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Reds don't allow a hit, still lose to Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates didn't log a hit on Sunday.

But they still managed to win.

Led by rookie Hunter Greene, the Cincinnati Reds held the Pirates without a hit for eight innings. But Rodolfo Castro walked in the eighth and eventually scored the game's only run in a 1-0 Pirates win. The Reds failed to counter with a run in the top of the ninth inning, meaning the Pirates didn't need to take the plate in the bottom half.

PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 15: Hunter Greene #21 of the Cincinnati Reds delivers a pitch in the first inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on May 15, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
Seven-plus innings of no-hit work wasn't enough for Hunter Greene to secure a win on Sunday. (Justin Berl/Getty Images) (Justin Berl via Getty Images)

Fielder's choice secures unlikely win for Pirates

Greene took the mound for the eighth inning with a no-hitter intact. He induced a groundout from Jack Suwinski to start the inning. He then walked Castro with one out and issued another walk to Michael Perez to leave runners at first and second with one out.

Reliever Art Warren replaced Greene after the back-to-back walks and proceeded to issue a walk to Ben Gamel to load the bases. Ke'Bryan Hayes then grounded out to second base, but the Reds couldn't turn the double play, allowing Castro to score the game's only run on a fielder's choice.

Reds batters Tommy Pham, Mike Moustakas and TJ Friedl went down in order in the top of the ninth, ending the game.

Despite not allowing a hit, Greene took the loss thanks to putting Castro on base with a walk. The Reds became the first team since 2008 to lose a game despite not allowing a hit. With the loss, they fell to an MLB-worst 9-26. The Pirates, meanwhile, became the sixth MLB team since 1901 to secure victory without logging a hit.

Greene: 'It is what it is'

Greene, 22, joined the Reds rotation this season as Cincinnati's top prospect and the No. 21-ranked prospect in all of baseball, per MLB. He was outstanding while making his seventh MLB start. Through 7.1 innings, he struck out nine Pirates batters while allowing five baserunners via walks. Instead of posting his second career win, he drops to 1-6 with a hard-luck loss that goes down in the MLB record books.

After the game, he told Bally Sports Cincinnati that he was trying to focus on the positive from Sunday's game.

"I'm not focused on wins or losses this year, "Greene told Bally Sports Cincinnati. "That's not my focus. It is what it is. I felt really good about where all my pitches were and very confident in myself.

"It's hard on the mental side not to let your mind drift to that accolade. But, it is what it is. I think you've got to embrace all the thoughts and emotions of that moment and just go out and have fun."

Reliever Chris Stratton recorded the win for the Pirates after pitching a scoreless eighth inning. David Bednar earned his seventh save thanks to a 1-2-3 ninth inning. Jose Quintana started the game for Pittsburgh, allowing three Reds hits while issuing one walk through seven innings of work.