Bryan Reynolds singles in return to lineup

Reynolds did his damage off of Nationals’ starter Cade Cavalli in the third inning, clobbering a 1-1 changeup for a 399-foot (100.9-mph EV) solo shot that increased the Pirates’ early advantage to 4-0. He’s having another solid all-around season at the plate, slashing .282/.393/.474 with 13 homers, 56 RBI and six stolen bases. It’s amazing what an improved supporting cast on offense can do.

Reynolds hit his 12th homer of the season off Nationals starter Foster Griffin in the third inning to give the Pirates their first run of the night. Later, as the Pirates attempted to come back from an eight run deficit in the ninth inning against the Nationals bullpen, Reynolds would double to drive home Brandon Lowe from second to cut the Nats’ lead to 9-3. Reynolds has now hit safely in three-straight games and is slashing a respectable .288/.373/.475 over his last 15 games.

Reynolds’ homer was his 11th of the year. Seven of those have come in his last 22 games, with Reynolds hitting .338 during the span. At .287/.400/.484 overall, he should have a shot at going to his third All-Star Game.

Reynolds didn’t play Friday because of left groin discomfort. He’s starting in left field and batting third tonight.

He’s considered day-to-day. Esmerlyn Valdez replaced Reynolds in Friday’s lineup in left field and he’ll bat seventh against Rockies’ left-hander Kyle Freeland.

Reynolds had himself quite the day in Sacramento, starting with a base hit in the first inning. He then knocked another single and scored a run in the fourth before taking Jack Perkins deep for a solo homer in the sixth. Reynolds did it again in the seventh, taking Hogan Harris deep for a two-run blast. The 31-year-old outfielder is enjoying a bounce-back season, hitting .280/.400/.470 with 10 homers, 49 runs scored, and 45 RBI across 320 plate appearances.

Reynolds went deep for the first time since May 29. He also doubled against lefty reliever Tanner Scott with the Pirates trailing by 10 runs in the ninth inning. The 31-year-old has been ice-cold at the plate since the calendar flipped to June, going 4-for-26 over his last seven games.

Reynolds smacked a two-out double off of Colin Rea in the opening inning, but never advanced past second base. He then walloped a 400-foot (106.6 mph EV) solo shot off of Rea to start the sixth, pulling the Pirates to within two runs at 3-1. With the two-hit attack, the 31-year-old outfielder is now slashing .272/.391/.426 with five homers, 35 RBI and four swipes on the season.

Reynolds opened the scoring in the first inning as he drove in a run with a fielder’s choice. He then delivered a go-ahead two-run single in the fifth inning that gave the Pirates a two-run lead they would never relinquish. The 31-year-old outfielder is off to another very strong start at the plate this season, slashing .266/.392/.418 with three homers, 15 runs scored, 15 RBI and one stolen base in his first 97 plate appearances.

Billy Cook will start in left field and bat ninth on Thursday. There’s a left-hander on the mound, but Reynolds is a switch-hitter and has 27 plate appearances this season against lefties, so this is not a platoon situation. He is a better hitter against right-handed pitching, so there’s a chance that the Pirates get him more off days when lefties are on the mound, but that will be within his normal rest. Reynolds is off to a solid start to the season, hitting .288/.400/.470 with three home runs, 12 RBI, and a 49 percent hard-hit rate. He could still be a bit of a buy-low target if people are focused too much on his poor 2025 season.