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LaRoches help Pirates down Reds

Sep 4, 2008 - 3:13 AM CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Adam and Andy LaRoche each drove in a run in the eighth inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds, 6-5, on Wednesday.

Ryan Doumit collected two hits and two RBI for the Pirates, who will attempt to complete a series sweep on Thursday.

Adam LaRoche, who had a broken-bat RBI single in the sixth, gave Pittsburgh a 5-4 lead in the decisive eighth with a run-scoring base hit into right field off reliever Jeremy Affeldt (1-1). The younger LaRoche, Andy, struck one batter later, lining an RBI single into left-center to provide a two-run cushion.

"(Adam LaRoche) is a threat at the plate," Pirates manager Jack Russell said. "He can do some things, and tonight he got a few hits on balls that were not the hardest hit balls (but dropped anyway)."

Tyler Yates (5-4) earned the win after retiring the final two batters in the seventh. Pittsburgh rookie Ross Ohlendorf gave up four runs and seven hits over six frames in his first career start.

"I was happy with the way I pitched and I am really glad that the team won," Ohlendorf said. "The only thing that was a little frustrating was that our offense was quiet because Volquez is a great pitcher, but when we did score I would give it right back. So that was a little frustrating."

Cincinnati starter Edinson Volquez yielded four runs and six hits, but struck out a career-high 13 over seven innings.

"(I could see) why he has won 16 games," Russell said of Volquez. "He has a great changeup, and he really started using his breaking ball later in the game to keep you off balance. Then, he still throws 95 (miles per hour). So it's a tough mix."

"Edinson threw the ball well," Reds manager Dusty Baker added. "He was either striking them out, or at one point they were getting hits off of him. But he gave us what we needed and we were in the ballgame (when he left)."

The Reds cut the deficit to 6-5 in the eighth but left the bases loaded when pinch hitter Andy Phillips struck out to end the frame. After Pirates reliever Denny Bautista retired the first two batters, he walked Edwin Encarnacion and was replaced by John Grabow.

Grabow walked Jay Bruce and surrendered an infield single to Jolbert Cabrera to load the bases. Grabow then walked in a run before striking out Phillips.

Pittsburgh closer Matt Capps pitched a scoreless ninth for his 19th save of the season.

Rookies Joey Votto and Chris Dickerson each hit a solo home run of the Reds.