PIRATES

There's no question that the Pirates have needed more in terms of offensive production from Marcell Ozuna and Henry Davis this season. The former is making $12 million and has the fourth-worst OPS (.504) among all qualified hitters in Major League Baseball, while the latter is a former No. 1 overall pick who has never truly found his form at the plate. 

They've contributed less than probably any two regulars but, on this night, they were steering the ship, as they combined for three home runs to help the Pirates put an end to a five-game losing streak with a 9-1 win over the Reds at PNC Park. 

Ozuna hit his third home run of the season into the seats in right-center in the fifth inning and Davis had his first two of the season. It was his second career multi-homer game, the other coming July 21, 2023, against Shohei Ohtani in Anaheim, Calif.

"Definitely made some adjustments today but really continuing to work, work as hard as I can to be a good hitter, try to be all ears," said Davis, who also drove in three runs for the first time in his big-league career. "It was a good day." 

The Pirates received contributions up and down their lineup tonight. Ryan O'Hearn, who has been as consistent as any hitter in all of baseball this season, contributed with two hits, while Bryan Reynolds registered yet another multi-hit performance. Nick Gonzales went 3 for 4 to extend his on-base streak to 12 games and push his batting average to .333, a figure that ranks tied for fourth in the majors. Those guys have had plenty of good moments this season. Ozuna and Davis have had very few nights like tonight. That's what makes it so significant. If they find a way to make nights like this less of a rarity, it will only add to a lineup that has already looked more formidable than in years past. 

"It just makes us that much deeper," Reynolds said. "Good swings tonight by both of them. Obviously, Henry had a big night, hit a homer like Adrian Beltre. It was great to see."