Pittsburgh– The Reds put a seven-spot in the third inning against Edinson Volquez to give them an 11-4 victory over the Pirates on Wednesday evening.
The Reds (35-35) scored first in the second inning when Skip Schumaker knocked in Jay Bruce with a sac fly. The Reds left a runner on third in the inning after Volquez got a strikeout and flyout to end the inning.
The Reds added four more in the third when Todd Frazier and Joey Votto reached on back-to-back singles. Volquez then unhitched a wild pitch scoring Frazier. Brandon Phillips, Schumaker and Zach Cozart followed with a two RBI singles and a RBI double to bump Volquez from the game after 2 1/3 innings.
“I had no feel for the ball and was struggling with all my pitches,” said Volquez. “It was one of those days where you felt like you had nothing going to compete in the game.”
Reds starter Alfredo Simon followed with a nubber back to reliever Stolmy Pimentel. Pimentel threw home for the force, however, Crew Chief Jerry Layne went to review and the umpires in New York City declared the runner safe due to rule 7.13 stating the blocking of the plate is not allowed –apparently, even if the catcher needs his foot on the plate for the force out. Clint Hurdle came out to argue the call and was ejected. The Reds added two more on after the call to pull ahead 8-0 after three innings.
“I don’t think there’s an adjustment to be made in that situation,” said Russell Martin. “When there becomes a force play there should be something in there where you don’t have to abide by the same rules as a tag play. That’s the only way I can see it from not being an issue.”
Pimentel and Jeanmar Gomez worked the next five innings allowing a run on five hits to help the bullpen out.
Travis Snider then pitched the ninth allowing two runs on one hit before striking out Votto swinging on a 77 mph changeup(?) to end the inning.
“It was fun,” said Snider. “Tough day for the ERA, but I settled down there and was able to throw some strikes when it mattered with [Votto] there. I’ll remember that one forever. I felt like the changeup was working pretty well, but I was having a tough time locating the fastball.”
The Pirates (34-37) scratched three runs across thanks to RBI singles by Gregory Polanco — who extended his career-starting hit streak with the Pirates to eight games which ties a club record held by Spencer Adams, who did so in 1923 — and Starling Marte. Jose Tabata added a sac fly.
Final Score: Reds 11, Pirates 4.
Starters Lines
Volquez: 2 1/3 IP, 6 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 3 BB, 2 K’s, 1 HBP, 2 WP. 64 Pitches (35 Strikes).
Simon: 6 1/3 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 IBB, 5 K’s, 2 HBP. 111 Pitches (70 Strikes).
The Pirates will look to salvage a game from the three-game set tomorrow afternoon.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(LHP) Jeff Locke (PIT): 0-1, 3.98 ERA
(RHP) Homer Bailey (CIN): 7-3, 4.68 ERA
First pitch is set for 12:35.
(Photo Credit: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
