After a successful homestand, the Pirates embarked on game one of a nine-game road trip today against the Cincinnati Reds. Taking the hill for the Pirates was Francisco Liriano, beneficiary of 12 runs last time he was out. This time, in the launching pad, the Pirates were able to muster just one run in its 4-1 loss to the Red Legs.
Liriano gave up just two runs over six innings, but the Pirates were unable to get the bats going. In the other dugout, the home team took advantage of the launching pad that is Great American Ballpark. Zack Cozart and Todd Frazier both hit moonshots off Liriano, the latter would prove to be all they would need in the game. For insurance, Joey Votto and Jay Bruce both hit solo shots in the eighth inning to push the lead to 4-1. The Pirates lone run came via Russell Martin’s single, which drove Andrew McCutchen in from first base.
As is usually the story between these two teams, there was yet another hit batter. It was, again, McCutchen. In the ninth, Aroldis Chapman came on to pitch for the save, but not before throwing a 100-mile per hour pitch high-and-tight to Neil Walker. Tomorrow, Mat Latos (6-0, 3.08 ERA) will put his undefeated record on the line against Charlie Morton (0-1, 3.60 ERA). Whether it’s before first-pitch or right after, one has to assume that the warnings from the umpires will come. Is that enough to stop the beanball battle between the two?
Photo Credits: Getty Images
