Burns throws 5 scoreless, earns first career victory as Reds blank Pirates 2-0

Conner Phillips records first career save as Cincinnati takes third straight win

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:48am

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A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes in the colors of the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates uniforms, capturing the energy and movement of a baseball game in an abstract, deconstructed manner.A cubist interpretation of the intense pitching duel between the Reds and Pirates, with the game's key moments fragmented into a dynamic visual composition.Cincinnati Today

Chase Burns allowed one hit in five innings for his first major league win, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 2-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night. Conner Phillips walked two batters but then retired three straight for his first career save.

Why it matters

The Reds are off to a strong start this season, winning their third straight game behind a dominant pitching performance from the young Burns. The Pirates, meanwhile, are still searching for their first win of the year.

The details

Burns (1-0) walked three and struck out seven, including Jared Triolo with two on and two outs in the fourth. Jose Franco retired five batters before leaving with two on. Graham Ashcraft struck out Henry Davis to end the seventh and fanned two more in a scoreless eighth. Conner Phillips walked Marcell Ozuna and Ryan O'Hearn before retiring three straight for his first career save. Elly De La Cruz singled leading off the fourth against Braxton Ashcraft (0-1) for the Reds but was thrown out trying to steal second. Sal Stewart walked, took third on a single by Eugenio Suárez and scored on a sacrifice fly by Spencer Steer. Suárez scored on a triple by Will Benson to cap the scoring.

  • The game was played on Monday, March 31, 2026.

The players

Chase Burns

A young pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds who earned his first career major league victory with five scoreless innings.

Conner Phillips

A relief pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds who recorded his first career save.

Braxton Ashcraft

The starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who took the loss after giving up two runs over six innings.

Elly De La Cruz

A Cincinnati Reds player who singled and was thrown out trying to steal in the fourth inning.

Sal Stewart

A Cincinnati Reds player who walked twice and scored a run.

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What they’re saying

“Chase Burns allowed one hit in five innings for his first major league win, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 2-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night.”

— The Associated Press

What’s next

The Reds and Pirates will face off again on Tuesday, with Bubba Chandler pitching for the Pirates and Brandon Williamson taking the mound for the Reds.

The takeaway

The Reds' young pitching staff continues to impress, with Burns earning his first career win and Phillips recording his first save. Cincinnati's offense also came through with timely hitting to support the strong pitching performance.