Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Bailey Falter delivers during the second inning of the team's baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

CINCINNATI — Elly De La Cruz had a home run, double and single on Monday night to lead the Cincinnati Reds to an 11-5 win over the Pirates in the teams’ series opener at Great American Ballpark.

Cruz’ homer was a blast well over the center field fence that broke the game open.

Pirate starter Bailey Falter tossed three scoreless innings to begin the game, but was nicked for five runs in the fourth as Cincinnati took a 5-1 lead. The Reds never lost that advantage.

Bryan Reynolds had a run-scoring single early in the game to extend his hitting streak to 22 straight contests. It is the longest hitting streak by a Pirate since Jason Kendall had a 23-game streak in 2003.

The Pirates and Reds are both 37-41 on the season and continue their three-game series Tuesday night.

Technical difficulties by The Associated Press late Monday prevented further details on this story.