Restless Pittsburgh Pirates fans waited out a long rain delay however over 4.5 hours into its game against the Cincinnati Reds, the patience did not pay off.
Brandon Phillips hit his fourth home run of the season in the 13th inning off Rob Scahill [2-4] allowing the Reds to win 5-4.
The Pirates had numerous opportunities to get a go-ahead or game-winning hit however the ball did not carry and instead made loud outs.
“I feel like there were balls hit today that a lot of times go out but they didn’t,” Andrew McCutchen said. “[Jordy] Mercer against Chapman, [Gregory] Polanco against Chapman, me against [Villarreal]. Those balls normally get out but it’s just been dead air and it’s been like that here. You hate that but we had chances and opportunities other than that. We weren’t able to finish.”
The Reds struck first once again in the first inning. Phillips reached base by error to lead off the game and then stole second base. A Joey Votto ground out advanced Phillips to third and he scored on a Todd Frazier single. Burnett pitched himself out of a jam stranding runners on the corners with a force out and a strikeout.
An additional Reds run was scored in the second inning. With two outs, Billy Hamilton singled and stole second base, his 36th of the season. Phillips then singled the run home.
A three-run bottom of the second was the Pirates response. As was the case with the Reds, the Pirates did all of their scoring with two outs. Jordy Mercer’s ground rule double scored Jung Ho Kang who reached base because of a force out. Burnett then helped his own cause with a single that plated two. The hit gave Burnett four RBI on the season which is a career high.
The Pirates scored another run in the sixth inning on a Francisco Cervelli single to right. It was another two-out hit.
Burnett allowed a base runner in each of his six innings and threw 110 pitches, one off his season high. He left with a chance for the win however allowing two runs [one earned] on eight hits. Burnett ultimately earned a no-decision.
Arquimedes Caminero came on in relief and was promptly welcomed by a Joey Votto single and error by Josh Harrison which allowed the Reds first baseman to advance to third. Frazier then hit his 24th home run of the season tying the game.
In the eighth inning the Pirates had an opportunity to retake the lead. Phillips thwarted an early attempt with a no-look behind the back double play, however Kang restarted the rally with a single and pinch-hitter Starling Marte with a single of his own. Cervelli hit a line drive that was caught by a running Marlon Byrd.
Mark Melancon escaped a jam in the top half of the ninth inning and then the Pirates went to work on Ryan Mattheus. Mercer reached base on Suarez’s second error of the game, Sean Rodriguez bunted him into scoring position and an infield single from Harrison continued the push. Gregory Polanco’s force out advanced Mercer to third. Mattheus elected to pitch to Andrew McCutchen and retired him on a fly out to right field.
In the bottom of the 12th inning with Pedro Villarreal [1-2] on the mound, McCutchen led off with a double off the left field wall. Neil Walker was then intentionally walked. He ultimately was stranded there. Neil Walker was intentionally walked and Kang lined out to first base which resulted in a double play. Pinch-hitter Jose Tabata walked but a Cervelli ground out ended the threat.
Villarreal also pitched the 13th inning earning his first major league win. The Reds 17 hits were a season high.
“All in all, it was game [that went] back and forth. We haven’t been too many that have gotten away from us in the seventh,” said manager Clint Hurdle. “Both teams had opportunities until that 12th when Phillips rode one out of the ballpark. There is not a lot of room for error late when you are on the mound.”
The Pirates will begin a three-game weekend series with the Atlanta Braves with Francisco Liriano [4-6 3.26 ERA] facing Williams Perez [4-0 2.78 ERA]. Liriano is 2-1 with a 4.00 ERA in three career starts against the Braves.
Photo courtesy: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
