The Pirates finished off last night’s suspended game with a Russell Martin RBI single for an 8-7 victory in game 1 of a 3-game set against the Reds.
Andrew McCutchen scored the decisive run off of a Russell Martin RBI single in the top of the seventh to regain a one run advantage. Tony Watson, Mark Melancon and Jason Grilli (Save #) would shut the Reds offense down to close things out.
Final Score: Pirates 8, Reds 7
The second game didn’t go as smoothly as the Reds stuck starter Gerrit Cole with five runs — two home runs — over six innings. This was the first time in 23 starts that Cole gave up multiple homers in a single game.
The two teams traded runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings before the Reds got to Cole in the sixth.
Cole walked Jay Bruce to start the inning before Todd Frazier hit his second home run of the series to give the Reds a 3-2 lead. Cincinnati starter Mike Leake the helped himself later in the inning with a 2-run shot to extend the lead to 5-2.
The Pirates would attempt a comeback, but a 2-run single by Devin Mesoraco against Justin Wilson would seal the deal.
Neil Walker hit a 2-run homer in the eighth to finish the scoring.
Final Score: Reds 7, Pirates 5
Starter’s Lines
Cole (L, 2-1): 6 IN, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 3 K’s, 2 HR, 1 WP. 98 Pitches (62 Strikes).
Leake (W, 2-1): 6 2/3 IN, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 8 K’s. 110 Pitches (73 Strikes).
These two will be back for the rubber match of this 3-game series tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is set for 12:35.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(LHP) Francisco Liriano (PIT): 0-2, 4.00 ERA
(RHP) Johnny Cueto (CIN): 0-2, 2.14 ERA
Follow @TBerardi_OVA
(Photo Credit: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
