Homer Bailey was on the mound but it was Pedro Alvarez who made Cincinnati say, Doh!
Alvarez went 3-4 with 5 RBIs, including a bases clearing double in the seventh to give the Pirates a lead they would not relinquish in a 5-3 victory over the Reds.
The Reds got the scoring started in the first on a Joey Votto single that scored Shin Soo Choo. Choo reached base on an Alvarez throwing error to begin the game.
Alvarez atoned for the error in the third inning with a two out single to score Andrew McCutchen.
Jay Bruce hit his second home run in as many days in the 4th, a solo shot off starter Brandon Cumpton.
Cumpton lasted five innings, allowing five hits and one earned run. He struck out three on 90 pitches.
Again, it was Alvarez’s bat that tied the game back up, taking Bailey deep to right field for a 421 foot home run in the 6th.
The game reached its apex in the top of the seventh. Reliever Bryan Morris recorded the first hit of his career with a single into left field. Starling Marte followed suit two batters later and Andrew McCutchen drew a walk on a full count to load the bases.
Alvarez stepped into the batter’s box for the fourth time and promptly drilled a fastball into right field, a standup double that scored all three runners, putting Pittsburgh ahead for good.
“It was a fastball, I was trying to be ready to hit. Tried not to do too much, just put the ball in play and get a base hit. Good things happen,” Alvarez said after the game.
Mark Melancon and Jason Grilli both had the day off but the Pirates’ bullpen still held strong. Morris went two innings allowing just one run. Tony Watson relieved him in the 8th and closed out the game, striking out Ryan Hanigan to pick up his second save of the season.
With the win, the Pirates split the four game series and improve to 43-30 on the year. They remain a half game back of the Reds and 3.5 back from St. Louis.
Pittsburgh continues its road trip tomorrow, traveling to Los Angeles to take on the Angels. Gerrit Cole (2-0, 3.75 ERA) will square off against Jered Weaver (1-3, 4.41 ERA). First pitch is set for 10:05 ET.
NOTES: Cincinnati’s Alfredo Simon took the loss. Alvarez has hit in five straight games with 10 RBIs over that span. With the win, the Pirates’ are 18-17 on the road. Starling Marte had two more hits today and five in series. Michael McKenry threw out two runners. Wandy Rodriguez threw a bullpen session today and is scheduled to begin his rehab with a start at AAA Sunday. The Pirates optioned Alex Presley to AAA Indianpolis and recalled RP Duke Welker.
