Taiwan’s Cheng Tsung-che continued to show promise in the MLB, even as the Pittsburgh Pirates dropped their third straight game to the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. Despite the 4-0 defeat, Cheng Tsung-che stood out with solid infield plays that helped limit further damage.
Hunter Greene led the Reds with seven dominant innings. He gave up only two hits, struck out eight, and walked just one. His strong performance extended his scoreless streak to 18 and two-thirds innings. Meanwhile, Reds pitchers retired the final 23 Pirates batters.
Cheng Tsung-che, making just his third Major League appearance, showed confidence and quick reactions in the field. In the third inning, he handled a grounder from Gavin Lux and fired it to first base for a crucial out. One inning later, he repeated the effort, denying Spencer Steer from reaching base.
In the seventh, Cheng caught a pop fly from Santiago Espinal. He then added a smooth grab in the eighth to stop Lux again. These key defensive moments from Cheng Tsung-che kept the Pirates from facing a wider deficit.
At the plate, Cheng struggled against Greene, striking out twice in his two at-bats. However, his defensive contributions kept him in the spotlight. He is expected to return to the field Monday as the Pirates begin a four-game series against the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.
Paul Skenes will take the mound for the Pirates. He aims to bounce back from a rough start against the Cardinals last week, when he gave up five runs over six innings.
Pittsburgh continues to suffer on offense. The team has only scored five runs across three games against Cincinnati. With a league-worst team batting average of .184 and a .563 OPS, the Pirates must find answers fast.
Manager Derek Shelton emphasized the need to take advantage of scoring opportunities. General manager Ben Cherington defended Skenes, noting his high standards and potential.
Elsewhere in MLB, Corbin Carroll extended his on-base streak and helped the Diamondbacks defeat the Brewers 5-2. The Padres blanked the Rockies 6-0, and the Cubs outplayed the Dodgers 4-2.
Also on Sunday, the Giants edged the Yankees 5-4, while the Red Sox topped the White Sox 3-1. The Mariners dropped the Rangers 3-1, and the Twins beat the Tigers 5-1.
Despite Pittsburgh’s offensive struggles, Cheng Tsung-che continues to deliver on defense. His quick hands and strong instincts offer hope for fans eager to see a turnaround.
