Tony Watson allowed an uncharacteristic three runs in relief allowing the Reds to comeback from down 5-1 to beat the Pirates 6-5 on Friday night.
The Pirates (48-45) were able to jump on Reds starter Matt Latos in the fourth inning. With one out, Andrew McCutchen deposited his 15th home run of the season into the right-center seats to tie things at one. Three batters later, Pedro Alvarez matched McCutchen with his 15th — a three run shot to right — to give the Bucs a 4-1 lead. Russell Martin added a RBI single in the sixth to extend the lead.
After allowing the Reds (50-43) to score two batters into the game, Jeff Locke shut things down over the next five innings until his last in the seventh when he allowed two runs to score to cut the deficit to 5-3. The runs were unearned however, as Pedro Alvarez started the inning with a throwing error allowing the Reds back into the game.
The Reds then took control in the eighth after the Pirates were unable to capitalize on a bases loaded situation in the top of the inning. After getting a quick first two outs, Tony Watson came unglued giving up a solo home run to Devin Mesoraco and then four straight singles allowing the Reds to take the lead.
Aroldis Chapman worked an easy ninth by striking out Jordy Mercer, Michael Martinez and Matt Hague to end things. Chapman set a Major League record in the game by recording at least one strikeout in 40 straight appearances.
Watson’s blown save is the 15th by a Pirates reliever this season which matches the total from all of last season.
Final Score: Reds 6, Pirates 5.
Starters Lines
Locke (ND): 6 1/3 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 5 K’s. 97 Pitches (64 Strikes).
Latos (ND): 5 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K’s, 2 HR. 74 Pitches (47 Strikes).
The Pirates will look to rebound tomorrow evening.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(RHP) Charlie Morton (PIT): 5-9, 3.10 ERA
(RHP) Mike Leake (CIN): 7-7, 3.42 ERA
First pitch is set for 7:15 on FOX.
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(Photo Credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
