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Cingrani, Ludwick help Reds take series from Pirates

Apr 24, 2014 - 10:27 PM Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Tony Cingrani tossed six strong innings and Ryan Ludwick hit the go-ahead two-run double in the sixth inning as Cincinnati claimed a 2-1 victory over Pittsburgh in the finale of a four-game series.

Cingrani (2-2) gave up a run on six hits with two walks while fanning seven for the Reds, who won the final three games in the set and have taken seven of nine overall.

"The pitching was outstanding today. Pitching wins championships. Those guys did an outstanding job. We keep getting pitching like that, we'll be back in this thing in a hurry," said Ludwick.

Pedro Alvarez knocked in the lone run of the contest for the Pirates, losers in eight of their last 10.

Recalled from Triple-A prior to the contest, Brandon Cumpton (0-1) pitched well in defeat, charged with only four hits and two runs over seven full frames.

Cincinnati moved ahead in the sixth. Joey Votto was plunked to start the frame, then moved up on a groundout. Todd Frazier was also hit, then Ludwick's double to center scored both for a 2-1 game.

"I let a couple of pitches get away from me in that sixth inning, and it kind of hurt me," Cumpton said. "I was being aggressive, going in -- and a couple of those [hit batters] were with two strikes. But that's going to happen -- I pitch inside a lot. Unfortunately, it came back to haunt me today."

Cingrani allowed a pair of singles in the home half, to Gaby Sanchez and Jose Tabata, but completed his outing by retiring Jordy Mercer on a foul out and Chris Stewart to a fly to center.

Logan Ondrusek tossed a scoreless seventh, Sam LeCure struck out the side in the eighth and Jonathan Broxton retired the side in order in the ninth for his fourth save.

The Bucs picked up their only run in the first, as Neil Walker drew a one-out base on balls, moved up on Andrew McCutchen's infield single and scored on an Alvarez infield single to second.

Game Notes

Cincinnati, which improved to 5-2 on its current 10-game road trip, completes it beginning Friday in Atlanta ... Pittsburgh heads to St. Louis to start a five-game road wing on Friday ... Cingrani has worked at least six innings in four of his five starts this season ... The Bucs optioned pitcher Jared Hughes to Indianapolis to make room for Cumpton, who went 2-1 with a 2.05 ERA in six appearances (five starts) for Pittsburgh last season.