PITTSBURGH — Last September was a nightmare for Kevin Newman.

This one is going much better.

Newman hit a two-run homer with two out in the ninth inning to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 6-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night.

Jake Elmore set up Newman’s game-ending swing with a leadoff single against Raisel Iglesias (3-12). After Erik Gonzalez and Melky Cabrera grounded out, Newman hit a drive into the bleachers in left for his 12th homer.

Newman made his big league debut last August and hit .209 in 31 games. But the 2015 first-round pick looks like he belongs right now.

The 26-year-old Newman also hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning.