The energy was high at Great American Ball Park Friday, April 11, as the Cincinnati Reds took on the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first game of the series. The star of the night was Jeimer Candelario, who hit a two-run homer to help the Reds beat the Pirates 5-3. It was the first win for the Reds in what would become a sweep against the Pirates over the weekend.

Photos by Tony Wagner

Kids stand to sing the National Anthem. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Jeimer Candelario | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Jeimer Candelario crushes a two-run homer in the first inning | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Jeimer Candelario celebrates his home run. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Jeimer Candelario celebrates his home run. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Cincinnati Reds coach J.R. House celebrates Jeimer Candelario’s home run. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Jeimer Candelario celebrates his home run. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Brady Singer winds up for the pitch | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Brady Singer looking for his third straight win of the season. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Brady Singer | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Blake Dunn at bat | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Blake Dunn fouls off a bunt. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Blake Dunn takes a walk. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Elly De La Cruz takes the field. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Elly De La Cruz at shortstop | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Elly De La Cruz coming in to bat. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Elly De La Cruz flips his bat as he flies out to center. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Elly De La Cruz | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Elly De La Cruz | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer score on a wild throw down the third base line. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Elly De La Cruz offers high five. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Gavin Lux takes the field. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
TJ Friedl awaits a pitch. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Christian Encarnacion-Strand records an out at first base. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Hunter Green | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Elly De La Cruz legs out an infield grounder. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Elly De La Cruz steals second base. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Elly De La Cruz jogs for the dugout. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Elly De La Cruz throws runner out at first base. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Elly De La Cruz throws runner out at first base. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Elly De La Cruz throws runner out at first base. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Emilio Pagan pitches a scoreless ninth inning to record a save. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Emilio Pagan pitches a scoreless ninth inning to record a save. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
TJ Friedl celebrates the end of an inning. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Gavni Lux | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Gavin Lux strikes out. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Graham Ashcraft | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Graham Ashcraft throws scoreless seventh and eighth innings | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Jose Trevino frames a strike. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Elly De La Cruz | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Elly De La Cruz staying warm. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
First base coach Collin Cowgill shares the plan with Elly De La Cruz. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Elly De La Cruz | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Santiago Espinal makes a strong throw to first base. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Spencer Steer | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Spencer Steer | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Spencer Steer takes a walk. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
TJ Friedl | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
TJ Friedl | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Blake Dunn squares up a high fast ball | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Bailey Falter winds up for the pitch. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Andrew McCutchen | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Andrew McCutchen | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Bailey Falter looks for his first win. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Elly De La Cruz and Santiago Espinal celebrate the Reds’ 5-3 win at Great American Ball Park. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Elly De La Cruz and TJ Friedl celebrate the Reds’ 5-3 win at Great American Ball Park. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner
Cincinnati Reds improve to 6-8 with 5-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | April 11, 2025 Photo: Tony Wagner