Pirates 2, Reds 1: Rookie Matt Hague doubled off the wall in center to drive in the tying and go-ahead runs in the sixth inning and A.J. Burnett did not allow an earned run over seven innings of two-hit ball as host Pittsburgh claimed two of three from National League Central leader Cincinnati.
Burnett (4-2) gave up an unearned run in the first inning when Zack Cozart led off with a ground-rule double, moved up on an error by third baseman Pedro Alvarez and scored on Brandon Phillips' sacrifice fly. The Reds didn't manage another hit until Chris Heisey's leadoff single in the seventh, as Burnett was in total control while winning his third straight start.
Jason Grilli pitched around a walk in a scoreless eighth and Joel Hanrahan stranded two runners in the ninth for his 13th save. Hanrahan allowed one-out singles to Heisey and Joey Votto before striking out Miguel Cairo and Ryan Hanigan.
The first-inning run held up until the sixth, when Neil Walker drew a walk to start a two-out rally. Garrett Jones followed with a single to right, and Hague drove a 2-1 pitch from Reds starter Johnny Cueto off the wall in center.
Cueto (5-3) posted his eighth quality start in 11 outings this season but still lost for the third time in four appearances. He allowed two runs on five hits over seven innings with five strikeouts and four walks.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Cueto fell to 11-4 in 17 starts against Pittsburgh. … The Reds lost for just the third time in 12 games. Pittsburgh has won five of six. … Hague entered the game with only three career RBIs.
Cincinnati | Pittsburgh | |
Johnny Cueto | Player | A.J. Burnett |
Loss | W/L | Win |
7.0 | IP | 7.0 |
5 | Strikeouts | 3 |
5 | Hits | 2 |
2.57 | ERA | 0.00 |
Cincinnati | Pittsburgh | |
Chris Heisey | Player | Garrett Jones |
2 | Hits | 2 |
0 | RBI | 0 |
0 | HR | 0 |
2 | TB | 4 |
.500 | Avg | .667 |
Team | Hits | HR | TB | Avg | LOB | K | RBI | BB | SB | Errors |
Cincinnati | 4 | 0 | 5 | .133 | 13 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Pittsburgh | 5 | 0 | 8 | .172 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 |