In one of the most stunning events ever, the Pittsburgh Pirates completed the largest comeback in the franchise’s near 150 year history on Saturday night, capping off a 13-12 win against the Cincinnati Reds.

The Pirates were down 9-0 after the third inning, after giving up 3 runs in the first, 5 in the second, and 1 in the third, and had not recorded a single hit in their first three innings up to bat.

Pittsburgh knocked in a single run in the fourth inning, then really started to come alive starting in the sixth. Pittsburgh exploded for 5 runs in the sixth and 3 in the seventh to tie the game at 9-9. Then, they continued their magic in the eighth, raking in 4 runs on Reds closer Alexis Díaz.

Great American Ballpark erupted in jeers and boos as fans had grown restless at watching Cincinnati’s lead evaporate.

But the Reds weren’t going down in the history books without a good fight. The stadium would soon be trading those boos for equally loud cheers as the Reds took advantage of rookie Colin Selby, earning 2 runs off 3 hits from him.

A wild pitch by Selby, an error by Ji Hwan Bae, and a bobble by Jared Triolo all helped the Reds climb back into the game.

Bae would redeem himself, however, sliding to nab a groundball shot that looked destined for the outfield. Bae was able to complete the double play to end the inning and any further damage.

Starting pitcher Bailey Falter was taken to the cleaners in this game, allowing 9 hits and 8 runs, surviving just 2.0 innings before Kyle Nicolas had to come into the game.

It was a night of firsts not only for the franchise, but for several pitchers coming out of the Pirate bullpen too.

Former Reds pitcher Dauri Moreta, still fresh off his call-up back to the major league level, pitched 2.2 innings in relief, the longest he’s ever pitched in his MLB career. Moreta completely shut down the Reds, allowing 0 hits and striking out 3.

Jose Hernandez, who came in as relief for Moreta, earned his first career major league win.

Rookie Carmen Mlodzinski recorded his first career save, pitching a high stakes ninth inning that saw the Reds get 2 hits and 1 run. Mlodzinski struck out Elly De La Cruz on an 11-pitch at-bat.

As for the Pirates bats, Alfonso Rivas led the way with 5 RBIs, tying his major league career high. Ji Hwan Bae and Bryan Reynolds also had 3 RBIs, with the latter slamming a 3 run homer to make the game 9-6.

Jared Triolo had a team-leading 4 hits in this game as well, helping power the electrifying Bucco comeback.

The Pirates were officially eliminated from playoff contention earlier today, but they didn’t let that stop them from playing their hearts out, as they’ve done in countless games during the stretch as the 2023 season winds down.

And it also hasn’t stopped them from causing chaos across the NL Wild Card race, either. Cincinnati’s loss is detrimental to their playoff hopes, and the Reds will hope to avoid a disastrous series sweep on Sunday.

The Reds have blown 9-0 leads and lost twice before in franchise history, but this was the first time they had done it in Cincinnati.

The Pirates had erased several 8-run deficits in franchise history before, but had never come back and won from a 9-run deficit.