Francisco Liriano picked up his first ever regular season victory against the Cincinnati Reds as the Pittsburgh Pirates emerged victorious in a 7-3 contest Tuesday night.
Liriano [10-7] threw six innings and struck out 10 batters, the first time he has punched out a double-digit total of hitters since July 23 against the Washington Nationals. This is also Liriano’s fourth 10-win season of his career.
According to Pirates PR with Liriano’s 10 strikeouts he has 178 on the season. He joins Gerrit Cole as the first Pirates pitching duo that has each amassed 175 strikeouts or more in a season.
A five-run third inning told the story of this contest.
Liriano opened with a leadoff double, his second of the season to help his own cause. Gregory Polanco then singled on a ball which deflected off Brandon Phillips. Liriano scored on the play. After Starling Marte singled, Andrew McCutchen hit a three-run home run, his 21st of the season to place the Pirates up 4-0.
The inning continued with Jung Ho Kang recording a one-out double on a 3-0 pitch. He advanced to third base on a Neil Walker ground out and then scored on a balk from Raisel Iglesias [3-7].
In the eighth, Kang contributed the sixth Pirates run when Collin Balester threw a flat curveball. Kang responded with his 14th home run of the season which carried 447-feet. Balester started the season in the Pirates minor league system.
Polanco led off the ninth inning with a double and three batters later scored when Sean Rodriguez also hit a double.
Mark Melancon pitched the ninth inning, his first appearance of any kind since August 29 and first in a non-save situation since August 22. Jay Bruce singled to lead off the inning and Brayan Pena singled on a ball that deflected off Melancon. Skip Schumaker grounded into a force out which allowed Bruce to score.
After Jason Bourgeois walked, manager Clint Hurdle took out Melancon who was at 25 pitches.
Arquimedes Caminero then came in and allowed Eugenio Suarez to triple in two runs. He did get Joey Votto to strike out, however both Votto and Reds manager Bryan Price discussed the play as they both felt that a foul tip should have been the right call. As the Pirates know from earlier this season, the play is non-reviewable and the game ended on the original call.
This victory assures the Pirates of a third consecutive over-.500 season.
In the game, Aramis Ramirez made his first career start at first base.
The Pirates will conclude the three-game series and nine-game road trip Wednesday evening. J.A. Happ [4-1 1.57 ERA] will face Keyvius Sampson [2-3 6.68 ERA]. Happ is 1-3 with a 6.82 ERA in six career starts against the Reds.
Photo credit: Andy Lyons/Getty Images
