Bryan

Reynolds

Reynolds was the only Pirates hitter to find success on Saturday against the Angels. He knocked a base hit in the first inning, then led off the fourth with a walk. After another base hit in the sixth, he took Luke Murphy deep for a solo homer in the eighth to give Pittsburgh their only run. The 31-year-old outfielder is hitting .267/.373/.429 with 16 homers, 96 runs scored, 67 RBI, and nine steals across 624 plate appearances.

Reynolds got the scoring started in the first inning, driving in Esmerlyn Valdez with a double before coming around to score on a Brandon Lowe hit. The Pirates went on to total nine hits against Boston starter Patrick Sandoval and took the series after dropping their previous seven. The 31-year-old has had a strong campaign, but he’s scuffled a bit in the second half. A big series against the Red Sox has helped get his numbers back on track.

Working to break his recent skid, Reynolds put up two hits as the Pirates fell to the Mets here. Along with those hits, he had three hard-hit balls and he saw the ball well all night. Despite a poor .605 OPS over his last 15 games, he’s enjoyed a great bounce back season with 15 home runs, seven stolen bases, and a .267/.377/.442 slash line through 118 games as he paces to play the full 162 for the first time in his career.

Reynolds was one of the year’s biggest All-Star snubs, but if the start of his second half is any indication, it might not look so bad at season’s end. He’s 4-for-24 with no RBI and 13 strikeouts in six games since the break.

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 was lifted for a pinch-runner following a ninth-inning single in a one-run ballgame. The 31-year-old corner outfielder returned to Pittsburgh’s lineup following a one-game absence due to left groin discomfort. He’s been sensational at the dish for a couple weeks, slashing .333/.425/.602 with six homers, 22 RBI and two steals over his last 30 games.

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.