The Cincinnati Reds showcased their offensive prowess in an 8-3 victory against the Baltimore Orioles, highlighted by Andrew Abbott's stellar pitching performance. Abbott, making his season debut after a shoulder injury, struck out 11 batters while allowing only one run through six innings. His dominance on the mound was complemented by powerful swings from Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain, each hitting three-run homers to provide ample support. The Reds have been on a roll, winning four of their last six games.

Elly De La Cruz's home run, his fourth of the season, was initially ruled a double but overturned after review, showcasing the Reds' ability to capitalize on opportunities. The Reds' lineup appears to be gaining momentum as they look to continue their strong performance through the remainder of the season.

Spencer Steer is set to return to the Cincinnati Reds' infield, bringing much-needed reinforcements to a struggling defense that has already committed 14 errors this season. After a seven-week rehabilitation following a shoulder injury, Steer, who has been serving as the designated hitter thus far, is expected to debut at first base this weekend. His return coincides with Christian Encarnacion-Strand's stint on the injured list due to lower back inflammation, making Steer's presence even more critical.

The Reds have shown some defensive improvement this season, ranking among the top three teams in various metrics. However, their last outing raised concerns after committing four errors in a single game, leading to six unearned runs. Bench coach Freddie Benavides expressed optimism that Steer's return will significantly benefit a team that already has been plagued by defensive lapses, especially with the absence of Encarnacion-Strand.

The Pittsburgh Pirates suffered another setback as they fell to the Cincinnati Reds 5-2, continuing their struggles at the plate. This defeat places the Pirates in the last position in their division. Andrew Heaney pitched for the Pirates, but his performance was marred by a single bad inning where he surrendered a grand slam to Elly De La Cruz, a rising star for the Reds. The Pirates' inability to generate consistent offense remains a significant concern as they aim to salvage the series in the next game.

Elly De La Cruz showcased his talents on his bobblehead night, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The game saw De La Cruz hit a grand slam in the third inning, cementing his status as the star. He also displayed defensive prowess, contributing significantly to the Reds' success. With this win, the Reds secured their second consecutive series victory, improving their season record to 7-8. The standout performance came alongside Andrew Abbott's impressive debut start following an injury layoff, allowing just one run over five innings.

Despite a valiant effort from the Pirates, who managed to close the gap to 4-2 in the seventh inning, the Reds strengthened their position with a crucial run. Abbott claimed his first win of the season, while Elly De La Cruz's grand slam proved pivotal, showing why he's a player to watch moving forward.