Cincinnati (51-44) defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates (49-46) to take the three-game series, ending the season’s first half heading into the All-Star break.
The Reds won 6-3, earning an early lead on a three-run home run by rookie Kris Negron who was playing at second base for the injured Brandon Phillips. After a 56-minute rain delay in the fifth inning when the score was 3-1, the Reds maintained a lead throughout despite a couple of comebacks and one-run deficits. Neil Walker drove in a run in the fourth on a ground ball and, in the fifth, Josh Harrison drove home Pedro Alvarez after play resumed following the delay.
Devin Mesoraco answered in the bottom of the fifth with a run-scoring double, but in the sixth, Neil Walker hit his 13th home run to make it 4-3, Reds. Todd Frazier delivered the big blow in the bottom half of that inning, hitting a two-run home run to extend the lead. Cincinnati’s bullpen threw three perfect scoreless innings to take the game and the series.
Francisco Liriano, in his return from the DL, allowed three runs in four innings before he was lifted for a pinch hitter in the top of the fifth. He was not particularly sharp and was lucky to allow only those runs after serving up six walks and three hits. He struck out four and took 94 pitches to get the 12 outs in four innings. He is now 1-7 on the season with a 4.72 ERA.
Johnny Cueto (10-6) surprisingly came back after the delay to complete six innings, allowing three runs on five hits. With ten wins and a 2.13 ERA, he will attend All-Star festivities in Minnesota this week, but likely will not participate since he pitched today.
Speaking of the All-Star Game, Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen will join utilityman Josh Harrison and reliever Tony Watson to represent the black and gold. Manager Clint Hurdle is also going to be there, joining Cardinals manager Mike Matheny on the National League staff.
The Pirates return to action on Friday at PNC Park for a homestand against the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers. They are currently fourth in a tight NL Central race, 3.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers (53-43).
