds even the Division Series at a game apiece with a 6-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
On a cool October afternoon, Alex Miranda was the story. The right-hander from La Romana, Dominican Republic, gave the Reds eight dominant innings, allowing just three hits and one run while striking out five. He set the tone early and never let Pittsburgh back in it.
Cincinnati’s offense wasted no time. In the bottom of the first, Ruben Soto provided the spark — a two-run homer that put the Reds ahead 2-0. An inning later, Mike Cook followed with a solo shot to make it 3-0. Then, in the fifth, Angelo Liotta launched his second home run of the series, extending the lead to 5-0.
The Pirates managed just three hits on the day, their lone run coming in the ninth on a double by Justin Pitre, but by then it was too little, too late.
A raucous crowd of more than 47,000 saw Cincinnati close it out behind Miranda, and this best-of-five now shifts to Pittsburgh all tied at one. Game 3 is Tuesday from PNC Park.
And for the Reds, on this day in October, it was about power at the plate and command on the mound — and it sets up a pivotal matchup in what’s become a best-of-three series.
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