The offense did (barely) enough tonight in the Pirates' 1-0 win over the Reds at PNC Park, but it's still in the midst of a historic streak. 

The Pirates scored four or fewer runs for the 25th straight game, tying the Brewers (1971) and St. Louis Browns (1907) for the second-longest such streak in Major League Baseball history. It's one behind the all-time high set by the Boston Nationals (1906), Boston Braves (1918, 1931) and California Angels (1969). 

"I think it's something that the guys feel," Don Kelly said of the streak before this one. "Not getting caught up in the stat per se, but how do we continue to strive for better at-bats in those situations when you get guys in scoring position? Continuing to strive for a quality at-bat in that situation instead of trying to go up there and hit a home run." 

On this night, the offense mustered six hits, went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, grounded into three double plays and left nine runners on base. They had multiple opportunities to drive in runs and failed on almost every occasion. The lone conversion came on this Bryan Reynolds single in the sixth inning: 

Oneil Cruz walked and stole his major-league leading 18th base to move into scoring position. Reynolds turned on a 93-mph fastball.

Joey Bart stranded two runners when he hit into an inning-ending double play shortly after. Cruz then did this an inning later with the bases loaded: 

Luis Mey challenged Cruz, who went 0 for 2 with two walks and a strikeout, with four low sinkers. One, on the edge of the zone, was called a strike before Cruz chased and mustered a weakly-hit ground ball. 

"Maybe expanded it a little bit," Kelly said. "But we were trying to get something to drive and maybe went out of the zone a little bit." 

The Pirates are one of the worst teams in the majors with runners in scoring position, hitting .209 (28th) with a .309 slugging percentage (30th) and .634 OPS (26th). They also have the fewest RBIs (102) in those situations, rank 26th in hits (73) and have grounded into the most double plays (18).

"I think these guys want to be the guy that goes up there and gets that big hit," Kelly said tonight. "They are competitors and they want to come through. But, taking that single when we need it (is crucial). It’s going to break through at some point." 

• Dennis Santana has been the primary closer and has converted all four of his save opportunities. However, Kelly went to David Bednar in the ninth.

Kelly said he was focused on the matchup, something he'll do when deciding who will close games. He said he favored Bednar's stuff against the top of the Reds' order. 

"Those are the spots you want to be in," Bednar said after recording his fourth save. "You want to beat those guys and take home a win."

• Spencer Horwitz made his first start at PNC Park and went 2 for 3 with a walk. He's gone 3 for 10 with a walk and strikeout since his arrival. He's made a few good defensive plays and said that his injury is a "blessing in disguise" in that regard.

"I had more time to focus on my defense and it’s showing right now," Horwitz said. "I’m being more consistent out there and working on that first-step quickness.”

Horwitz had been out since the beginning of spring training after undergoing thumb surgery. His thumb is still taped up for extra stability and said he's starting to feel more comfortable at the plate.

"I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous, especially last night with the pinch-hit," Horwitz said. "It’s been eye-opening, It’s been frustrating. It’s been fun. It’s been disappointing. It’s been all of the above. To get to this moment, I’m just super grateful for it all. I’m just happy to be here.”