Chris Heisey hit a game-tying two-run home run off of Francisco Liriano and a game-winning homer off of Jared Hughes as the Reds salvaged a game from the Pirates with a 3-2 victory on Sunday afternoon.
Heisey’s two-run shot in the fifth was the first major blip on Liriano’s line as the Pirates starter allowed one hit — a Todd Frazier single in the fourth– through four innings. Liriano started the fifth with a walk to Ryan Ludwick and Heisey followed with the tying blow into the left field bleachers.
The Reds (66-71) couldn’t do anything more against Liriano as the lefty settled down to work scoreless innings in the sixth and seventh before ending the day with a season-high 111 pitches while allowing five hits and striking out five.
“I thought Frankie gave us a really good effort,” said manager Clint Hurdle. “A really good outing. Solid through four. One pitch was elevated for the two-run homer in the fifth. He got stretched out a little bit in the fifth and then answered in the sixth and seventh. A real, real good start.”
Jared Hughes (6-5) worked a scoreless eighth and returned for the ninth where Heisey struck again. Hughes offered a decent 1-1 sinker that the Cincinnati right fielder was able to hit just inside of the left field foul pole for the Reds first lead since being up 1-0 in the eighth inning on Friday.
“The pitch to Heisey was a little in off the plate,” said Hughes. “I think he just brought his hands in and hit the pitch well.”
The Pirates (71-65) got out to an early 2-0 lead thanks to solo shots by Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer. Harrison took the first pitch of the bottom of the first into the left field seats. Mercer followed an inning later with an almost identical blow giving Reds start Johnny Cueto flashbacks of last October’s NL Wild Card game.
Cueto calmed down after the Mercer homer going eight strong innings while scattering nine hits and striking out six.
Aroldis Chapman worked a perfect ninth inning while striking out two for his 29th save of the season.
Final Score: Reds 3, Pirates 2.
The Pirates take two-of-three from the Reds and four-of-six in the homestand heading into a 10-game road trip.
“We’re looking forward to playing,” said Hurdle. “We’re looking forward to continuing the grind, grit things out and show up. It’s what’s next for us and we’re looking forward to the opportunity. We got to match up and go.”
Starters Lines
Liriano (ND): 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K’s, 1 WP, 1 HR. 111 Pitches (67 Strikes).
Cueto (W, 16-8): 8 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K’s, 2 HR. 113 Pitches (81 Strikes).
They will now travel to St. Louis for a pivotal three-game series against the Cardinals.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(RHP) Gerrit Cole (PIT): 7-4, 3.65 ERA
(RHP) Lance Lynn (STL): 14-8, 2.79 ERA
First pitch is set for 2:15 EST.
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(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
