Starling Marte hit a walk-off home run against the Cincinnati Reds Friday night, giving the Pirates a 6-4, 12-inning victory and reducing their magic number for home-field advantage in the wild-card game to one.
Gregory Polanco walked against Collin Balester in the 12th inning. Marte hit the first pitch over the Clemente Wall in right field.
The Reds entered Friday’s game on a 12-game losing streak, scoring 28 runs and allowing 83 during that span. They had not scored more than three runs in six games. The Pirates needed to beat this Reds team to come closer to ensuring the wild-card game stays in Pittsburgh.