Noelvi Marte robbed Bryan Reynolds of a tying home run in the ninth inning, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 Thursday to move within a half-game of the New York Mets for the final NL wild card.

The Cincinnati Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 to move within a half-game of the New York Mets for the final NL wild card.

Leading 2-1 in the top of the ninth, Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Bryan Reynolds lifted a fly ball to right field that looked like it could have gone over the wall to tie the game. Reds right fielder Noelvi Marte drifted back and leaped at the wall,

The Reds are one game back of the New York Mets who own the final NL playoff position entering games of Sept. 25.

The Cincinnati Reds will try to salvage the finale of a three-game home series against the last-place Pittsburgh Pirates and keep pace in the National League wild-card race in a Thursday matinee.

The Pittsburgh Pirates lost a late lead to the Cincinnati Reds, but came out on top in extra innings in a 4-3 win at Great American Ball Park. The

In four career starts against the Reds, the Pirates' Paul Skenes has posted a 0.39 ERA with two walks and 33 strikeouts.